Flower Symbolism – Orchid Arrangement 04/08/2022

I went into the floral area of Met Market, as I always do, but without any idea what I might be drawn to. I was disappointed when I didn’t feel drawn to any one flower. Then suddenly, I saw orchids in my mind. I went inside, talked to Shell, one of the florists, and chose my flowers. I came back to get the arrangement and saw a different orchid variety I had to have. The arrangement was difficult to put together, but that just added to the symbolism of this arrangement, for me.

This arrangement consists of the more common noble dendrobium orchid, the crimson cattleya orchid, which would be considered rare or exotic, monstera deliciosa (swiss cheese plant) and I used some leaves from my peace lily as filler. The arrangement universally symbolizes, peace, love and change. Endings bring about new beginnings. The difficulty I had in physically arranging these flowers represent the challenges in the journey ahead, but these challenges are worth working through on this path to the beauty that awaits us.

MONSTERA PLANT Meaning and Symbolism:

-In eastern traditions, Monstera plants symbolize respect for humankind, honoring elders, and longevity.

-In the language of flowers, monstera flowers represent grandiose plans, glad tidings, and deep relationships.

-Thanks to their rapidly growing vines and aerial root systems, monstera plants may also symbolize suffocation in some cultures around the world.

Like the breadfruit of the Monstera deliciosa, any plant that bears edible fruit can be symbolically associated with abundance and fertility.

Additionally, they produce white flowers, and white flowers can symbolize purity, innocence, virtue, sympathy, grief, and elegance.

In feng shui, monstera plants represent growth, upward energy, and abundance. They are typically placed in the work or financial corners of a home’s Bagua map or in offices to attract the energy of professional and financial growth. https://www.petalrepublic.com/monstera-plant-meaning/

ORCHID: The name orchid is derived from the Greek word “orkhis”. This exotic flower was named by an ancient Greek botanist named Theophrastos who thought that the fleshy underground tubers resembled the male anatomy.

Due to their namesake, orchids are associated with fertility, virility, and sexuality. These associations, coupled with their exotic appearance, have given them a long history of being associated with love, fertility and elegance throughout various cultures and time periods.

-One of the major orchid genera is Paphiopedilum. The name is derived from the word “Paphos” which is the name of the temple where the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, was worshiped.

-Aztecs commonly mixed vanilla, a type of orchid, with chocolate to create an elixir that brought on power and strength.

-WHEN GIVEN AS A GIFT, THE MORE RARE THE ORCHID, THE DEEPER YOUR LOVE AND PASSION WAS FOR THE RECEIVER.

-In China, orchids are regarded as emblems of integrity, elegance and friendship. -WHITE ORCHIDS symbolize innocence and purity, as well as elegance and reverence.

-PINK ORCHIDS symbolize femininity, grace, and joy.

-YELLOW ORCHIDS symbolize friendship and new beginnings. They make great gifts for a friend to celebrate an accomplishment.

-PURPLE ORCHIDS symbolize royalty and admiration, and are traditionally given as a sign of respect.

-ORANGE ORCHIDS symbolize pride, enthusiasm, and boldness.
https://www.ftd.com/blog/share/orchid-meaning-and-symbolism

PEACE LILY: has different meanings and symbolism in a variety of situations. It is most commonly a sign of peace, innocence, purity, healing, hope, and prosperity. It is often grown or gifted as a sign of sympathy, longevity, beauty, rebirth, chastity, or virtue.
https://smartgardenguide.com/peace-lily-meaning-and-symbolism/