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Obscure Symbolic Meaning of Flowers in Western Art History
A beautiful rose, a white lily, a weed, a morning glory, an orchid—all are charmingly decorative to the average viewer. For painters of the Gothic, Early Renaissance and High Renaissance eras, flowers were part of a rich visual symbolism. In a culture of restricted literacy symbolic imagery was vital in helping to spiritually enlighten the rabble. Narrative paintings, with their layer upon layer of vivid symbolism, provided instruction to the uneducated peasants who craved scriptural guidance. According to Charles Baudelaire "The whole visible universe is but a storehouse of images and signs to which the imagination will give a relative place and value; it is a sort of pasture which the imagination must digest and transform."
Paintings throughout Western history have been used as guides in illuminating the divine mysteries of Gods Holy Word. Flowers of every variety are prominently featured in painting throughout Western art history.
Byzantine, Gothic and Early Renaissance paintings are rich in philosophical and Christian symbolism regarding flowers.
White Lily - a flower used as the emblem of the Virgin; the white color of the petals stand for the purity of her body and the golden anthers the radiance of her soul. Also symbolizes the resurrection
Orchids represent jealousy, suspicion, and deceit
Rose symbolizes the Virgin Mary. A thornless white rose is a symbol of the Virgin Mary's purity, untainted by sin. The Virgin is often depicted surrounded by roses. The rose also represents the wounds of Christ. Roses are symbolic of true love, courtly love, and eternal love. The rose is also the emblem of Rosalina of Villeneuve, Saint Acisclus, Our Lady of Sorrows and Saint Hermengild.
Tulips symbolize
wealth, prosperity, commerce, trade
The Rose -
a flower which was used as the emblem of Mary's love of God.
Lily represents purity, virginity and is often help by the Virgin Mary. The flower is also associated with St. Anthony's purity.
Iris represents Spring, regeneration, replenishment
Lavender symbolizes desire, vice, wantonness, loss of innocence (medieval prostitutes signaled their availability by wearing a sprig of lavender in their hair) village life, the peasant class
Dandelion is symbolic of innocence, childhood, nostalgia, longing for the past
Violet symbolizes courtly love, courtship, spring, innocence, virtue
The Meaning of Sacred Symbols in Paintings. Most prominently featured symbols and their meaning:
The Four Evangelists☼☼☼☼☼
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