Hyacinth Flower Symbolism Facts & Meaning: Zodiac, Superstitions, Dreams, and Legends
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Hyacinth Flower Facts
Hyacinths, which are prized by gardeners for their indescribable aroma, are especially rewarding every spring when their happy, colorful blossoms soothe our winter-weary spirits.
The Hyacinth was also considered a symbol of sporting activities by the ancient Victorians, including the discus.
In France, Madame de Pompadour was an early proponent of the plant, and soon every titled lady was stuffing Hyacinth Flowers down her cleavage to surround herself with a sweet-smelling cloud.
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Hyacinth Flower Uses
The leaves, bulbs, and sap of the plant have anti-microbic properties and are also anti-bacterial and antifungal. Best for treatment of ailments such as eczema and other skin diseases. Its hypocholesterolemic properties can help lower and control bad cholesterol.
Hyacinth is also widely used in Chinese medicine for digestive issues such as bloating, diarrhea, worms in the intestine, and flatulence. It can also relieve nausea.
For snake bites, have a poultice with leaf extract applied to the area to heal the wound and draw out venom. Can also work wonders for painful and inflamed ears.
Since a single liter of Hyacinth perfume requires 6000kg of Hyacinth Flowers, it was a premium product until the advent of synthetic perfumes.
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Hyacinth Flower History
Hyacinths are delightfully scented bulbs with beautiful flower spikes packed with a lot of florets that are symbols of peace, devotion, and beauty. They originated from the Hyacinthus orientalis species, which was identified in 1562 and has its origins in north-western Syria, Lebanon, and central and southern Turkey.
Hyacinths were introduced to Western Europe in the 16th century, where the Dutch, as with all things bulb-related, became masters of cultivar breeding. Dutch bulb farmers had produced more than 2000 different cultivars.
Hyacinth Flowers come in a variety of hues, including deep blue, vivid magenta, light pink, purple, and white. Although it has Greek mythology as its starting point, it actually began in the Eastern Mediterranean and didn’t spread across Europe until the 18th century.
When King Friedrich Wilhelm III personally grew the Hyacinth in his palace, these spring flowers gained popularity in Germany. But it was well known that the French employed them for poisoning and intoxication.
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Hyacinth Flower Positive Symbolism
The Hyacinth is the flower of the sun god Apollo, and it represents peace, commitment, beauty, power, and pride.
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Hyacinth Flower Negative Symbolism
Hyacinths are commonly associated with jealousy and sorrow, similar to the tragic story from Greek mythology about Hyacinthus, Apollo, Thamyris, and Zephyrus involving jealousy.
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Hyacinth Flower Cultural Symbolism
For Indians, this word was synonymous with “rainy season,” and it is worth noting that they bloom at this time of year. What is interesting is that in this country, giving Hyacinth to a wedding is frowned upon.
In Christian churches, the Hyacinth is a popular symbol of happiness and love. The Hyacinth is sometimes thought to represent Christian prudence, peace of mind, and a desire for Heaven.
In some cultures, such as Kenya and the surrounding areas, boiled Hyacinth beans are used to treat a variety of female problems. Some cultures believe it promotes lactation and is also used to improve overall female health. The flowers are also used to regulate menstrual cycles.
Young girls in Ancient Greece crowded in their braids flowers of Hyacinth to show that they are ready to marry. This was especially observed at weddings. As a result, the word “Hyacinth” in this country meant admiration for love.
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Hyacinth Flower Zodiac Sign
Besides being associated to Virgo for attention to detail and care, the Hyacinth is also a dragon in the Chinese zodiac. The dragon is one of the most iconic mythical creatures in Chinese culture, representing good fortune and authority. People born under the Dragon zodiac are generous and creative, despite their strength. The highly fragrant Hyacinth is the lucky flower for those born this year.
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Hyacinth Flower in Dreams
If you dreamed of Hyacinth, it means that one of your friends or loved ones will betray your trust. Hyacinth in a dream of collecting them means you are waiting for separation from your loved one. You will be sad about the separation, but you will understand that separation was necessary at some point.
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Hyacinth Flower Omens and Superstitions
When the tulip craze faded in the Netherlands many years ago, the Genoea Shopping Ship crashed off the coast of this country. One of the boxes from the ship landed on the ground, crashing against the coastal rocks. It poured out a lot of small bulbs, which quickly rooted in the ground and sprouted. Local residents began to consider a bouquet of Hyacinths to be a sign of unexpected good luck, new victories, and accomplishments at the same time.
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Hyacinth Flower Mythology and Folklore
Apollo, the sun god, fell in love with Hyacinthus, a very handsome Spartan young prince. But it wasn’t just Apollo who was in love with him, but also, a human named Thamyris, and Zephyrus, the god of the North wind. However, it was Apollo that won the young prince’s love.
Apollo and Hyacinthus decided to play in the field one day. Apollo threw the discus, and it hit Hyacinthus in the head, causing the young lad’s death. But there are stories depicting that Zephyrus made the winds move the discus to hit Hyacinthus because he was jealous.
Apollo was so grieved at the death of Hyacinthus, that he promised to do all he can to become a mortal and die with him. But being a god, this is not possible. So he made a promise he would always remember Hyacinthus through his songs and melodies made from his lyre. He also turned Hyacinthus blood into a flower, called it Hyacinth, and engraved in its petals “AI AI” meaning “alas”.
Hyacinthus’ tale is tragic, but it also has a historical significance. The suffix “-nth” in Hyacinthus suggests that the name is actually rather old, a holdover from a pre-Greek language that existed before the rise of ancient Greek culture as we know it. “Corinth” and “labyrinth” are two other examples (see the Minotaur myth).
Some believe that the myth of Apollo sadly slaying Hyacinthus is symbolic. Hyacinthus was perhaps an older native nature god (because of his ancient name having the pre-Greek “nth”) who was superseded by the Olympian Apollo. By having the new deity “murder” the old one, the myth preserves this cultural transition in the shape of a narrative.
It was said that according to Pausanias (Spartan commander during the Greco-Persian Wars), the Spartan throne of Apollo featured an image of a bearded Hyacinthus and Polyboea being carried to heaven by Aphrodite, Athena, and Artemis. Hyacinthus was eventually resurrected by Apollo and have obtained immortality.
One of the main Spartan festivals, Hyacinthia, which was observed during the Spartan month of Hyacinthia, had Hyacinthus as its tutelary deity (in early summer). The three-day festival included a day of grief for Hyacinth’s passing and two days of celebration for his rebirth, though there is debate among academics over how the honors were distributed.
In contrast to all the other festivals of Apollo, people did not sing songs or eat much on the first day as a sign of mourning. Boys and young men’s choirs performed some of their national anthems and danced on the second day. The girls, meanwhile, were either displayed in chariots drawn by two horses or carried in adorned wicker carts. Even their own servants were entertained by citizens’ friends. Similar to the peplos given to Athena on the occasion of the Panathenaic Games, the Laconian women made an annual chiton for Apollo and gave it to him. The third day is less well-known, hence mysteries were likely kept there.
The event is called a “merry midnight festival”. This celebration was so significant that Amyclaeans would always return home as the Hyacinthia season approached, and Lacedaemonians would occasionally agree to a forty-day truce with the town of Eira just to be able to return home and enjoy the national festival. After the treaty with Sparta, in order to show their goodwill towards Sparta, the Athenians made a yearly commitment to attend the Hyacinthia festival.
