When you’re in search of a flower that gives deep symbolism, sends a significant message, and has a surprising look, the Fowl of Paradise (Strelitzia spp.) may be the right alternative. With its multi-colored sepals and petals atop a beak-like spathe, this South African native certainly resembles a putting chook. It additionally carries meanings equivalent to pleasure, freedom, success, excellence, royalty, paradise, and faithfulness, and is the official flower of Los Angeles, California. Learn on to study extra concerning the cultural significance of chook of paradise flowers.
The That means and Symbolism of Fowl of Paradise
Etymology
The Fowl of Paradise plant was launched to Europe across the 18th century, and the plant was named in honor of Queen Charlotte, the Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and spouse of King George III of England. The identify “Strelitzia” pays homage to her title, whereas “reginae” means “of the queen.”
Fowl of Paradise Flowers in Floriography
Through the Victorian period, expressing one’s feelings freely and overtly was typically frowned upon. In response, members of the higher class adopted a convention from the Seventeenth-century Ottoman Empire: floriography or the language of flowers.
Floriography assigns symbolism and which means to flowers and even to flower colours. Giving floral items allowed individuals to ship coded messages, speaking meanings with out ever talking out loud.
Within the Victorian language of flowers, the chook of paradise which means was related to optimistic messages. The blossoms might symbolize pleasure, paradise on earth, freedom, faithfulness, excellence, and success.
Fowl of Paradise Flower Colours and Their That means & Symbolism
The chook of paradise has a number of species and varieties that bloom with totally different hues. In floriography, totally different colours of flowers might have totally different meanings.
For example, the Strelitzia reginae has orange sepals and blue blossoms. Orange flowers are sometimes related to pleasure, whereas blue flowers signify belief and faithfulness.
S. reginae ‘Mandela’s Gold’ has yellow blossoms. The colour yellow is usually related to royalty and success.
S. nicolai and S. alba have white blossoms. White chook of paradise flowers might signify honesty.
Fowl of Paradise Crops and Feng Shui
Indoor Fowl of Paradise vegetation (and vegetation on the whole) are related to the colour inexperienced, which is taken into account to have therapeutic vitality in Feng Shui practices. They’re additionally related to the wooden factor, which invitations the important vitality of exercise and development into an area. Wooden can also be related to vitality, compassion, flexibility, and kindness. Moreover, wooden feeds the fireplace factor, which fuels development, reaching out, and confronting change.
Like most wholesome, vibrant vegetation, the Fowl of Paradise could be seen as an emblem of optimistic vitality and development. Its upward-facing flowers could be considered as capturing and directing optimistic vitality upwards.
Feng shui additionally emphasizes the significance of shapes. Whereas spiky vegetation (equivalent to cacti) could also be related to unhelpful vitality, Fowl of Paradise vegetation have rounded leaves that may introduce calm and serenity into an space.
As with all vegetation, think about their placement rigorously. In feng shui, it’s additionally important to keep away from putting vegetation in bedrooms (as they’ll introduce an excessive amount of yang, or lively vitality) or in the midst of the home (generally known as the “Tai Chi” or “coronary heart” of the house). Nevertheless, putting Fowl of Paradise vegetation in dwelling rooms, hallways, or close to the doorway can improve and welcome optimistic vitality.
Fowl of Paradise vegetation can develop fairly giant. It’s additionally value remembering that in feng shui, it’s important to maintain the scale and scale of ornamental parts in concord with the rapid house. As Fowl of Paradise vegetation can develop to be fairly tall, think about the placement of the plant in relation to the remainder of the room through which it’s situated.
Fowl of Paradise Flowers as Official Emblems
Given the chook of paradise’s dramatic and exquisite look, it’s no shock that these flowers have been prized over the centuries. Of their native South Africa, the flowers develop within the Jap Cape area.
There, the vegetation are generally known as ikhamanga within the Xhosa and inkamanga in Zulu. The flowers signify achievement and excellence. South African residents who’re terribly profitable in areas equivalent to artwork, literature, music, sport, and journalism might obtain a particular award generally known as the Order of the Ikhamanga. Recipients obtain a gorgeous medal, on which the chook of paradise kinds the central motif.
The flowers are additionally featured prominently on the nation’s foreign money. A 50c coin contains a chook of paradise flower, together with an arum lily and an agapanthus.
Fowl of Paradise flowers are significant and prestigious within the U.S., as effectively. Within the Californian metropolis of Los Angeles, the chook of paradise has been the official flower since 1952.
Fowl of Paradise flowers are additionally the official flower of the ninth wedding ceremony anniversary. They make an ideal reward to have a good time this vital milestone, sending a message of affection and faithfulness.
