Yellow is one of those interesting colors we don’t often talk about. You don’t see a lot of people wearing yellow, and maybe you’ll see the occasional house painted this sunshine color.
But flowers come in yellow in abundance, and the symbolism and meaning behind those yellow flowers is rich enough to research and discuss at length.
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Plants and Flowers and the Meaning of Their Color Throughout History
Since even before we were humans and still roaming the earth as our apelike ancestors, we have had to learn about flowers and plants. They were here long before we came along, and they can nurture us, feed the animals we eat as protein, or kill us.
Learning which plants did what was essential to survival. We hunted for animal protein, and we gathered plants, and most of the time, there was more to gather than there was to hunt.
As we evolved, so did our relationship with plants and our knowledge of what could help and what could harm. We realized that not only could some plants sustain us but that others could act as medicine for our sick bodies and that as with most medicine, the difference between medicine and poison was in the dose.
Belladonna is a plant that acts as a strong sleep aid and was even given to babies to help them get a good night’s rest, but in larger doses it is lethal.
Mushrooms can heal the brain and the body from serious damage, or they can give you hallucinations and even cause death. So many plants have this duality that it was critical humans learn the distinctions.
Then, as we grew more sophisticated and civilized, we began giving flowers as gifts and growing our own gardens. We told stories of the power of flowers, and those stories ended up in our oral traditions, in Greek and Roman mythology, and in the Bible in western traditions.
Today, we still carry much of that symbolism with us, and that extends to the meaning and symbolism of yellow flowers.
Yellow Plants and Flowers and Their Historic Symbolism
You’ve probably already heard that yellow roses symbolize friendship. In general, yellow flowers and plants represent happiness and joy, and no wonder. Who doesn’t feel better when the sun is shining down on you?
Even if you can’t quite place your finger on the color of the sun, a bright and sunny day, especially peeking through the leaves of trees and bushes, feels yellow. And if you think about those sunny days, you can also remember how much fun you’ve had frolicking in nature, running through fields of green grass and rolling down hills.
For this reason, yellow is a symbol of fun and enthusiasm. It is an inherently childlike color, meant for big, bold, yet innocent feelings.
Thus, it makes sense that you would give yellow flowers to people for whom you have these big, sweet, fun feelings, like a friend, a partner, or a longtime loved one. Sometimes, yellow flowers are even given to say goodbye to someone you have to leave for a short or long period of time.
So, on national friendship day, you now know what color flower to gift. Yellow.
Yellow Plants and Flowers and Their Meanings
Roses
Of course, we have to begin with roses. A dozen yellow roses are the ultimate symbol that you have deep love for a friend that you hope lasts forever. Give a bouquet of long-stemmed roses alone or add a touch of baby’s breath to show someone you really care.
Tulips
Tulips are a great flower to show your feelings for someone because they take such care and patience to blossom and thrive. Give yellow tulips, or even better, tulip bulbs for someone to plant to let them know you feel happy when you’re with them. Because they have long been a flower symbolizing elegance, tulips are also a great gift for one of your more posh friends.
Daffodils
It seems daffodils will forever arrive as the first sign of spring. They are a quintessential Easter flower, so they’re a great gift for a deeply spiritual or religious friend. Again, you can give these in the form of a spring bouquet to sit in a lovely vase in someone’s home and remind of your devotion, or you can offer seeds or bulbs to plant. Growing daffodils in the yard is sure to keep you fresh in your loved one’s memory.
Marigolds
If daffodils and tulips are spring flowers, there is no flower that says fall more than the marigold. They are an intense friendship flower as they are often used in rituals and religious ceremonies.
They are also native to the Americas, so they are a classic flower in the western mind. In Mexico, marigolds are used to lay on altars and pathways for the Day of the Dead celebrations, helping our loved ones visit us from the afterlife. Marigolds are a great flower to give to someone who has suffered loss, to place on a grave, or to bring into a house of mourning.
Sunflowers
Finally, we cannot forget the sunflower, the tall, stately, shifting flower that always faces the sun. Another flower native to North America, these large blooms are easy to grow and care for and are far more fun to give as seeds or sprouts, so your friend or loved one can plant them along a fence line and watch them thrive.
They are the flower that most symbolizes adoration as the sunflower will always turn to face the sun. Give them to a friend you simply adore.
Ultimately, yellow flowers are a wonderful gift for friends and family to show them you just really like them! Give them as a mixed or single bouquet, as an indoor plant, or as something special for the garden.
What’s your favorite yellow flower? Do you give them as gifts?
Let me know in the comments. I love to hear from my readers.
