A beautiful perennial wildflower, the columbine is a hardy flower that will bloom in partial shade or even in a woodland setting. These flowers are small and delicate, but despite their tiny stature, they hold serious depth and meaning.
The meaning of the flower has varied a bit throughout history, but the beauty of this flower has truly stood the test of time.
What Does Columbine Mean?
The scientific (or Latin) name of columbine is Aquilegia. This name translates roughly to the Latin word “aquila” or “eagle.” The flower is aptly named. ne flower’s scientific name, Aquilegia, is derived from the Latin word “aquila,” which means “eagle.” The eagle’s claw-like petals and gold pistils found in several columbine species further reinforce this reference.
As the eagle has, the columbine has adapted to survive in its unique environment.
The columbine flower is also associated with good fortune, positive energy, and spiritual enlightenment in many cultures. The Victorians considered it an ideal gift for expressing neglected love or intense emotion, while the fool card in tarot decks often depicts a columbine flower.
According to Greek and Roman mythology, the columbine flower symbolizes finding harmony and expanded consciousness. The ancient Greeks believed that the columbine flower was sacred to the fertility goddess Freya, and Norse mythology associated it with the primal energy of Nordic goddesses.
Botanical Characteristics of the Columbine Flower (and Other Interesting Facts)
This flower belongs to the Aquilegia genus and comprises around 70 species, including the much-loved Rocky Mountain columbine. It’s typically found at high elevations or higher altitudes. This mountain climber has significant symbolism.
One of the most noticeable botanical characteristics of the columbine flower is its spurred petals, which look like eagle’s talons or even a court jester’s hat. The star-like outer petals come in various colors, ranging from blue columbine to pink columbine, white columbine, and even red columbine flower species.
The columbine flower offers other meaningful botanical characteristics. It goes by different names, including granny’s bonnet, and it can grow in full sun or mixed shade locations with well-draining soil. Columbine plants are also easily propagated but require a half dose of general-purpose flower fertilizer to avoid spot-prone leaves.
Columbine flowers are also known to attract sphinx moths, making them an excellent option for a pollinator garden. They bloom in late spring and make lovely cut flowers for flower arrangements. Furthermore, the columbine flower has medicinal purposes and has been used to treat various ailments, including respiratory issues, fever, and digestive problems.
What Do Columbines Symbolize?
If you’re a lover of beautiful flowers and their deeper meanings, then you’ll be fascinated by the symbolic meanings of the columbine flower. Let’s dive into this amazing flower’s background and enigmatic message!
In Nordic mythology, the columbine was believed to be linked to the goddess of love and fertility, Freyja. This again reflects the flower’s symbolic meaning of love and romance. The Christian religion also embraced the columbine because of its resemblance to the Holy Spirit’s dove.
The columbine flower loves to grow at high elevations such as in alpine regions, and mountain climbers have often admired the flower’s beauty at such high altitudes. It is also the state flower of Colorado, where it was discovered during the heyday of the gold rush.
Columbines are a great addition to any flower bed because they are perennial plants, meaning they bloom year after year. This is why they are popular in wedding bouquets and were considered perfect for court Jesters.
Interestingly, the columbine flower is not a popular choice for gardeners because it’s a “thankless flower”. It doesn’t bloom or thrive well with other plants. Thus, it is best planted in small quantities, and other plants should avoid planting it next to them, lest they risk becoming “jealous of the columbine’s beauty,” as mythology goes.
Columbine Color Meaning
While most columbines have yellow flowers, there are also variations with purple or red colors. The purple columbine represents risk-taking and courage, while the red columbine symbolizes more passion. The white columbine flower meaning is associated with the Holy Spirit and the concept of platonic love.
Let’s break down the different columbine flower color meanings even further:
What Does a Purple Columbine Mean?
Most purple flowers represent nobility, beauty, and royalty—the columbine is no exception.
