Meaning of Sunflowers
The tragic love story of Apollo and Clytie does, in some way, link the sunflower to emotions like loyalty, endurance, and adoration. Clytie did not give up on her love, and she went out of her way in her efforts to woo Apollo. Although he did not share her affection, her feelings for him never waned.
Beyond its mythological roots, the majestic sunflower meaning is diverse. In China, for example, the flower is viewed as a symbol of good fortune and everlasting joy. It’s often given when wishing someone good luck or to express happiness for an accomplishment, such as graduating from college, starting a new business, or getting a promotion. The country also ties sunflowers to other positive traits, like longevity and vitality.
Native Americans, meanwhile, often view sunflowers with the bounty they provided to hunters and gatherers centuries ago. For their seeds, their oil, and their pigment, they proved enormously valuable in many different ways. They believe that sunflowers are symbolic of harvest and abundance.
While you can find sunflowers in colors ranging from red to bronze to white, it’s the yellow variety that enjoys the greatest popularity. The uplifting hue is naturally associated with sunshine, and lends the flower its innate cheerful vibe. Yellow alone is representative of happiness, joy, virility, intelligence, and friendship. All of these characteristics make the yellow sunflower a particularly thoughtful option to give to a dear friend or a significant other.
In some cultures, the sunflower is even considered an emblem of faith and worship. This is likely due to the flower’s sun-like silhouette. The sun is tied to spirituality and a search for inner truth, peace, and light. And just as the flower follows the sun in its youth, believers of different faiths rely on their belief systems for guidance.
Culturally, sunflowers enjoy tremendous significance for their importance throughout history. They’ve appeared in some of the most beloved works of art in the world, and they make appearances in famous novels. Important figures in history have referenced sunflowers for their undeniable beauty.
