Native to China, the camellia flower has a rich history and an even more vibrant cultural significance. The flower grows wild in the southwestern region of the country and is also well-respected in Japan and other nations.
This flower holds multiple meanings besides its inherent beauty. Commonly chosen as a tattoo symbol and even as an ornamental flower, this beautiful planet is entrenched in hidden meaning.
What Does Camellia Mean?
In Latin, the word “camellia” translates to “helper to the priest,” as named by Carl Linnaeus. The flower was named after the Jesuit botanist Father Georg Joseph Kamel, a man who practiced botany for pharmaceutical purposes in the 1600s.
There are several types of camellia flowers to grow, including Camellia japonica and Camellia sinensis.
Kamel worked extensively in the Philippines, where he dedicated much of his life and his work to creating new medicinal treatments from plants.
A few more camellia flower facts?
Camellia leaves are often used to make tea, hence the nickname “tea plant.” Camellia blooms offer a variety of touted health benefits and are often used in essential oils. Camellia oil is often used in skincare products, where they are prized for their anti aging properties and other benefits.
In the past, camellia blooms were used in traditional tea ceremonies as well as in cooking oil. They have a strong role in samurai tradition – in addition to being absolutely breathtaking to behold!
These flowers bloom in late winter to early spring. They are a common design element in Chinese and Japanese decor.
What Does the Camellia Flower Symbolize?
The camellia flower symbolizes love, devotion, affection, and admiration. Found in multiple colors, camellia plant holds significant value in cultures all around the world.
The flower can also symbolize refinement, perfection, and faithfulness, depending on the color and context of the bloom. These beautiful flowers are used in Chinese New Year celebrations.
In Japan, the camellia flower is often used in religious ceremonies, as it symbolizes divinity. In Korea, it is also viewed as a symbol of faithfulness. In Victorian England, camellias were used to send the message that the recipient was adorable.
There are a few different colors of camellia blooms, too, each of which holds special significance and means something different…
What Does a White Camellia Flower Mean?
A white camellia symbolizes purity or good luck. It can also represent the love between a mother and child and is often used in mourning arrangements as a result.
White camellias are also mentioned repeatedly in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In the novel, one of the main characters, Jem, cuts the camellias growing in the garden of an intolerant, racist old lady.
The woman eventually passes away, but not before revealing to Jem that she has been struggling with a morphine addiction. When she dies, she leaves Jem a box with a white camellia, symbolizing her patience and understanding.
What Does a Red Camellia Flower Symbolize?
Red camellia flowers can symbolize romantic love, passion, longing, or desire. Red camellias are often used to symbolize events related to heart disease prevention as well.
What Do Pink Camellia Flowers Symbolize?
Like red camellias, pink camellia flowers generally symbolize love and affection. Other pink camellia flower meanings include good luck and well wishes.
What Do Yellow Camellia Flowers Symbolize?
Probably the rarest color of camellia blooms, ellow camellia flowers hold significant symbolic value and are popularly used to
represent optimism, joy, and friendship. They are often used to convey gratitude and appreciation, making them ideal for expressing warm feelings towards loved ones. The vibrant yellow hue of these flowers also symbolizes cheerfulness and positivity, making them a perfect gift for someone going through a tough time.
Moreover, these flowers are also regarded as a good omen and are often given to wish someone good luck. In some cultures, yellow camellias are also believed to represent prosperity and success, making them a suitable choice for business gifts or to offer congratulations on a job well done.
In addition, camellia flowers, in general, are associated with loyalty and faithfulness. Thus, a yellow camellia can be given to someone to whom you vow long-term commitment such as a best friend or a partner.
What is the Cultural Significance of the Camellia Flower?
In China, the camellia flower is traditionally viewed as a union between two lovers. The delicate petals represent the woman while the green, leafy portion of the stem that holds the petals together, known as the calyx, represents the protective man. Both components are joined together, even after death.
The meaning here has to do with the unique nature of the camellia flower. When a flower dies, the petals and calyx usually separate. With the camellia, however, the petals and calyx fall away together – a symbol of undying, everlasting love.
There are more than 40,000 registered cultivars of camellia and it is the official state flower of Alabama.
What is the Symbolism of a Camellia Tattoo?
If you are considering getting a camellia tattoo, it’s probably not just because you think it would be beautiful (although it will be, of course). Most people get camellia tattoos as representations of longing, passion, desire, and perfection.
However, various colors can hold different meanings. Pink camellias usually represent longing, while white is more innocent in its symbolism. A camellia flower of any color can also symbolize gratitude, love, or devotion, too.
When Should You Give Someone a Camellia Flower?
Camellia flowers are appropriate in most settings. If you choose a pink or red flower, be aware that you may be signaling the romantic intentions of the recipient! However, white blooms are acceptable as gifts in most cases, as they usually symbolize patience and faithfulness.
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