In Italy it is customary to bring a floral gift where our loved ones rest and the most used flower in this period is the chrysanthemum. In this article we will explain the origins of this tradition, trying to understand how it has been handed down to the present day.
Although we are in great demand during this time of year, the origin of the chrysanthemum is not European. It is a flower originally from China and subsequently spread throughout the Asian world, with particular success in Japan where "the 16-petalled daisy" is the national flower, symbol of the imperial family. In the East it is a flower that is connected to positive meanings and is used on occasions that symbolize joy and vitality.
It arrived in Europe around the 17th century, first in the Netherlands and Franceand subsequently spread throughout Europe and America with different fortunes and meanings. In Anglo-Saxon countries, for example, it symbolizes family celebrations and in the United Kingdom it is used to celebrate births. In Italy, the cultivation of chrysanthemums first developed in the Pavia area and then spread throughout the rest of the peninsula.
It is not easy to trace the moment in which chrysanthemums were used during the celebration of the dead. Certainly the reason why these flowers are associated with the deceased may be linked to the fact that the flowering of the chrysanthemum occurs precisely in this period, between the end of October and the beginning of November. The beauty and great availability of these flowers during the period of the year dedicated to the commemoration of the deceased meant that they were widely used, especially by the more modest social classes who wanted to have a beautiful bouquet of flowers to place on the graves of their relatives. Dear. Thanks to its elegant shape and its vivid colors, the chrysanthemum represents a symbol of hope, a wish for peace and otherworldly joy for our loved ones.
There is a legend linked to the chrysanthemum, widespread throughout Italy with different versions, the story tells of a humble family in which a child, already fatherless, must look after his seriously ill mother.
The woman's condition worsens with the arrival of the first cold weather and the angel of death knocks on their door, but, feeling sorry for the child's pleas, she decides to make a concession to them. She promises to give the mother as many years of life as the child would be able to find flower petals. The next day, managing to find only small and bare daisies, she decides to divide each petal into many parts.
The angel, having received the flower, and impressed by so much commitment, decides to give the woman many decades of life and to make this new flower rich in many petals appear in all the fields: the chrysanthemum.
In this legend the chrysanthemum represents a flower of hope linked to the memory of our loved ones. It therefore means dedicating a thought to them and a wish for a new life after death.
The memory of our deceased is a moment that, in addition to this period, is felt all year round. The passing away of a person is a very delicate moment, with Faxiflora you can show your closeness, you can have funeral compositions delivered to express your condolences for being close to loved ones in the last farewell. We deliver throughout Italy and around the world. If you want assistance you can contact our call center or contact us via our chat. One of our operators will be at your disposal to give you maximum assistance when completing the order.