The Legend of a Flower
True love’s difficult to find, but if you are fortunate enough to have found it, be sure to give your beloved a “forget-me-not” - Myosotis Sylvatica, from the ‘Bora ginaceae’ botanical family, is regarded as an emblem of loving remembrance, faithful love, constancy and undying hope.
- Myosotis Sylvatica -
The Forget-me-not flower has five, bright blue, regular petals that surround a yellow center. The flower is 1/2″ wide. The flowers grow near the end of the stem, each having its own short stalk off of the main stem. When the plant first emerges the stem is curled at the end; when the flowers begin to bloom the stem uncurls. The stem grows 6-12″ high. The simple leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the stem. Leaves are lance-shaped and are 1-2″ long. Both the leaves and stem are covered in fine hair. Forget-me-nots grow in mats with a widespread root system.
A Legend?
There are many myths and legends attached to the naming of the Forget-Me-Not flower. In a German legend, God named all the plants when a tiny unnamed one cried out, “Forget-me-not, O Lord!” God replied, “That shall be your name.” In another legend, the little flower cried out, “Forget-me-not!” as Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden.
However, the most romantic legend as to how the Forget-Me-Not gained its name is a medieval legend. It’s said that who wore this flower wouldn’t be forgotten by his or her lover. There are two stories that illustrate the flower’s significance among lovers and explain the common name, although both have tragic endings. In the first story, a suitor was picking this flower for his love and saw the perfect specimen. It was close to the cliff’s edge but he reached for it anyway. Losing his balance, the man plummeted over the cliff, shouting, “Forget me not!” as he fell. The second story originates in Germany. A knight and his lovely lady were walking along a riverbank. He was picking this flower for her when he tripped and fell into the river. Before he went under he threw the small bouquet to her and shouted “vergiss mein nicht”, the German name of the flower.
Forget-Me-Not – a Symbol of Love
In the Victorian language of flowers, the Forget-Me-Not flower was interpreted as meaning faithful or true love; the Forget-Me-Not was also exchanged between Lady Chatterley and her lover in D.H. Lawrence’s novel Lady Chatterley’s Lover. It is also said that in 15th century Germany, the Forget-Me-Not was worn by one lover in recognition of not forgetting the other.
Forget-Me-Not – a Symbol of Remembrance
The Forget-Me-Not has been used as a symbol of remembrance for those who have suffered or have been lost in war; in Newfoundland, Canada, Forget-Me-Not flowers are worn on July 1 each year in memory of those who died in World War I. The Forget-Me-Not is also worn as a Masonic symbol in recognition of those who have suffered in the name of Freemasonry, particularly during the Nazi regime of World War II.
And one more interesting story is the Journey of flowers in Tet Holiday!! Are you curious?? Let’s Enjoy it! Journey of Flowers!
