The Buttercup Flower: Its Meanings & Symbolism

Buttercup Flowers

The cheery buttercup grows wild throughout much of North American and blankets fields and roadsides with sunny yellow blooms in mid-summer. It is often found growing alongside daisies and is a favorite among children. Holding the buttercup beneath the chin and observing the reflection of gold is thought to determine how well you like butter.

What Does the Buttercup Flower Mean?

The buttercup flower is more than a kid’s flower and has symbolism of its own. Under normal circumstances, the buttercup means:

  • Humility
  • Neatness
  • Childishness
  • “Your charm dazzles me.”

Etymological Meaning of the Buttercup Flower

The buttercup belongs to the genus Ranunculus L. and includes at least 93 species or subspecies. While buttercups range in size and height they are all yellow or gold flowers with green centers. There are many legends explaining how the buttercup got both its scientific and common name.

  • Legend of Ranunculus: According to this ancient legend, a Libyan youth named Ranunculus was known for his beautiful singing voice and stunning attire of yellow and green silk. His voice had the power to entrance any who heard him sing. One day when singing to a group of wood nymphs, he became so entranced by his own voice that the collapsed and gave up the ghost. To honor the fallen youth, Orpheus transformed him into the tiny buttercup that has been known as Ranunculus ever since.
  • Cow’s Milk: This legend claims the buttercup earned its name from the quality of milk it produced in cows. Supposedly, cows that grazed on buttercups produced the sweetest and most flavorful milk rich in cream. Farmers soon began referring to this lovely yellow flower as a buttercup. This isn’t true, of course, because buttercups are toxic to cows, but that doesn’t stop some people from believing it.
  • The Miser and the Fairies: According to another legend, fairies are responsible for buttercups. When a group of fairies saw an old miser crossing a field with a sack of gold, they stopped him to ask for alms. Not wanting to share his gold, the old miser refused and continued on his way. However, the clever fairies cut a hole in his sack with a blade of grass before he continued on his way. As the he crossed the field, his coins dropped from the bag and were scattered among the grass. Buttercups sprang forth wherever the coins touched the earth.
  • The Coyote: One day when coyote was tossing his eyes in the air and catching them again, an eagle swooped down and stole his eyes. Poor coyote did not know what to do and fashioned new eyes from the dainty buttercup. To this day, the buttercup flower is referred to a coyote’s eyes in many areas of the U.S.

Symbolism of the Buttercup Flower

The buttercup’s primary meaning is that of lightness and joy, but in some rural areas where the buttercup is considered a noxious weed, it can sometimes symbolizes ingratitude.

Buttercup Flowers

Buttercup Flower Color Meanings

Buttercups come in shades of yellow  with green centers and take on the color meaning for these colors.

Yellow

  • New Beginning
  • Joy
  • Happiness
  • Friendship

Green

  • Optimism
  • Renewal
  • Good Fortune
  • Health
  • Youth
Do you want to have more success and joy in your life? The best way to do this is by learning more about your name through numerology. It is a 4,000 year-old science that can help you learn the meaning of your name, because your name was no accident! All it takes is your name and date of birth, click here to get your free personalized numerology reading.

Meaningful Botanical Characteristics of the Buttercup Flower

The buttercup contains toxic compounds and causes gastric upset in farm animals. Typically, cattle graze around the buttercup plant leaving it untouched. Use caution when displaying buttercups around young children or pets that may ingest the flowers or foliage.

Native Americans used the roots of the buttercup plant in a poultice to treat boils, eczema, warts and other skin conditions. Buttercup essential oil is used in aromatherapy and is thought to restore your inner child and bring calmness, joy and sweetness into your life.

Special Occasions for the Buttercup Flowers

Buttercups are appropriate for informal entertaining and gift giving. Consider buttercups in combination with other wildflowers for these special occasions.

  • Welcome Home Celebrations
  • Housewarmings
  • Friendship Bouquets
  • Family Reunions

The Buttercup Flower’s Message Is:

The buttercup flower’s message is typically one of joy and cheerfulness and is especially appropriate for those who love wildflowers.The buttercup can be seen as a symbol of goodwill towards the recipient. Buttercups can be tucked into vases with daisies and other wildflowers to add bright color to the bouquet.

Do Your Essential Oils Pass the "Triple Purity Test"? Discover How to Protect Yourself and Your Family from the 4 Shocking Ingredients Lurking in Most Oils. The essential oils that are in your home right now could be doing more harm than good. As you’re about to find out, it’s a chance you probably don’t want to take. Here’s Why: New research shows all essential oils are NOT the same. Believing that they are could deliver very negative consequences. Even worse, the less-than-pure ingredients being found in some oils could completely eliminate their health benefits altogether and could even leave you worse off than when you started!
>>Click Here To Learn More And Find Out About Organixx Essential Oils

Buttercup Flowers

Buttercup Flowers

Buttercup Flowers

Buttercup Flowers