You aren’t likely to describe a delphinium as being showstopping or showy, but rather, it’s subtle nature is one that deserves appreciation in your garden.
This plant produces dense clumps of lovely purple flowers, each of which spreads across the ground and nicely fills in the spaces around shrubs and trees.
With its quiet, unassuming nature, many people assume that with delphinium flowers, what you see is what you get. However, there is some deep symbolism to the delphinium flower that you deserve to know about.
What Does Delphinium Mean?
The name “delphinium” which was derived from the Greek word “delphis”, originally means dolphin. This is because, if you pluck a single bloom from the tallest spike on the plant, it will look a lot like a dolphin leaping out from the side.
Delphiniums are also referred to as meadow flowers, bird’s claw, lark’s spur, larkspur, and knight’s spur.
What Does the Delphinium Flower Symbolize?
A member of the buttercup family, the delphinium does not sport the same cheerful yellow shades but nevertheless has a meaning that is quite similar to the buttercup flower’s meaning.
Not only can this flower represent your ability to strive – and achieve – your goals, but it can also symbolize new opportunities and openness to new feelings and emotions. It’s often given as a romantic plant as a result of this.
The tall flowering spikes of this meadow flower can celebrate virtually any positive occasion and symbolizes the lighter side of life. It’s also the flower used to represent birthdays in July and can represent protection against all kinds of dangers.
There are many delphinium flower color meanings to keep in mind. Let’s take a closer look at the flower meaning based on the color of these beautiful flowers.
What Does a Blue Delphinium Mean?
A blue delphinium flower is just one of the two or three different shades in which you will find this plant. Blue delphiniums generally represent dignity and grace, although they can represent youth, new life, and remembrance, too.
What Does a Pink Delphinium Flower Symbolize?
Pink delphiniums can carry all of the symbolic meaning of blue delphiniums. However, they can also celebrate new life and birth and are often used to represent the birth of a baby – particularly a daughter or a granddaughter.
What Does a Purple Delphinium Flower Represent?
As you’re likely aware, the color purple symbolizes royalty. Purple delphiniums are the perfect flower to give to someone celebrating a new accomplishment, like graduation.
Consider giving a purple delphinium by itself or in a flower arrangement to someone you love!
What is the Cultural Significance of the Delphinium?
Delphiniums are grown all over the United States and Europe, where they are found all over wild, uncultivated meadows. It was traditionally used as a dye plant and was also gathered to express goodwill and cheer toward others.
Traditionally, delphinium was carried to protect against scorpion stings. It was also traded as a representation of courage and good fortune, while others planted delphiniums to remember lost loved ones.
Delphinium was used as a medicinal plant in medieval times. It was taken to ward off internal parasites as well as to promote a good appetite, relaxation, and restful sleep.
It is not used as often for its medicinal value today, as toxins in the plant can cause your blood pressure and heart rate to drop to dangerous levels.
What is the Symbolism of a Delphinium Flower Tattoo?
Get a delphinium tattoo, and you could be conveying multiple meanings. Most often chosen as a lighthearted, fun tattoo, it can be used to symbolize attachment along with a generous spirit. It is often surrounded by other whimsical images when chosen as a tattoo, too.
When Should You Give Someone a Delphinium Flower?
Now that you know the delphinium flower meaning, when is the best time to give someone a bouquet of delphinium flowers?
The delphinium is the ideal choice if you want to encourage someone to do his or her best. If you know someone who is approaching a challenging test, job interview, or obstacle, the flower can help inspire them to do their best. It is also given to people who might have a July birthday as well as to new romantic partners.
So what are you waiting for? Now that you know the meaning and symbolism of this gorgeous blue flower, give some lovely bouquet arrangements today!
*Photo by ekina1/depositphotos
