Last week’s blog on ‘The many faces of chrysanthemum’ seems to have been chopped off before we got down to answering why chrysanthemums are associated with Mothers’ Day in Australia. The period around Mothers’ Day is one of the year’s busiest for Australian florists who sell enormous quantities of gift-wrapped cut and potted chrysanthemums of all colours for the day. So, why are chrysanthemums associated with Mothers’ Day in Australia?
Mothers’ Day appears to have morphed from reputed origins as an ancient Greek day celebrating the mother of the gods, through the 17th Century’s Mothering Sunday (celebrated in Europe on the last Sunday of Lent) to what is now a widespread occasion followed in some form in most countries.
Perhaps not unexpectedly, no wise or ancient belief in the power of chrysanthemums to bring good fortune, sinus relief or longevity underpins their use as the Australian Mothers’ Day flower. It’s thought that the association of chrysanthemums with Mothers’ Day in Australia is likely to be related to the fact that they are cheap and naturally in bloom in May!
But, as we discussed last week, chrysanthemums have different meanings in different cultures and circumstances. Many, many mothers (and grandmothers) out there will be impressed by a florist who takes the time to make sure the flowers they sell to eager (but perhaps culturally unaware) children and grandchildren really say, ‘I love you’.
If you work in the floristry industry or you’re simply looking to give a culturally appropriate and sensitive gift or tribute, be aware of, and beware, the many faces of chrysanthemum.
