Geranium Flower Symbolism Facts & Meaning: Zodiac, Superstitions, Dreams, and Legends
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Geranium Flower Facts
Geranium Flowers are commonly known as cranesbill or hardy Geraniums. These hardy perennial flowers are often confused with the annual Pelargonium because they share the common name Geranium. They also belong to the same family Geraniacaea. Geranium is a genus that has over 400 species. They are extremely easy to grow with most species being winter-hardy plants and require well-drained soil.
These hardy Geranium plants usually grow low and densely on the ground. Geraniums bloom above the foliage into small symmetrical five-petal cup-shaped flowers. The petals are veiny and can grow in the colors magenta, white, pink, periwinkle blue, and purple.
Geranium Flowers can be naturally found in every temperate region in the world with most of the diversity of species centered in the Mediterranean. They can thrive in woodlands, rocky areas, prairies, and alpine meadows.
The name Geranium came from the Greek “geranos” which translates to “crane”. The flower has elongated capsules at its center with tips resembling a crane’s bill, earning its common name cranesbill from the English. When fruits are ripe, the capsules explode allowing the seeds to spread and propagate.
Many Geranium species have a natural floral fragrance that is often compared to smelling like roses. There are also Geranium scents that are similar to citronella.
Moths love to eat Geranium Flowers, specifically the brown-tail moth, ghost moth, and mouse moth. Pollinators love Geranium Flowers for their rich nectar contents. One Geranium species, the sticky purple Geranium, or Geranium viscosissimum, is considered to be photocarnivorous.
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Geranium Flower Uses
Geraniums are beloved garden flowers mainly because of how extremely easy it is to grow them. They can be grown in flower beds, containers, as borders, and many more.
The Geranium plant is found to have medicinal properties especially its root. It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
Native Americans and European settlers used Geraniums to cure many ailments including excessive bleeding, toothaches, sore throats, hemorrhages, wounds, burns, and minor skin problems. Geraniums were also used to relieve symptoms of diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome.
Tea from Geranium leaves, flowers, or roots can help soothe stomach aches. It is also used as an effective mouthwash to soothe inflamed gums. Geraniums are also traditionally used to repel mosquitos and soothe insect stings.
Geranium Flowers produce plentiful oil that can be used in perfume for their pleasant scent. They are also available for use in deodorants, diuretics, and tonics.
Every part of the Geranium plant is edible. It can be used in tea. The essential oils are also useful in baking to bring a floral flavor to cakes, jellies, and also vinegar. Geranium petals can be used to garnish meals.
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Geranium Flower History
Geraniums are native to most temperate climates. Early inhabitants love to use the plant in their herbal medicine because of the plant’s antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. With over 400 different species of Geranium, different places have different names for this majestic flower including Cranesbill, Odin’s Grace, and Herb Robert.
There are many early records that indicates the Europeans and Native Americans use Geraniums in treating various ailments. In North America, both European settlers and Native Americans used Geraniums for stomach ailments and STDs.
Geraniums are often confused with the closely related Pelargonium even by enthusiast gardeners. Both once belonged to the same genus but the two were separated into individual genera in 1789 by French botanist Charles L’Heritier.
Thomas Jefferson was credited with introducing Geraniums to American gardens in 1786 when he planted the flowers in his Monticello garden, but it was actually the annual Pelargoniums.
Today, true Geraniums are popular garden flowers with hundreds of hybrids resulting from centuries of cultivation.
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Geranium Flower Positive Symbolism
Geraniums are steeped with positive symbolism. Geraniums represent spirituality, love, peace, elegance, and healing for their many medicinal uses. Gifting Geraniums often mean positive things like conveying the message of good health, friendship, ease of frustration, fertility, protection, and joy.
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Geranium Flower Negative Symbolism
The negative symbolism of Geraniums centered during the Victorian era. Because of their hardy nature, Geraniums are common flowers to grow on pots for terrace windows. This became a symbol of a lack of taste amongst the bourgeois. They attributed negative symbols like stupidity, foolishness, envy, deceit, and folly to the light pretty flower.
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Geranium Flower Cultural Symbolism
Because Geraniums naturally grow all over the world in temperate climates, it is attributed to many symbols from different cultures. In Japan, Geraniums are a symbol of longevity, in China immortality, and prosperity in Egypt.
Geraniums are closely associated with several religions like Islam and Christianity. It often symbolizes gods like Odin and saints.
The Geranium species named wood cranesbill or Geranium sylvaticum is the official city flower of the City of Sheffield in the United Kingdom.
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Geranium Flower Zodiac Sign
Geraniums are closely associated with the zodiac sign Scorpio. Scorpios are mysterious signs that do not show their true selves to just about anyone, except their close circle of friends. Much like how Geranium Flowers bloom in clusters.
Scorpios have many sides to them that may surprise people who do not know them all that well similar to how Geranium Flowers which come in different colors.
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Geranium Flower in Dreams
There are several meanings if one dream of Geranium Flowers, depending on the context of the dream and on the situation of the dreamer in life.
Dreaming of Geraniums can mean the coming of unexpected wealth and possessing renewed optimism. This can mean that a problem may not be as awful in reality. However, dreaming of a Geranium Flower can also mean foolishness.
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Geranium Flower Omens and Superstitions
Throughout history, Geranium Flowers are components of spells like love spells and spells for protection. It was believed that brushing the leaves of Geranium plants on windows and doorknobs brings security and protection to the house.
Roots of the Geranium were once worn around the neck as charms for protection against bad spirits. On the other hand, Geranium tea was believed to be an effective love potion.
In the feng shui tradition, having Geranium Flowers in a home cleanses the air which brings positive energy and a harmonious relationship between spouses.
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Geranium Flower Mythology and Folklore
Geraniums became a sacred flower to the Prophet Muhammed. According to legend, the prophet bathe in a river and hung his shirt on a humble bush to dry. When the shirt dried, he blessed the bush plant which transformed and grew into pretty Geranium Flowers.
