The Sunshine Flower: Sunflower Meaning, History and Symbolism

Sunflower Meaning

Sunflower gets its name due to its affinity towards the sun and the way it turns itself to face the sun. Its genus- Helianthus is also quite literal and means sun (helios) and flower (anthos).

The yellow colour of sunflower is related to the sunshine! Bring warmth, happiness and positive vibes to your loved ones’ lives by sending Sunflowers online!

Sunflower Meaning and History

According to the Greek mythology, sunflower is a cursed nymph and follows her lover as he moves around the sun. This also brings us to its symbolism, which is loyalty and admiration. However, this flower has lots of meanings, varying from one culture to another and depending on the context. In China, sunflowers stand for vitality and good fortune. In native America and India, sunflowers represent fortune and good harvest.

Native American used sunflowers for its seeds, food and medicine. They used to extract juice from its stem to treat wounds while its water infusion was used to treat kidney ailments. There has been no scientific evidence to back the medicinal benefits of sunflowers in chest pains or kidney disease and, it is now primarily used for agricultural purposes now. The seeds of sunflowers are two types, oil and non-oil type. Sunflower oil is used for cooking and in beauty products.

Sunflower is associated with the energy, warmth, happiness and longevity of the sun. The Chinese consider the flowers as a symbol of longevity and it was consumed by the royal family to enhance their lifespan. It is also their good luck charm for the new beginnings. According to an ancient Christian belief, sunflower reflects God’s love and stands for unwavering faith in Him.

The Victorian flower language believes the flower to be a gesture to show gratitude and bring good luck to the recipient especially when they are starting afresh.

The sunflower has various meaning and plays important role in human life. The sunflower stands for longevity because the plant has full bloom phase for months and can withstand even the hottest of weather. The plant is known for its utility, more than beauty, giving out a message to nurture and nourish others.

Sunflower Facts

• Sunflower is a flower that has important meaning and is known for both its distinctive appearance as well as utility. It is a native to Central and South America, but it is widely available as well as cultivated throughout the world now. The wild variety has been superseded by the modern breeds mainly for enhanced petal size and seed count.

• Some modern sunflower varieties can go over 13 feet tall.

• We can see images of sunflowers on the temples of the Andes mountains. Native American Indians had the tradition to keep bowls of sunflower seeds on the graves of their deceased.
• Sunflower features prominently in the paintings of master impressionist Van Gogh.

When can you gift sunflowers online?

It is the third-anniversary flower and expresses longevity and adulation. It turns itself to face the Sun and follows it, becoming the symbol of loyalty and strong bond between two people. If you are looking to brighten up someone special’s day with the warmth of positive thoughts or want to cheer your friends up, sunflowers are the perfect go-to option for you! Celebrate platonic love and appreciation with sunflowers.

Sunflowers play an important meaningful role in Indian culture due to its existence from Vedic times in India.