Wedding Flowers and Their Meanings… Delphinium

23 Feb 2012 1 Comment

by MayBrides in Inspiration Tags: , ,

click on the photo to see a bigger picture :)

 

Delphinium

 

Meaning: Swiftness, lightness

Colour: Blue, White, Purple

Best For: Arrangements

Scent: Lightly fragrant

In Season: Summer

Price Range: Moderate

 

Delphinium is native to Europe and Siberia. It relates to the Greek word ‘Delphis’ (Dolphin) referring to the shape of the back of the flower which resembles a Dolphin’s snout. In other countries it was thought to resemble a Lark’s foot and was called ‘Larkspur’ ‘Lark’s Heel’ and ‘Lark’s Claw’. It is also said that the Greeks named this flower after Delphinium Apollo, the god of the city of Delphi. Delphinium is a symbol for swiftness and lightness. The white delphinium is also called ‘Elijah’s Chariot’.

According to legend, Delphinium originated during the Battle of Troy. Achilles’ mother requested that her son’s armor be given to the most heroic Greek Warrior. The armor was given to Ulysses, although the brave Ajax expected to be chosen, and because of his rejection, Ajax killed himself. The small blue larkspur began to grow where the blood of Ajax spilled.

Delphiniums were used by West Coast Native Americans to make blue dye and European settlers made ink from ground delphinium flowers. During the Dark Ages, the fern seed was believed to render men invisible. In medieval England, the root of the common male fern was an important ingredient in love potions. The most ancient use of the delphinium was as a strong external medicine thought to drive away scorpions by the seeds and leaves which were thought to possess great power. Ground to a powder, the seeds were used to treat a toothache. It destroyed the lice in the hair of the warriors during the American Civil War, and at the Battle of Waterloo wounds were dressed with Delphinium.

The wild strains are often the cause death among cattle, as the plants are very poisonous. Delphiniums should not be used with food.

 

MayBrides