The Dandelion Flower: Its Meanings & Symbolism
You might curse it as a weed when it pops up in your lawn, but the Dandelion is beautiful and full of symbolism nonetheless. This cheerful little flower can grow practically anywhere there is a pinch of soil or a crack in the sidewalk. Even if you think of the plant as nothing more than a pest, understanding some of its using as a symbol could give you a new appreciation for those flowers you keep pulling up as you weed.
What Does the Dandelion Flower Mean?
The common and humble Dandelion has a surprising amount of different meanings. The Dandelion means:
- Healing from emotional pain and physical injury alike
- Intelligence, especially in an emotional and spiritual sense
- The warmth and power of the rising sun
- Surviving through all challenges and difficulties
- Long lasting happiness and youthful joy
- Getting your wish fulfilled
Since the Dandelion can thrive in difficult conditions, it is no wonder that people say the flower symbolizes the ability to rise above life’s challenges.
Etymological Meaning of the Dandelion Flower
The Dandelion name first developed in the 15th century. It was derived from the Medieval Latin phrase dens lionis, which refers to the jagged shape of the leaves by calling them a lion’s tooth. This transformed into dent-de-lion in French, and then became Dandelion in Middle English. We still use the same name today because it’s easy to remember and definitely still applies as a description of how the plant looks.
Symbolism of the Dandelion Flower
As such a common weed, the Dandelion didn’t even merit a mention in the Victorian language of flowers. That didn’t stop Medieval peasants and modern spiritualists from considering it a symbolic flower. Most modern admirers consider it a symbol of fighting through the challenges of life and emerging victorious on the other side. Others use it as a visual reminder of the sun’s power, especially when depression or grief makes it hard to stay sunny. Of course, there is a long running folk belief that blowing out the white puffball of seeds that the flowers turns into will grant you one wish. Others use it as a reminder to use intelligence in dealing with every kind of situation. Finally, most people agree that the Dandelion looks so cheerful and happy, even when it is taking over a sidewalk or shading out grass in a lawn.
Dandelion Flower Color Meanings
All Dandelions are yellow, so they share a common color meaning no matter which particular species you work with.
Meaningful Botanical Characteristics of the Dandelion Flower
The Dandelion grows across North America and Europe, and was introduced into many other continents as well. The leaves and flowers are both edible and quite healthy, with the flowers tasting less bitter than the leaves. Many rural people still use the flowers for making Dandelion wine in the summer. The root of the plant also contains compounds believed to relieve kidney and bladder problems when drunk as a tea.
Special Occasions for the Dandelion Flowers
Gather up a small informal bouquet of Dandelions from your yard for occasions like:
- Celebrating the return of summer
- Overcoming an obstacle, especially by using your innate intelligence
- Trying to connect with the sun and its power
- Celebrating any event that brings joy and the energy of youth into your life
The Dandelion Flower’s Message Is…
The Dandelion flower’s message is do not give up, even if those around you keep trying to get rid of you. Stick it out and remember the cheerfulness of a sunny summer’s day when things seem bleak or dark.
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In kathmandu nepal, where is available this tea?
In Kathmandu it would only be available in a health-food shop, if there is one in Kathmandu.
Your best chance is to grow some dandelions, dig up the roots, lightly roast them and grind them.
That will be dandelion tea. ?
We lost our beloved 15 years old son in last July. How sad we are still experiencing the grieving sorrowful moments.
Our back yard has growing the dandelion, and i know the meanings now.
We will get through the depression.
After 24 hours after my husband died from Glioblastoma Brain Cancer my phone screen that had a picture of him and I together changed on it own to a picture of a dandelion and it’s seeds blowing. Before he died I told him to send me a message he got to the other side. No explanation of how this was done.
I just got my first tattoo at the age of 69, after discovering that the Dandelion is the official flower of Military Children, or in my case, an Army brat! It is a Dandelion, as the seeds float away they turn into birds…
Written by an unknown author:
“The official flower of the military child is the dandelion. Why? The plant puts down roots almost anywhere, and it’s almost impossible to destroy. It’s an unpretentious plant, yet good looking. It’s a survivor in a broad range of climates. Military children bloom everywhere the winds carry them. They are hardy and upright. Their roots are strong, cultivated deeply in the culture of the military, planted swiftly and surely. They’re ready to fly in the breezes that take them to new adventures, new lands, and new friends.
Experts say that military children are well-rounded, culturally aware, tolerant, and extremely resilient. Military children have learned from an early age that home is where their hearts are, that a good friend can be found in every corner of the world, and that education doesn’t only come from school. They live history. They learn that to survive means to adapt, that the door that closes one chapter of their life opens up to a new and exciting adventure full of new friends and new experiences.”
Ive gone through a lot of disappointment in love… ive decided to be free like the dandelion
I lost the love of my life 9/11/18 and for the next 3 to 4 days I saw the thousands of the seeds in the floating through the air and I mean more than I have ever seen in my life there were so many they were getting stuck in the fence in the backyard were I sat for days just looking at the river just wondering how I was going to live without him,and when he was here and he would see one a catch it and,hold it up to my mouth a tell me , make a wish and I would blow it and tell him my wish has already came true I have you.. But seeing all of them those days was amazing I truly believe it was him letting me know he was watching over me and he was finally at peace❤❤
I have a dandelion tattoo for my Dad in heaven. It also says “one more day with you” with the floating seeds. That’s my wish when blowing a dandelion..just one more day… anyway, I am a birth newborn and children’s photographer and im re-branding my business. I am using a dandelion as my logo. However, Im having a really hard time coming up with a tagline. Id like to somehow incorporate the dandelion even by eluding to the meaning but I cant come up with anything… any suggestions?
Thanks in advance for your help
IMHO Dandelions wishes come true based on how high and far the seeds fly.
You can blow or wave them free in the wind or throw the last couple with the stem.
Thank you for the article. I enjoyed reading! Did you know that dandelions are the symbol of chilren raised in military families? We “brats” embrace the little flower because it symbolizes being able to grow whever life might take you, and then military kids get scattered and blown to all parts of the world when they grow up. Navy, Air Force, and Army brats have a very striong connection to one another born of a shared experience.
Thanks for sharing that Debbie, That’s great to know!
i am teaching my class about dandelions and they love it
Beautiful
Such beautiful and touching comments! I have enjoyed reading each one! Those of you who commented on this article: Thank you for brightening my day!
Life is not easy. We all struggle and we all experience despair. If we are not currently suffering or grieving, we either have at some point or we will at some point, and that’s just life on Planet Earth. This is why symbols of hope are so precious!
I have a question about making wishes on dandelions that I hope someone can answer! To do it properly, is one supposed to blow off ALL of the seeds in ONE breath???