October's Birth Flower is the Marigold. Their warm and cheerful colors are long lasting in the Autumn garden and signify Affection and Grace.
The botanical name,
Calendula officinalis, refers to the latin
word for calendar. Calendula means "the first day of the month" and they say
that the marigold blooms on the first day of the month. (I'm not sure
about that, once mine bloom there are new flowers every day) Early Christians called them Mary's Gold, and placed them by statues of the Virgin Mary.
They have medicinal qualities, are used by gardeners as an insect repellent, and by cooks as a spicy seasoning. Their bright colors are used to make brilliant dyes for fabrics, cosmetics and foods according to
1st in Flowers.com.
Marigolds are said to symbolize
sorrow or sympathy. I prefer to think of that as being sorry that summer is coming to an end but their bright and cheerful colors are happy soaking up the Autumn sunshine while it lasts.
The hidden meaning of the Marigold during the Victorian era was "
My thoughts are with You."
"There ought to be gardens for all months in
the year, in which, severally, things of beauty may be then in season." - Sir Francis Bacon
1 comment:
Wonderful post! Love learning the history of the marigold from you (and I took 4 years of Latin in high school, so I love that reference, too)!
So nice to meet you through BYW.
All the best,
Mary
Mary C. Nasser Art Blog
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