Flowers-permanence in a changing world
Times have changed. With the changing times, there is a dramatic transformation in the world around us. A lot of values and objects we attached significance to have crumbled or vanished and new ethics and institutions have taken their place. The flexibility and amenability of human nature is evident in the way all of us have adjusted to the changing times. But perhaps, all of us adjust to new things because we are certain that some things will never change. So, whenever we feel lost in the new world, we hold on to the permanence of the few things that stay just as they are to help us drift through the turbulent tides.
These permanent things that we hold on to are usually an intrinsic part of our culture, religion or tradition. The fact that we still believe in certain values that our forefathers instilled in us gives us peace and contentment in the fast changing world of today. When we talk of one of the oldest tradition that is part of almost very culture around the world, what comes first to the mind is the eminence given to nature and especially to Flowers. Flowers enjoy an enviable position of prominence in all cultures around the world. Many among us will perhaps be surprised to know that the significance of flowers has carried on from the Middle Ages when flowers were considered to be a prerequisite of a lengthy love affair.
There are umpteen references to many flowers in the Bible and flowers were believed to have curative powers which were sometimes interpreted as magical. The importance of flowers became so pronounced in the Victorian era that people paid more attention to the scent of the flower they were carrying than the clothes they were wearing. Each flower had a symbolic significance and people used this fact to convey their heartfelt emotions to their loved ones. In the Roman culture, it was believed that white roses grew where the tears of Venus fell. In China, it is believed that a Chrysanthemum that has been used to wipe one’s mouth after a drink of wine should be given to a beloved as a sign of undying love and devotion.
It is indeed amazing that floral gifts remain the most favorite gifting item in almost all countries around the world. Isn’t that strange, considering the plethora of gifts available in the market for all occasions? In my opinion, love for flowers in a world so wrought with materialism is mankind’s way of telling each other that we all still believe strongly in our basic values.