Flowers: More Than Just Pretty Things
Across faiths, and especially within Christianity, flowers are more than just beautiful decorations. They’re often seen as symbols, carrying meanings far beyond their aesthetic appeal.
Flower symbolism has deep roots in both culture and religion, evolving over centuries to hold significant weight.
In this article, we’ll explore the idea of flowers as God’s messengers, examining the many ways they represent God, his attributes, and his relationship with us. We’ll look at how these delicate blooms can be powerful reminders of the divine.
The language of flowers: Biblical symbolism
In the Bible, flowers are more than just pretty decorations. They’re metaphors for God’s qualities and attributes.
Flowers as metaphors for divine qualities
Flowers are often connected with beauty, purity, and love — all qualities we associate with the divine.
More generally, flowers symbolize beauty, life, and how quickly life passes by.
Flowers as reflections of God’s care
Just as a gardener tends a flower, flowers are used to show how God cares for his creation.
When we consider how God provides for flowers, we’re encouraged to trust that he’ll provide for us, too.
Flowers in parables and teachings
Jesus used flowers in his parables to teach about faith and trust. In Matthew 6:28-30, he asks us to consider the lilies of the field, how they grow and how beautifully they’re arrayed, even though they neither toil nor spin.
Flowers teach us that instead of focusing on temporary things, we should set our sights on the eternal.
Specific Flowers and Their Divine Associations
Throughout history, certain flowers have come to be associated with spiritual concepts and even with God. Here are a few examples:
Lily (Lilium): Purity and Resurrection
With their pristine white petals, lilies are often seen as symbols of purity, innocence, and the promise of resurrection. The Song of Solomon (2:1) contains the line, “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys,” suggesting a connection to beauty and divine love.
Lilies are often associated with the Virgin Mary and with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, cementing their place as a symbol of hope and renewal.
Rose (Rosa): Love and Beauty
Roses, with their velvety petals and intoxicating fragrance, are universally recognized symbols of love, beauty, and hope. Their association with divine love and beauty is a recurring theme in religious poetry and art.
Olive (Olea): Peace and Prosperity
Olive trees, with their gnarled trunks and silver-green leaves, symbolize peace, prosperity, and the very presence of God. Psalm 52:8 states, “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever,” highlighting the tree’s connection to divine favor and trust.
The olive branch, famously carried by a dove, is a potent symbol of peace that transcends cultures and religions. Olives and olive oil play an important role in many biblical narratives.
Mustard (Brassica): Faith and Growth
Tiny mustard seeds, almost imperceptible, symbolize faith and the incredible growth of God’s kingdom. Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31) illustrates this concept: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.”
The mustard seed’s ability to grow into a large plant from such humble beginnings represents the potential for even the smallest amount of faith to blossom into something significant.
Hyssop (Hyssopus): Purification
Hyssop, a small, fragrant herb, symbolizes purification and spiritual cleansing. Psalm 51:7 implores, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow,” emphasizing its power to cleanse both physically and spiritually.
Hyssop was used in purification rituals in ancient times and continues to be seen as a symbol of renewal and spiritual cleansing.
Flowers and the Fleeting Nature of Life
Flowers are beautiful, but their beauty is fleeting. They bloom, they thrive, and then, very quickly, they wither and die. This makes them a powerful symbol of the short, transient nature of human life. We, too, flourish for a time, but our time is limited.
The Bible uses this imagery to remind us of our mortality. Psalm 103:15-16 says, “As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.” Similarly, Isaiah 40:8 tells us, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
These verses aren’t meant to depress us, but to encourage us to focus on what truly matters. Flowers remind us that earthly things are temporary. We should focus our energy on things that are eternal, like our relationship with God and acts of love and service to others.
Flowers as Symbols of Hope and Renewal
Flowers often represent hope, joy, and renewal. Their vibrant colors and delicate beauty speak to God’s capacity to create new beginnings, even from barren landscapes.
The book of Isaiah speaks to this very idea, prophesizing a time of restoration and joy:
“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.” (Isaiah 35:1-2).
Just as flowers blossom in unexpected places, they remind us that God’s transformative power can bring beauty and hope into our lives, even in the midst of difficulty.
Flowers as reflections of God’s glory
Many people see flowers as evidence of God’s glory and artistry. The sheer variety of colors, shapes, and scents is breathtaking. Even Jesus Christ pointed to flowers to illustrate God’s care.
In Luke 12:27, he says, “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”
Flowers remind us that God’s creation is both beautiful and meticulously designed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What god is associated with flowers?
Different cultures associate various deities with flowers. In Greek mythology, Chloris is the goddess of flowers. Other cultures might link flowers to gods of spring, fertility, or nature in general. It really depends on the specific pantheon you’re looking at.
Who is the Latin god of flowers?
In Roman mythology, Flora is the goddess of flowers, spring, and fertility. She was a significant figure, with a dedicated festival called the Floralia held in her honor each spring.
Who is the god of flowers?
Again, this depends on the mythology. While Flora is the Roman goddess of flowers, Chloris (later known as Flora in Roman mythology) is her Greek counterpart. There isn’t one universal “god of flowers” across all cultures, but these two are probably the most well-known.
What is the flower of god?
“Flower of God” isn’t a term with a universally recognized meaning. It could refer to a flower considered sacred or symbolic in a particular religion or spiritual practice. Some might use it to describe a flower of exceptional beauty or a rare bloom. Without more context, it’s hard to pinpoint a specific flower.
The Bottom Line
Flowers, as symbols, offer powerful reminders of God’s presence and promises. In the Bible, they represent beauty, the gift of life, and a reminder that life is fleeting.
As you look at the natural world, remember that even the smallest flower can teach us about faith. When you see a flower, you can remember God’s faithfulness and the beauty He brings to our world.
Flowers teach us about hope, renewal, and God’s unwavering care. They show us that even in the face of hardship, there is always beauty and new life to be found.