Daffodil flower symbolic colour meaning

If you’re thinking of sending or planting some daffodils, we’ve created this guide full of all the information you’ll need to know, like what daffodils symbolise, what their different colours mean and which occasion is best to send them.

A history of daffodils

Daffodils have an ultra-long history behind them. They go back to at least 300BC! The Greek botanist and philosopher, Theophrastus, was one of the first people to list and describe the flower in his notes. The Roman army introduced the daffodil to most of the world, including England, as they believed the sap had healing powers and wanted to share it. But, in actual fact, the sap can irritate the skin…still, we’re glad they shared the flower with the world anyway!

In the 17th century, daffodils boomed in England and were one of Shakespeare’s favourite flowers. Bunches of the wild blooms would be sold by flower girls on the streets of London, and by the 19th century, the farming of daffodils for cut-flowers began.

How did the daffodil get its name?

All daffodils are members of the narcissus plant family. Some people find this a little confusing as the daffodil is the official name for any of the plants in the narcissus. Basically, if a plant is considered to be a narcissus, it will be considered as a daffodil too.

It’s widely believed that the narcissus was named after the son of a river god in Greek mythology. Narcissus was known for his beauty, but he was very arrogant about it. After a water nymph fell in love and was rejected by him, Nemesis, the Goddess of revenge, took matters into her own hands and lured him to a pool where he fell in love with his own reflection. Some say that the nymphs turned him into a flower while he was admiring himself. But, others think he fell into the pool while trying to capture his reflection and drowned, the flowers that then grew along the riverbed were named after him.

It’s a little more unclear on where the name ‘daffodil’ came from. Most believe that it was an alteration of the name ‘asphodel’, which is another pretty flower. But no one seems to understand where or how the initial ‘D’ was added.

What do daffodils symbolise?

As the ultimate spring flower, daffodils symbolise rebirth and hope. They also have a meaning of resilience, since they are strong little things that managed to survive throughout winter and are ready to pop up as soon as the days start getting longer.

Daffodils are greatly appreciated in China too. This is because they usually bloom around the Chinese New Year, and so they’re believed to symbolise luck, prosperity and good fortune. If they happen to bloom on New Year’s Day, then you can expect good luck for the whole year!

Different coloured daffodil meanings

While there aren’t many different coloured daffodils, most of them are the bright, sunny yellow flowers we all know and love, there are still a couple of other varieties with slightly different meanings.

White daffodils

White daffodils can usually be seen in the wild next to yellow ones. Like most white flowers they have a meaning of purity. But, they also symbolise a desire to be transformed and move away from vanity and selfishness.

Pink daffodils

Pink daffodils have been around for 100 years but are still very uncommon. We’d think you’d be quite a lucky person if you came across a pink daffodil. These pink flowers have become a symbol of pride and uniqueness.

When it is best to send daffodils

There are plenty of occasions to surprise someone with a daffodil bouquet! Sending daffodils for spring is a great way to celebrate the new season and bring people out of their winter moods. Daffodils also make great Mother’s Day flowers and Easter flowers since they’re both synonymous with spring.

As daffodils are March’s birth flower, they’d make a thoughtful gift as birthday flowers, or to welcome a new baby born in March. We also think they do a fantastic job of brightening up a new home, so if you know anyone who has recently moved, say congratulations with a bunch of vibrant daffodils.

Facts about daffodils!

Here are some facts about everyone’s favourite spring flower that you might not have known.

• The daffodil is the Welsh national flower as it coincides with St David’s Day.

• They are the 10th wedding anniversary flower.

• The American Cancer Society uses daffodils as their symbol since they have a meaning of hope.

• The bulbs can be poisonous to animals, so make sure you plant them where cats or dogs can’t get to them.

• There are 13,000 different daffodil varieties.

Find out more about modern floriography and the meaning and language of flowers.