Wedding flowers and the superstitions tied to them

Wedding traditions are often rooted in superstition. Believe it or not, this even includes wedding flowers. In fact, wedding superstitions linked to flowers can be traced back to ancient Rome, ancient Greece, Asia, and elsewhere around the globe. While some ancient cultures didn’t actually carry or use flowers exactly like we do today, the plants they chose to incorporate in the wedding can be traced back as the precursor of the wedding flowers we have today. Of course, we don’t believe the superstitions they held back then, but isn’t it fun to know where some wedding traditions got started and why?

Wedding superstitions associated with flowers

Among wedding superstitions these are associated with flowers.

 

• Ancient Rome: Brides carried bouquets of herbs to symbolize fertility and faithfulness, and to ward off evil spirits.
• Ancient Greece: Ivy was thought to keep witches away and prevent drunkenness. When carried by brides, it represented everlasting love.
• Medieval Europe: Fragrant herbs like garlic were used in bridal bouquets to protect against disease and bad luck. 
• Tudor England: Brides not only carried flowers but ate them! Marigolds dipped in rosewater were considered aphrodisiacs—meant to add a spark to the wedding night. 
• Victorian Era: Tossing the wedding bouquet began as a charm to bring friends good luck and keep evil spirits away. Over time, it evolved into today’s playful tradition: whoever catches the bouquet is thought to be the next to marry.

 

• Middle East: Bridal bouquets often include artemisia, a bitter herb symbolizing the idea that marriages must endure both bitter and sweet times.
• Thailand: In traditional Thai weddings, the mothers of the bride and groom drape floral garlands over the couple’s shoulders as a blessing for good fortune. This is still a living tradition practiced today, symbolizing blessings and good fortune.
• India (South Asia): At the close of the wedding ceremony, the groom’s brother sprinkles flower petals over the newlyweds to protect them from evil spirits.
• China: Peonies, known as the “king of flowers,” are symbols of romance, honor, prosperity, and a blissful marriage.
• South Asia: Marigolds, with their vibrant golden color, are considered sacred and are used to attract blessings and ward off negativity.
• Asia (broader): The lotus is a powerful wedding symbol representing purity, spiritual awakening, and new beginnings. 

                             A white rose represents purity.

The Meaning of Wedding Flowers

In the Victorian era, the “language of flowers” became wildly popular. People believed that every bloom carried a specific meaning, and bouquets were carefully composed to convey messages without words. This was when the rose became firmly established as the symbol of true love. Over time, color added depth to the message:

• A white rose came to represent purity.

• A pink rose signified joy.

Other traditions embraced floral symbolism too. In Greek Orthodox weddings, crowns of orange blossoms traditionally worn by the bride and groom were thought to symbolize purity and virginity.

Even today, many wedding flowers are chosen not just for beauty, but for what they represent:

• Daffodils symbolize new beginnings.

• Hydrangeas suggest reflection and consideration.

• Irises represent perseverance.

When you think about it, a wedding bouquet is more than decoration—it’s a meaningful historical heirloom. With a little creativity, your floral arrangements can tell a story all their own on your wedding day, carrying centuries of superstition, symbolism, and sentiment into your celebration.

Photo credits: pixabay, pixabay, Wikimedia