Dahlia Flower: Its Meanings & Symbolism
When it comes to building a bouquet that really stands out, the Dahlia is a reliable addition because its multi-layered petals add a lot of body and beauty to an arrangement. They’re also easy enough to grow that they’ve become a common bedding plant at nurseries in the US and Europe alike. Explore what the Dahlia means under the surface by learning about it as a symbol.
What Does the Dahlia Flower Mean?
The common Dahlia symbolizes
- Staying graceful under pressure, especially in challenging situations
- Drawing upon inner strength to succeed
- Traveling and making a major life change in a positive way
- Standing out from the crowd and following your own unique path
- Staying kind despite being tested by certain life events
- Finding a balance between adventure and relaxation
- Commitment to another person or a certain ideal
- Warning someone about a potential betrayal.
Of course, the meaning of an individual Dahlia bloom is also dependent on its color.
Etymological Meaning of the Dahlia Flower
Dahlia is the name of the genus of these flowers, making it easy to refer to the entire group at once. The source of the name is highly contested. An original story claimed that Carl Linnaeus named the flower after a student with the last name of Dahl, but Linnaeus himself died before the flower was named. It’s unclear where the name actually originated, and some scientists have unsuccessfully tried to change the genus name to Georgina.
Symbolism of the Dahlia Flower
The Victorians used the Dahlia to signify a lasting bond and commitment between two people, but modern flower lovers can also buy a potted plant as a celebration of joining a new religion or trying a new healthy habit. Dahlia is often considered a birth flower for August, but some traditions use it as a November birth flower instead. It’s the national flower of Mexico because that it’s native habitat. Some cultures use it to represent diversity since each petal fits seamlessly into the whole head.
The Dahlia Flower Facts
The wild Dahlias originally grew in Mexico and other South American countries, primarily in mountainous valleys that were protected from harsh conditions in the spring and summer. They’re known for standing for quite a while, making a beautiful display in a vase or in the ground. Some varieties produce flowers up to 12 inches in diameter, and the plants themselves can reach up to six feet high.
Dahlia Flower Color Meanings
Dahlia flowers are best organized by their color meaning variations. The most popular colors are
- Red, which conveys power and strength to the person receiving the flower as a gift
- Pink and purple, two of the colors associated with kindness and grace
- White, a symbol of staying focused and pure
- Blue and green, perfect for occasions involving fresh starts and big changes
- The black Dahlia, which is actually a burgundy color tied to a warning of betrayal
Meaningful Botanical Characteristics of the Dahlia Flower
The Dahlia is related to Sunflowers and Asters, but it’s not edible or used for medicinal purposes. The tubers are somewhat poisonous, so make sure you plant them deeply and keep pets and children away from the plants.
The Dahlia Flower’s Message Is…
Celebrate what makes you different. Seek out the new pleasures in life and keep moving through the challenges instead of letting them hold you back. Discover what the world holds for you, and watch out for pitfalls along the way.
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[…] * […] Dahlia flowers hold different symbolism depending on their colors. Generally, these summer-blooming and vivid flowers symbolize elegance, inner strength, change, creativity, and dignity. Though most of the many symbolism is positive, dahlias still carry a few negative connotations, including betrayal, dishonesty, and instability. […] During the Victorian era, dahlia flowers symbolize a lasting bond and lifelong commitment between two people. […] The common Dahlia symbolizes: staying kind despite being tested by certain life events, standing out from the crowd and following your own unique path. […] (sources: petalreplubic, flowermeaning) […]
[…] multilayered petals and stand out from the crowd, just like Pinkalicious! Dahlias are also used to show support and positivity when someone is faced with a big change or a challenging situation and to help find balance. Who […]
I read somewhere that edible flour could be made from the tubers BUT this article says they are highly poisonous? What was I reading about then? A specific species or an entirely different plant?
Hi, I would like to know the reference sources. Thanks a lot!
Oops, autocorrect does it again and corrected the spelling of Dahlias
Thank you, Larry, for the beautiful dailies. I love them almost as much as I love you. Mary
What does the Yellow Dahlia flower mean?
and what does the Orange Dahlia mean too? you haven’t got those colours up there in meanings but show pictures