Flowers have long been used as a way to convey messages and meaning. Certain flowers through the ages have come to represent different ideas, emotions, and symbols. When trying to decipher what flower means sunshine, there are a few likely floral candidates that represent the sun, warmth, happiness, and positivity.
Sunflowers
One of the most obvious choices for a flower that means sunshine is the sunflower. Sunflowers have bright yellow petals that resemble the sun itself. They turn their heads to follow the sun across the sky during the day. This heliotropic nature of sunflowers represents the sun itself. Just looking at a sunflower instantly conjures images of summertime, warmth, positivity, and power.
Sunflowers originated in the Americas and were eventually brought to Europe in the 16th century once Europeans began exploring the New World. The sunflower quickly became a popular plant and made its way into gardens, works of art, myths, medicine, and more all across the world.
In the language of flowers, the sunflower most commonly means adoration, loyalty, longevity, happiness, and of course sunshine. They are given to convey joy and the warmth of summer. Sunflowers have become common gifts for people celebrating events in the summer months.
Marigolds
Another flower associated with sunshine is the marigold. Marigolds are annual plants that come in a variety of yellow, orange, and gold color shades. Some marigold blooms can resemble the sun itself.
Marigolds originated in the Americas before being brought to Europe and Asia. They grow well in sunny conditions and can bloom brightly all summer long. Marigolds are commonly planted in vegetable gardens because they repel certain pest insects. Their cheery color and hardy nature gives them an association with sunshine, positivity, and strength.
In the language of flowers, marigolds symbolize passion, creativity, affection, and the sunny warmth of summer. People often give marigolds as gifts to convey positive sentiments and lift someone’s spirits with the brightness of sunshine.
Coreopsis
Coreopsis is a genus of flowering plants in the aster family known for their sunny yellow blooms. There are annual and perennial species found across North America.
Coreopsis flowers look like miniature suns, with lightly streaked yellow petals radiating out like sunbeams from a yellow center. The flowers tend to bloom throughout the summer, thrivning in full sunlight conditions. Coreopsis blooms are small but abundant, covering the plant to resemble warm rays of sunshine.
In floriography, coreopsis symbolizes happiness, positivity, cheer, and warmth. The sunny color and appearance link coreopsis to the meaning of sunshine in the language of flowers. It is often given as a gift to brighten someone’s day and convey a message of joy.
Other Flowers that Mean Sunshine
There are a few other flowers that represent sunshine as well:
- Dahlias – These summer-blooming tubers produce brightly colored flowers that suggest warmth and power of the sun.
- Daisies – Simple white daisies with a yellow center evoke the look of the sunny springtime.
- Gerbera Daisies – A larger daisy with a vibrant yellow/orange center.
- Carnations – Yellow and orange carnations connect this flower to sunshine.
- Chrysanthemums – Yellow mums are reminiscent of sunshine.
- Roses – Yellow and orange roses convey sunshine, whereas red is associated with passion.
- Tulips – Vibrant yellow and orange tulips blooming in spring represent sunshine.
- Zinnias – Small yellow and orange zinnias evoke sunshine with their color.
Any flower that comes in warm, bright colors like yellow, orange, or gold will have an association with sunshine. The visual resemblance of the flower’s color and shape to the sun links it to the meaning of sunshine in floriography.
Meanings and Symbolism of Sunshine Flowers
So why are certain flowers tied to the meaning of sunshine? There are a few reasons:
- Color – Yellow, orange, and gold are colors of sunlight and warmth. Flowers in these sunny colors visually connect to the sun.
- Shape – Flowers with a round shape and rayed petals can resemble a sunburst. This applies to sunflowers, coreopsis, and daisies.
- Behavior – Sunflowers physically move and turn their heads to follow sunlight across the sky.
- Growing Conditions – Many sunshine flowers thrive in full sun environments.
- Blooming Time – Flowers that bloom in the bright, sunny months of summer relate to sunshine.
- History & Folklore – Symbolic meanings of flowers often draw from myths, legends, and cultural stories.
The sun itself has significance as a source of light, energy, growth, and the cyclical seasons. Flowers that resemble and behave like the sun take on those symbolic meanings. Additionally, sunshine flowers convey all the positive attributes associated with sunshine – warmth, positivity, happiness, and vitality.
Importance of Sunshine Flowers
Sunshine flowers play an important role in floriography by providing a way to visually convey positive emotions and uplifting messages:
- They express sentiments like joy, cheer, affection, and encouragement.
- They suggest the life-giving warmth and energy of the sun.
- They represent the happy seasons of spring and summer.
- They uplift people’s moods and spirits with their bright presence.
- They inspire feelings of happiness, optimism, creativity, and passion.
Giving sunshine flowers has the power to literally brighten someone’s day and bring a smile to their face. The recipients feel the positive effects of sunshine itself. Throughout history, poetic meanings and symbolism have developed around these flowers for this very reason.
Examples of Using Sunshine Flowers
Here are some examples of how sunshine flowers are used to convey meaning:
- Giving yellow roses to express friendship, joy, and affection.
- Bringing marigolds to hospital patients to uplift them with the flower’s healing properties.
- Planting a sunflower garden to attract bees, butterflies, and admiration from passersby.
- Sending a bouquet of orange gerbera daisies to congratulate someone on a graduation.
- Giving coreopsis blooms to someone on their birthday to wish them a happy day.
- Decorating with a sunflower wreath at a summer party for symbolic spirit.
- Adding vases of yellow and gold flowers to brighten up indoor spaces.
Sunshine flowers let people express all sorts of positive messages and emotions through the coded meaning of flowers. Their sunny appearance literally brings light and energy into people’s lives.
Conclusion
Flowers that symbolize sunshine primarily include sunflowers, marigolds, and coreopsis. Their bright yellow, orange, and gold color; round, rayed shape; and association with summer link them to the sun’s light and energy. In floriography, these sunshine flowers represent joy, warmth, positivity, passion, and encouragement. They uplift people’s spirits and convey cheerful messages. So in the language of flowers, sunflowers, marigolds, and coreopsis among other sunny blooms aptly answer the question “what flower means sunshine?”. Their vibrant presence literally evokes the feeling of a warm, sunny day.
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | Yellow | Warmth, adoration, loyalty, longevity, happiness, sunshine |
| Marigold | Yellow, orange, gold | Passion, creativity, affection, sunshine |
| Coreopsis | Yellow | Happiness, positivity, cheer, warmth |