Makes use of for Fowl of Paradise Flowers
Whereas the flowers have lengthy been cultivated for his or her aesthetic magnificence, in addition they have sensible, culinary, and medicinal makes use of. Of their native lands, the stalks are reduce and dried to make rope. The rope is used to construct houses and for fishing nets and baskets.
The immature seeds of S. nicolai are edible, and are described as tasty. Nevertheless, consuming giant portions of the plant might be poisonous for small people and home animals.
Fowl of paradise stems have lengthy been utilized in veterinary medication, particularly to deal with cows after giving delivery. Scientific research additional present that S. nicolai vegetation include a substance generally known as bilirubin, which has antioxidant and different medicinal results.
The Fowl of Paradise in Artwork and Tradition
Given the chook of paradise’s lovely and weird look, it’s unsurprising that the flowers seem in creative works. These distinctive vegetation have served as muse for a number of artists, together with Robert Maplethorpe, Jim Dine, and Salvador Dali.
Within the Nineteen Forties, Georgia O’Keefe created her “White Fowl of Paradise” portray. This well-known work harkens to the artist’s time within the Hawaiian islands.
Within the early twentieth century, a play known as ‘The Fowl of Paradise’ introduced Hawaiian tradition to the stage. A film of the identical identify was launched within the Thirties.
The flowers even make a tv look. Within the sci-fi sequence Farscape, chook of paradise vegetation play a key function in helping the evolutionary growth of an alien species that needs to take over Earth so as to get hold of extra flowers.
The That means and Symbolism of Fowl of Paradise Tattoos
Like many different tattoos, a Fowl of Paradise tattoo can have numerous meanings and symbolism. A tattoo depicting a Fowl of Paradise generally represents pleasure, paradise on earth, freedom, faithfulness, excellence, and success.
For these passionate concerning the pure world, a Fowl of Paradise tattoo can signify one’s deep connection to nature, the wilderness, and the intricacies of the pure world.
About Fowl of Paradise Flowers
One of many world’s most recognizable flowers, the chook of paradise has a wealthy historical past. Lengthy valued for its decorative and sensible worth in its native South Africa, the flowers had been dropped at England within the 1770s by Francis Masson. There, the vegetation had been grown within the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.
Sir Joseph Banks, a botanist and Kew patron, thought the flowers seemed royal. He named the vegetation Strelitzia to honor Queen Charlotte, Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who was a resident of Kew.
The dramatic-looking flowers made a splash. They had been launched to heat areas of the world as ornamentals for the panorama. They shortly naturalized in locations equivalent to South America, Florida, Hawaii, and California. In temperate zones, the flowers are well-liked indoor vegetation.
Official Fowl of Paradise Species
Right now the Strelitzia genus comprises 5 species:
- S. reginae, probably the most generally grown species with iconic orange and blue flowers
- S. nicolai, which grows to greater than 30 toes tall with has white and blue flowers
- S. alba which blooms with white flowers
- S. caudata which has white flowers and a tail-like appendage off a sepal
- S. juncea, a drought- and frost-resistant species often known as desert banana
Most dwelling gardeners are aware of S. reginae, which grows slowly to about 4 toes tall and 4 toes large. It may be grown outdoors in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 to 12 and have to be introduced indoors in chilly climate in decrease zones.
Fowl of Paradise vegetation develop finest in websites with full solar to partial shade. They like moist, wealthy, and loamy soil. Present them with common feedings within the type of slow-release fertilizer and compost.
Whereas established vegetation are drought- and wind-resistant however delicate to chilly, should you don’t stay in USDA zone 10 or increased, develop your chook of paradise in a pot and produce it indoors within the cooler months.
For extra, see our in-depth information to Fowl of Paradise plant care at dwelling.
Fowl of Paradise That means – Wrapping Up
The chook of paradise is immediately recognizable, with its vibrant orange and blue petals and sepals that appear to be a tropical chook. These pretty flowers have many meanings and symbolize paradise, success, pleasure, faithfulness, royalty, and freedom. They’re the right option to let somebody know you’re pondering of them with fondness, affection, and satisfaction.
Linsay is an American copywriter primarily based within the Pacific Northwest with a background in tutorial writing and analysis. Linsay holds Grasp’s diploma in each Anthropology and Library and Info Sciences and has written for quite a few nationwide and worldwide publications together with USA Right now, SFGATE, Hunker, and The Bump throughout an array of subjects within the gardening, inexperienced dwelling, and journey sectors. When she’s not writing, you will normally discover Linsay studying, kayaking, crusing, snowboarding, or working in her backyard.
