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Facts about the Carnation
The carnation is a flowering plant that has been cultivated
for over 2000 years. It is well known for both its beauty
and long-lasting nature.
It is believed that the flower’s name "carnation" comes
from "coronation" or "corone" (flower
garlands), as it was one of the flowers used in Greek ceremonial
crowns.
| In the
early 1900s Ann Jarvis (aka the mother of Mother’s
Day) selected the carnation as the official symbol
of Mother’s Day. A red carnation may
be worn if one's mother is alive, and a white one
if she has died. |
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The flower played a key role the democratization of
Portugal in 1974. Revolutionaries held red carnations out
to regime soldiers to convince them not to resist. The soldiers
exchanged bullets for flowers and this event led to the formation
of a liberal democracy after years of dictatorship. The event
became known as the Carnation Revolution.
Carnations express love, fascination, and distinction.
Light red carnations represent admiration, while dark red
denotes deep love and affection. White carnations indicate
pure love and good luck; striped symbolize a regret that
a love cannot be shared.
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