From daisy chains to those goofy daisy-covered sunglasses on my bureau, daisies are ubiquitous in summer. But what about daisy symbolism–is there such a thing?
Of course! Every flower has a history, after all. In the Victorians’ famous “language” of flowers, daisies could mean anything from “farewell” to “I agree.” That said, they mostly stood for innocence–an association that still holds true today. If we dive deeper into folklore, daisies were often associated with love and flirtation. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs informs us that “it is said that whoever picks the first daisy of the season will be possessed of a ‘spirit of coquetry’ beyond any control.” Basically, they’ll rule the flirting game (presumably while also sporting a flower crown, just to drive the point home!).
Speaking of flower crowns, these days daisy chains have become a metaphor themselves. The phrase “daisy chain” today can refer to wiring or even scamming–a far cry from innocence! Making daisy chains remains a quintessential outdoor craft. Unfortunately, I never mastered it myself, so I can’t quite tell you how it’s done. 😉
Now, astute readers will already know that I’ve been talking about daisies today because next week (!!) a novella centered around a character named Daisy is coming out. (Check it out here!) Daisy the character doesn’t exactly fit the folkloric symbolism of the flower–at least, she’s certainly not a flirting queen. She does, however, fit the modern image we have of the flower: pure-hearted, cheery, and happy to spend time outside. Here’s hoping your weekend embodies at least one of those qualities, too!
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