Myrtle Flower: Its Meanings & Symbolism
The myrtle flower has a rich history as a flower of love and marriage. It has played a role in both Greek mythology and in royal weddings, and continues its love connection today. This star-shaped flower is typically white and adorns the branches of an evergreen shrub native to Europe and North Africa.
What Does the Myrtle Flower Mean?
The myrtle flower meaning is similar across culture cultures and across the centuries. It typically means:
- Good Luck in Love in Marriage
- Chastity
- Marital Fidelity
- Good Luck
- Prosperity
Etymological Meaning of the Myrtle Flower
The common name myrtle comes from the ancient Greek word myrtos, meaning a sprig of the myrtle tree. This flower belongs to the plant family myrtaceae in the genus of myrtus. There are only two species of the myrtle flower. There are several others plants, such a crape myrtle, that carry the name but they are not true myrtle.
Symbolism of the Myrtle Flower
The myrtle flower symbolizes love:
- Greek Mythology: According to ancient Greek mythology, Venus, the goddess of love visited the Isle of Cytheraea but was ashamed to show herself because she was naked. To hide her nakedness, Venus hid behind the myrtle tree. She later adopted the tree as her favorite and it became known as sacred to Venus. It was thought to inspire lasting love.
- Ancient Greeks: The ancient Greeks so revered the myrtle tree that they planted them around their temples and places of worship.
- Victorian England: In 1858, Queen Victoria’s daughter (also named Victoria) carried the first sprig of myrtle from her mother’s garden as she walked down the aisle to be wed. Since that time, each royal bride has carried a cutting from the bush to bring good luck and prosperity in the royal marriage.
Myrtle Flower Color Meanings
The myrtle flower is typically white and embodies both the symbolism for the myrtle flower and the color meaning of white flowers. White flowers can mean:
- Innocence
- Purity
- Truth
Meaningful Botanical Characteristics of the Myrtle Flower
The myrtle flower is used primarily as an ornamental flower, but is also used in perfumes and cosmetics as fragrance. The leaves have been used as an herbal treatment for whooping cough, TB, bronchitis, bladder conditions and diarrhea, but Web MD warns that consuming myrtle oil can cause asthma-like symptoms, lung and breathing problems, vomiting, low blood pressure and blood circulation problems. There is not enough evidence to support the use of myrtle as a remedy for any condition, says Web MD.
Special Occasions for the Myrtle Flowers
Myrtle flowers are appropriate for weddings, communions and christenings as they are a symbol for both fidelity and love and for chastity. When added to other flowers they can be used for nearly any occasion to wish the recipient luck and prosperity.
The Myrtle Flower’s Message Is…
The myrtle flower’s message is primarily one of love, making it a favorite for bridal bouquets and wedding arrangements. Although they are not the official birth flower of any particular month, they are also suitable or birthday bouquets.
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In was born June 10th 1993
I am now 30 years old
Michelle Lynn Honey Garcia I was adopted, my mother is Karen Jacobs and my father Gary J Johnson my adopted Mother is Charla Honey
Hi,
For the past few days I have been wandering the landscapes and microcosms of the peninsula Epario in the north of the Adriatic sea, not far from Istria, and have enjoyed the myrtle (or here called mirta /myrta) in full bloom. Therefore, I can back up the comment by Mark that only one photo in the gallery is of the plant the article’s about.
Btw, thank you sincerely on the information you have gathered for the curious, gentle and subtle souls and so concisely presented on this website, that it is so relevant to the objective of the site and didnt go at great length
[…] tradition even extends into what’s carried in a bride’s bouquet at a royal wedding. A sprig of myrtle is traditional for every royal wedding bouquet and each royal bride since Queen Victoria has […]
Thanks for the insight.God bless you so much
Hello my name is Michelle Lynn Honey born June 10th 1993
These photos are of the wrong plant. Almost all depict the showy blossoms of the small deciduous tree Lagerstroemia, native to humid Southeast Asia. It is popularly called “crepe myrtle” in English-speaking countries, whence the confusion.
Lovely as it is, the crepe myrtle is no relation to the the myrtle described in your interesting text.
Your text and its Greco-Roman associations with Venus and love, is all about the Mediterranean myrtle, Myrtus communis.
The sole correct photo is the one that shows a small white solo flower with numerous anthers with nodules of gold pollen at the tip.
You will want to replace all these pictures (except that one), with picture of the correct plant… and perhaps add another page elsewhere about the very lovely crepe myrtle.
Good luck with updating your interesting website.