The celebration of Mother’s Day was started in 1905 by Anna Jarvis in memory of her mother’s death; then, 3 years later, in 1908, she sent 500 Mother’s Day flower carnations (which was her mother’s favorite flower) to the ceremony held on the occasion. From then on, carnation flowers became the official Mother’s Day flower. It is available in different colors, and each color has its own significance.
In this guide, we will discuss the meaning and symbolism of Mother’s Day carnations and their history. Also read Why choose carnation flower for Mother’s Day, meaning of 7 different colors of carnation flower, tips to care for the cutting, and other popular flower choices for Mother’s Day.
Quick Answer
The official Mother’s Day flower is the carnation. This tradition began in 1908 when Anna Jarvis handed over 500 carnation flowers at a church to honor her mother. Mother’s Day flowers, the carnation, symbolize sweetness and purity. It is found in 7 colors, and each color has its own different symbolism.
What Does Mother’s Day Carnations Mean?
The word “carnation” comes from a Latin phrase, “coronation” or “corone,” because this flower was used in ceremonial crowns and art in Roman and Greek culture. Its scientific name is Dianthus caryophyllus, which means “flower of the gods.”
Carnation flowers have been associated with Mother’s Day for a long period of time; this flower symbolizes love, admiration, and gratitude towards your mother. Gifting your mother a carnation flower or a bouquet of carnation flowers is a wonderful idea.
There is one more metaphor related to carnation flowers: they do not drop their petals as they get dry; they hug the flowers to the heart, representing a mother holding their children.
Mother’s Day Carnations are available in various colors, and each color has a different meaning. Choosing the color based on your mother’s personality can add an extra layer of thoughtfulness to your gift.
History Of Carnations And Mother’s Day
In 1905, Anna Jarvis, who was an activist, asked everyone to gather and celebrate an official day recognizing mothers and their sacrifice. She started this appeal after her mother’s death, and on the first official celebration of Mother’s Day, she sent her mother’s favorite carnation flower to every mother who was attending the celebration.
History of Mother’s Day
Anna Jarvis used to work in public health and peace; after she lost her mother on the 9th of May 1905, she started a campaign and worked to make it a nationwide holiday. After a lot of efforts, the first Mother’s Day celebration was held on 10th May, 1908, in the same church where her mother used to teach on Sundays for 20 years, and in 1914 it was recognized as a nationwide holiday by President Woodrow Wilson.
History of Carnation Flower
On the first Mother’s Day celebration, Anna Jarvis sent 500 carnation flowers to the church where the ceremony was held. It was her form of giving gratitude to everyone who was attending the ceremony. She chose carnation flowers because her mother used to love this flower. After that day, this became a tradition of that church, and this flower became the official Mother’s Day flower.
Why Choose Carnation Flowers For Mother’s Day?
Due to the rich history and symbolism, fragrant and long-lasting freshness, different varieties, affordability, and some of its surprising facts, people usually choose carnations for Mother’s Day. Take a walk through each of these points in detail.
History and Symbolism: Usually, Mother’s Day carnations are connected with eternal love. There are various backstories that connect this flower to Mother’s Day; mainly, it is said that Anna Jarvis, an activist who started the Mother’s Day tradition, distributed 500 carnation flowers to the first ceremony held on the occasion of Mother’s Day. It is described in the Christian legend that the carnation flower bloomed after the Virgin Mary cried for her child. Due to the rich historical significance, these flowers are considered symbolic of motherhood.
Long-Lasting and Fragrant: You can keep the carnation flowers in a flower vase for 2 weeks or more with proper care. They have a sweet, spicy fragrance that adds an extra touch of charm to the flower arrangement.
Make a cut below the stem at a 45-degree angle before putting it in a vase for better water absorption. You must keep the cutting in clean water and change the water in a timely manner. These tips will help the plant stay fresh for a long time.
Variety: This flower is available in different colors like pink, white, red, yellow, and some others; each color has a different and unique significance. Pink is the most famous choice for Mother’s Day; it signifies purity and a mother’s love. White carnation signifies remembrance, and the flower is usually gifted to mothers who have passed. It will be a special gift if you choose the flowers thoughtfully while transforming it into a bouquet.
Affordability: These are budget-friendly, which also means you don’t have to spend too much money to make your mother feel special. Making this an ideal option for making a large bouquet for mixed and floral arrangements.
YourHomify Insight
The petals of carnation are edible, and they’ve been used in wines, tea, and salads. This flower is also gifted on the first anniversary, and it is the birth flower for January.
7 Different Colors Of Carnation Flowers With Meaning
Carnation flowers are available in red, white, pink, yellow, purple, green, and orange colors. Each color has a different significance. Carnation flowers represent sweetness and purity; in Greek, this name means good flowers. Let’s talk about the meaning of different colors of carnation flowers.
1. Red Carnation
The red color symbolizes deep affection and love from a longer period of time. On Mother’s Day, you can gift red carnation flowers to your mother, signifying your love and gratitude towards her. The light and coral shades are gifted for admiration and fondness. In the past, this flower used to symbolize engagement, but later, in 1974, this flower changed to symbolize revolution. This color is deeply rooted in diverse cultures and traditions, and with time it has become a symbol of intense emotion and profound feelings.
2. Pink
Gifting pink carnations for Mother’s Day will be the best option, as this color signifies gratitude, appreciation, and maternal love. It also has a traditional connection. As per an old legend, the pink carnation flower bloomed after the tears of the Virgin Mary fell on this flower when she was crying for her son.
Due to this significance, this flower got connected to a mother’s undying and unconditional love. If you are gifting a single-color flower to your mother, then a pink flower is the best choice. Pink is also a soft color that signifies womanhood and nurturing.