This flower also symbolizes finding harmony and spiritual enlightenment. It’s a great gift for someone who is on a spiritual journey or a seeker of deeper meaning in life. In fact, many cultures have long associated the columbine flower with expanded consciousness and higher states of being.
What Does a Yellow Columbine Symbolize?
Yellow columbines are stunning and represent success, happiness, and friendship. They evoke warmth and joy, making them perfect gifts for friends and family members. The bright and vibrant hue of yellow columbine flowers makes them great for creating flower arrangements that add life and energy to any space.
Yellow columbines also have a rich history in Greek mythology. According to mythology, yellow columbines sprouted where the goddess Aphrodite’s tears fell as she mourned the death of Adonis. Therefore, yellow columbines represent eternal happiness and good fortune.
What Does a Red Columbine Mean?
Red columbines symbolize passion and love, particularly love between romantic partners. These gorgeous flowers have long been associated with romantic love and make great additions to bouquets gifted to spouses, partners, or significant others.
In Shakespeare’s time, the columbine flower was used to represent betrayal, which is showcased in Hamlet when Gertrude tells how King Claudius killed her husband. Despite its negative association in literature, the red columbine remains a popular choice for romantic occasions such as Valentine’s Day and wedding anniversaries.
What Does a White Columbine Represent?
White columbines are stunning and represent innocence, purity, and spirituality. They are a popular choice for weddings and make lovely additions to a bride’s bouquet. White columbines’ association with innocence and purity can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where they were often used in religious ceremonies dedicated to the goddesses Artemis and Diana.
White columbines are also associated with the Christian symbolism of the Holy Trinity, and they were believed to be the perfect gift for anyone seeking spiritual enlightenment. The delicate beauty of the white columbine flower is truly a sight to behold, and it makes a perfect gift for anyone who values purity and clarity of thought.
What is the Cultural Significance of a Columbine?
Let’s talk about the columbine’s history and origins. This flower is native to the Northern Hemisphere and can be found in many different countries and regions, from the Rocky Mountains of North America to the alpine regions of Europe. It’s a perennial plant, meaning it comes back year after year, and it’s often found in flower beds and other outdoor spaces.
One of the most interesting things about the columbine is its symbolic value. Depending on the culture and tradition, this flower can represent a wide range of things. In Christian tradition, it’s often used to symbolize piety, reverence, and fear of God. In Celtic culture, the columbine is associated with dreams and visions, and is believed to be a gateway to other worlds. Austrians, on the other hand, see the flower as representing five doves flying in a circle.
In addition to its cultural significance, the columbine has some fascinating historical and literary connections. William Browne, an English poet from the Victorian era, wrote about the flower in his poem “The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors.” And of course, the flower is famously mentioned in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, where Ophelia risks her life to gather columbines by a stream.
But perhaps the most interesting aspect of columbine symbolism is its association with risk-taking and sexual passion. Native Americans believed that the flower could protect mountain climbers and make them more passionate, while Victorian court jesters would use it to play pranks and make sexual jabs at their audience.
The columbine is that state flower of Colorado and is an important species for pollinators like hummingbirds.
What is the Symbolism of a Columbine Tattoo?
Columbine tattoos aren’t the most common selections, but usually, they are chosen by Christians to symbolize the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (including knowledge, piety, wisdom, etc). They can also be used to symbolize a general sense of happiness and internal strength.
If you are contemplating getting a columbine flower tattoo, a yellow columbine could be an excellent choice. The bright yellow hue of the columbine flower perfectly captures the symbolism and meanings associated with the color. It is a representation of a positive attitude and the pursuit of happiness.
When Should You Give Someone a Columbine?
The columbine flower is a great choice to give on occasions such as the welcoming of spring and to give the fortitude to see a project through. These flowers can also be used as symbols of thanks to a friend or coworker. The columbine is also a birth flower that can be given to people who were born in May or early June.
*Photo by imagebrokermicrostock/depositphotos
