It’s a bird, it’s a plane… no, it’s the Bird of Paradise flower!
This gorgeous flower is aptly named. Seeing one can cause you to stop dead in your tracks, your breath taken away by the flower’s delicate beauty. This tropical plant is quite the sight to behold, and if you’ve ever seen one, you likely already know that to be true.
However, did you know that the Bird of Paradise flower actually carries deep symbolism? Here are some of this eye-catching flower’s lesser-known meanings.
What Does Bird of Paradise Mean?
Bird of Paradise is a flower with deep symbolism – but its etymological meaning makes a lot of sense.
There are actually five separate Bird of Paradise flowers, all of which are grouped beneath the scientific name of Strelitzia. The common name has a more obvious meaning – the Bird of Paradise flower looks exactly like a bird in flight!
However, the scientific name is derived from Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Married to King George III at the time when the flower was initially imported to England, the queen asked that the flower be named after her.
A Bit More About Bird of Paradise Flowers
Birds of Paradise are truly fascinating plants that are known for their exotic appearance and vibrant colors. They are native to South Africa and are closely related to the banana plant. The Strelitziaceae family includes different types of these exotic flowers, with the most popular ones being the orange bird, white bird, and blue bird of paradise.
What makes them even more special is that they symbolize spiritual ascension and remind us of spiritual freedom and enlightenment. You may have noticed them in famous paintings throughout history like those by Georgia O’Keefe. They represent good fortune, long life, and faithfulness.
To care for these beauties, keep in mind that they thrive in humid climates like a paradise plant would. Make sure to water them frequently to avoid letting the soil dry out. They require good drainage and growing tips suggest pots with adequate drainage holes. However, you can also plant them in your garden but keep in mind that they should be protected from frost.
What Do Bird of Paradise Flowers Symbolize?
There are many symbols associated with the Bird of Paradise flower.
Sir Joseph Banks, a famous botanist, named this beautiful flower after the giant and exotic bird that it resembled. The bright orange petals and deep blue colors of the Bird of Paradise make it a stunning addition to any garden. It’s no wonder it has even been featured in Royal Gardens across the world.
Spirit animals are often represented by beautiful flowers, and the Bird of Paradise is no exception. With its long stems and exotic look, it symbolizes freedom, reminding us to take flight and seek out new horizons.
One of the most obvious is that the flower can represent the idea of paradise on Earth. It can also represent freedom and the ability to travel freely, something that makes sense given the flower’s close resemblance to a bird in flight.
Bird of Paradise can also represent excellence, magnificence, and success – along with royalty and regality. It can symbolize faithfulness, particularly in romantic relationships, as well as optimism toward the future, too.
This flower is one of the more unusual options used in bouquets and arrangements, but nonetheless, it’s one that’s sure to make a statement.
There are multiple colors of the plant. Each variety has different sets of two contrasting colors, with the unique contrast itself bearing more meaning than individual colors.
What Does a Yellow Bird of Paradise Symbolize?
The yellow bird of paradise symbolizes new opportunities and a fresh start. It represents spiritual enlightenment and reminds us to have a good perspective on life.
What is the Red Bird of Paradise Meaning?
The red bird of paradise, on the other hand, symbolizes good fortune and spiritual ascension. It is the official flower of the city of Los Angeles and is often used in bridal bouquets and floral arrangements.
What Does a Bright Orange Bird of Paradise Symbolize?
The bright orange bird of paradise represents paradise itself and symbolizes faithfulness. Its striking appearance makes it a perfect symbol for spiritual freedom and the pursuit of happiness.
What Blue Bird of Paradise Represents?
The blue bird of paradise represents the paradise that we all want to reach someday. It symbolizes spiritual freedom, good fortune, and the pursuit of happiness. It is also said to be a spirit animal that represents spiritual ascension.
What Do White Bird of Paradise Symbolize?
The white bird of paradise symbolizes heaven and paradise. It is often used in special occasions such as weddings and represents purity, peace, and spiritual freedom.
The white Bird of Paradise is particularly special because it symbolizes innocence, and, in general, represents joy and beauty. The tropical flower’s paradise symbolism is not only breathtakingly captivating, but it also serves as a strong reminder to stay close to nature in life.
What is the Cultural Significance of a Bird of Paradise?
There are many meanings to the Bird of Paradise flower. In its native land, the flower is actually referred to as the crane flower.
A lily that is native to South Africa, it is seen as a symbol of beauty and freedom in this country. It is also viewed as a symbol of royal lineage, particularly because it is tied directly to ruling families. Its gorgeous contrasting petals make it symbolic of general success, too.
Though not commonly used as a birth flower for any month, it is a gift that is frequently given for ninth wedding anniversaries – it’s reminiscent of faithfulness.
The Strelitzia reginae, also known as the paradise flower or the bird of paradise, is often the official flower of different cities. For example, Kew Gardens in London has them as their city flower while the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney has them as their official flower. Their blooms typically last for one to two weeks, making them a perfect romantic gift.
What is the Symbolism of a Bird of Paradise Tattoo?
The Bird of Paradise is often seen as a symbol of creativity, uniqueness, and your innate ability to stand out from the crowd. If any of these apply to you, a Bird of Paradise tattoo might be the perfect way to showcase your one-of-a-kind personality!
When Should You Give Someone a Bird of Paradise?
There are many occasions in which it is more than appropriate to give someone a Bird of Paradise flower. One of these is on the ninth wedding anniversary for a married couple. The flower can also be given to people who are celebrating birthdays as well as individuals who need to be congratulated on a graduation, promotion, or some other kind of success.
The Bird of Paradise flower is often given to people who are departing on long trips, too.
Final Thoughts on the Bird of Paradise Flower Symbolism
So what is the spiritual meaning of the Bird of Paradise flower? It’s believed that this flower symbolizes spiritual enlightenment and represents paradise, a place of peace, harmony, and serenity. It reminds us to seek out our inner being and explore the unknown.
The Bird of Paradise Flower is a little globe of paradise.
All in all, the Bird of Paradise and its many colors, long stems, and unique structure captivate and enthrall humans. As it blooms, it reminds us of the beauty of paradise and how much we need these paradisiacal blooms in our lives to stay close to nature.
These paradise plants and Bird of Paradise flowers are a beautiful representation of what this world has to offer, and we should cherish them as such.
Up Next: How To Grow and Care for Bird of Paradise Plants
*Photo by KarepaStock/depositphotos
