In India, the Hindu goddess Lakshmi is connected
with the lotus. When associated with Lakshmi, this
flower symbolizes the yoni, or womb of creation. Many
Hindu deities are portrayed sitting on the lotus, which in
this instance represents divinity and spirit.
MARIGOLD The flowers are said to promote psychic
dreams. This flower was first called "golds" in England.
Later, when it was used to adorn statues of the Virgin
Mary, it became known as "Mary's gold." It symbolizes
constancy and endurance in love in some sources, while
in others, it stands for grief or cruelty.
ORCHID This flower symbolizes luxury and ecstasy.
PANSY Also called heartsease, one definition of this flower
is broken hearts and disappointment in love. However,
another definition lists the symbolism as thoughts
exchanged between lovers. The name comes from the
French word for "thought," as it was believed that this
flower could grant telepathic ability.
PEONY Known and revered from the Mediterranean to the
Far East, the peony has long been connected to healing
and magick. The plant, flower, and seed were used as
protection against evil spirits and natural disasters,
particularly storms and shipwrecks. According to the
Chinese, this highly prized flower was of the yin, or
female, principle. Paeon, the Greek physician to the gods
and a student of the healer Asclepius, was associated
with the peony, which took his name. This flower
represents the ability to keep a secret.
PERIWINKLE The Italians call this blue flower the "flower of
death," while the French knew it as the "violet of