3. White
Gifting white carnation flowers means showing motherhood, beauty, faithfulness, and purity. It also carries a deep significance as a flower of remembrance. Usually, white carnations are gifted to mothers’ graves in their memories. The white color showcases purity and good luck. This flower has ruffled, snowy white petals, and it can also be gifted on occasions like wedding anniversaries and new beginnings. This can also be a great option to add to a bouquet or garden for striking attraction.
4. Yellow
Yellow carnation flowers are usually gifted, symbolizing joy, warmth, and friendship. If you have a bond like a friend with your mother, then you can choose to give yellow carnations. You can also give this to your friends or an elderly person whom you admire or praise, like your mother. This flower can also be the best option for apologising to someone or for sympathizing with someone.
5. Purple
Purple color doesn’t have much traditional significance, but in modern times this color has become very famous, as purple and lavender carnations represent charm and impulsiveness. It would be the best gift for mothers who have left all the traditional norms. This flower symbolizes unpredictability and inconsistency, which you can also phrase as spontaneous and adventurous, so you can also gift this flower to someone like this.
6. Green
Green carnation flowers usually represent individuality, creativity, and nonconformity. You can gift green carnation flowers while mixing them with other colors. This color will signify health and luck, and it is something unique and unconventional for Mother’s Day.
However, this became famous due to Oscar Wilde; he once told his friend to carry a dyed green carnation on the lapel, after which this flower became famous and a symbol of wit and nonconformity.
7. Orange
Orange is a vibrant color, and it feels full of life. You can gift an orange carnation, showcasing enthusiasm, support, motivation, and positivity to your mother. It will be the best option for mothers filled with passion and excitement. These have a scent of clove that attracts bees and butterflies to the garden. This variety is toxic for dogs, cats, and horses.
How To Care For Carnation Flowers?
To keep the Mother’s Day carnations fresh for 2 to 3 weeks in the vase if you care for them properly. Keep the flowers in clean water, trim the stems, add flower food, change the water on time, and ensure they are not in direct sunlight.
You can extend the flowers’ life by following these care tips.
Step 1: While picking flowers, ensure that they are not dry and leaves are not yellowish. Use a clean vase for keeping the flowers.
Step 2: Take the vase and fill it with clean water; no fertilizers. Cut the bottom of the stem at a 45-degree angle before putting it in water.
Step 3: Add flower food to the plant. It makes the pH levels good for flower survival, it provides energy to the flowers, and it also keeps the insects away.
Step 4: Then place the flower in the water. Ensure that no leaves are submerged to avoid rotting.
Step 5: Check the water and change it if it looks dirty and cloudy. It will also impact the flowers, causing premature wilting.
Step 6: Cut the submerged stem of the flower after a week to avoid stem rotting. Always clean the stem while changing the water.
The plant can dry very quickly if kept in direct sunlight, near a heater, or even windows with indirect sunlight sources.
Other Popular Choices For Mother’s Day
Roses, peonies, and chrysanthemums can be the best option after carnations to give on mother’s day. It is the best option for people who are looking for something meaningful but different from carnation. You can also make a bouquet of flowers your mother loves and some flowers that show the significance of Mother’s Day.
Take a look at the other alternative flowers for gifting along with their significance.
Roses: Roses symbolize love and admiration, and that’s why it is a popular choice for gifting to loved ones. For Mother’s Day, roses are the best option as it resembles grace, appreciation, and a deep bond. You can add pink roses to the bouquet, expressing long-held gratitude and admiration.
Peonies: This flower signifies love, compassion, and good luck. Peonies have a striking elegance, and they are a perfect gift if you want to give something meaningful and significant. This flower has many layers of symbolism, and it will be the best option for Mother’s Day if you want to give something untraditional but expressive.
Chrysanthemums: The Chrysanthemum flower resembles love and joy, and it is commonly referred to as mum, which makes it a preferable choice for Mother’s Day. The vibrant colors, large blooms, and longevity make this a perfect choice for Mother’s Day.
Conclusion
Mother’s Day is the best time to showcase appreciation to the most incredible woman in your life. Mother’s day carnations are the best options for gifting; it has a special link with motherhood, and there are a lot of backstories that also signify the same. This flower is available in different colors, and each color has its own meaning.
You can keep a carnation flower for 3 weeks if you care for it a little. There are multiple flowers that you can add with it, like roses, chrysanthemums, and peonies; all these flowers signify love and can be a unique option.
FAQs
What is the official flower of Mother’s Day?
Carnation is considered the official flower of Mother’s Day after 1908, when Anna Jarvis sent 500 flowers to the first official Mother’s Day celebration at the church where her mother used to teach every Sunday for 20 years.
Which flower is traditional for Mother’s Day?
Carnation is the traditional flower of Mother’s Day. This flower signifies sweetness and purity. It became traditionally important after 1908 when Anna Jarvis gifted 500 carnation flowers on the first official Mother’s Day celebration.
Which flower symbolizes Mother’s Day?
Carnation symbolizes Mother’s Day because this flower signifies pure love and sweetness. There is also a Christian legend that pink carnation flowers bloom for the first time at the place where the Virgin Mary cried for his child.
What flowers are appropriate for Mother’s Day?
You can gift carnations, chrysanthemums, roses, or peonies to your mother on this Mother’s Day, showcasing love and gratitude to her. Carnations are officially mothers day flower and have traditional connections, whereas others can be a unique option.
What do pink carnations symbolize?
Pink carnations symbolize mother love and longevity. It is said that this flower bloomed from the tear of the Virgin Mary when she was crying for her child. It is the best gift for Mother’s Day due to its significance.
