The purple hyacinth is a beautiful flower that has come to carry a lot of meaning, especially when it comes to love. With its rich purple petals and sweet fragrance, it’s easy to see why the purple hyacinth has become a popular romantic symbol. But what exactly does this flower represent when it comes to affairs of the heart? Here we’ll explore the origins and symbolism behind the purple hyacinth’s ties to love.
The Origin of the Purple Hyacinth
The purple hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) is a bulbous flower that blooms in spring. It grows from bulbs or bulblets and produces flowers that are typically blue, purple, pink, red, orange, salmon, peach or white in color. The purple hyacinth variety is one of the most popular.
Hyacinths are native to the eastern Mediterranean region, from Turkey to northern Iran. Wild hyacinths have grown across this region for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks were the first to cultivate hyacinths and bred the first purple variety. Greek mythology tells the origin story of how the hyacinth flower got its name.
According to the myth, the god Apollo became fond of a Spartan prince named Hyakinthos. The two enjoyed playing games together. But one day while Apollo and Hyakinthos were playing a game of discus, Apollo accidentally struck Hyakinthos in the head with the discus, killing him instantly. From the blood that spilled from Hyakinthos, Apollo created the hyacinth flower as a memorial of his death and their friendship.
This myth is one explanation for how the purple hyacinth became tied to expressing regret and asking for forgiveness. The myth has also connected the hyacinth to homosexual love, as it was grown from the tragic love between two men.
Meaning of Purple Hyacinths in Floriography
Floriography is the language of flowers. It was especially popular in Victorian times as a way for people to express feelings in a secret, coded way by gifting certain flowers. Each flower carries a different coded meaning. The purple hyacinth’s meaning according to floriography is:
| Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|
| Sorrow | Expressing regret, asking for forgiveness |
| Sincerity | Earnest apology |
| Deep regret | Feeling very sorry |
| Despair | Hopelessness |
As you can see, the common thread is expressing regret and sorrow. The myth of Hyakinthos’ death that spawned the hyacinth flower is the origin of this meaning.
The purple color itself also influences the meaning, as purple can represent royalty, passion and emotion. Purple is not a very common color for flowers, so a purple bloom stands out and makes a strong statement.
The hyacinth’s heady fragrance speaks to the sincerity of the emotion being expressed. Combined with the myth behind it, it creates a flower heavy with meaning for anyone seeking forgiveness or wanting to convey deep regret or despair to a lover.
Purple Hyacinth Meanings in Other Cultures
Beyond the Greek origins and Victorian floriography, the purple hyacinth flower has significance across different cultures. Here are some of the common meanings:
| Culture | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Japanese | Honesty, trust |
| Korean | Deep love, affection |
| Chinese | Sincere apology |
While the Greeks and Victorians focused on the purple hyacinth’s ability to convey regret and sorrow, other cultures highlight more positive meanings.
The Japanese meaning speaks to purity of emotions. In Korea, the purple hyacinth represents a deep love and affection. And for the Chinese, it still carries an apologetic meaning but focuses on the sincerity of the apology.
So while the core of the purple hyacinth is an expression of emotional regret across cultures, it can also represent deep love and affection as well as honesty and sincerity.
Significance of Purple Hyacinths in Romance
So why has the purple hyacinth become such a meaningful romantic flower? For starters, flowers have always been a way to convey romantic feelings and affections. And the varied but interrelated meanings the hyacinth holds make it well suited for matters of the heart.
Here are some of the key reasons the purple hyacinth is significant in romantic situations:
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Expressing regret | Asking forgiveness from a lover if you’ve wronged them |
| Apologizing | Making an earnest, sincere apology to your beloved |
| Proclaiming affection | Conveying deep love and attachment |
| Signifying trust | Telling your lover you are honest and loyal |
As you can see, the purple hyacinth spans the emotional spectrum. It allows you to admit mistakes, ask for forgiveness, show how much you care, and promise faithfulness. All of these are critical for navigating the ups and downs of any romantic relationship.
Purple hyacinths can also signify one is ready to move on and leave regrets behind. Their sweet fragrance adds to the romantic feelings. Hyacinths happen to bloom during spring, adding to their aura of new beginnings and renewed hope.
No flower can solve relationship problems on its own. But the multifaceted meanings of the purple hyacinth allow it to touch on many aspects critical to affairs of the heart.
How to Gift Purple Hyacinths
If you’d like to give purple hyacinths to your beloved, here are some tips:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Pick a fresh bunch | Select long sturdy stems with rich purple blooms that are not wilting |
| Pair them with other flowers | Combine them with roses for love or tulips for forgiveness |
| Add greenery | Ferns or ivy can complement the purple blossoms |
| Choose a colored vase | A purple, lavender or pink vase enhances their beauty |
| Include a card | Write a meaningful note about your feelings |
Arrange the bouquet artfully in a vase. Opt for around one dozen stems, or more if it’s a grand romantic gesture. Have them delivered for maximum surprise and delight. Time the delivery to celebrate an occasion or milestone in your relationship.
If your partner adores fresh flowers, giving purple hyacinths can become an annual tradition – especially for anniversaries or Valentine’s Day.
Other Purple Flower Gifting Options
Purple hyacinths have a lot of meaning, but they’re not the only purple blossoms with significance. Here are some other purple flower options to gift a sweetheart:
| Flower | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Lavender | Devotion, grace |
| Iris | Embracing new love |
| Violet | Daintiness, faithfulness |
| Lilac | First love, connection |
| Purple tulip | Eternal love, royalty |
| Purple rose | Enchantment, mystical charm |
Any of these purple blooms can make a romantic gift. Pick the bloom that best suits your purpose – whether it’s proclaiming new love, pledging faithfulness or conveying your enchantment.
Gifting a mix of purple flowers together can create a beautiful, fragrant bouquet brimming with meaning.
Conclusion
The purple hyacinth has a rich history of mythology behind it that has given this bloom a complex range of interrelated meanings. At its core, it expresses regret, sorrow and sincerity. But it can also signify affection, trust and honesty.
This makes the purple hyacinth a versatile flower for communicating many emotions critical in affairs of the heart. Its beautiful purple color and sweet fragrance only add to its appeal as a romantic gift. And while hyacinths are the most traditional choice, you have a diverse array of purple blooms to gift your beloved. Use these flowers to eloquently convey the depths of your devotion.
