The Daffodil: A Messenger of Spring
“ ‘tis the season to not pick daffodils from wild places unless you want to anger powers beyond your sight.”
Haigh a chara, hi my friend, welcome back. Here’s a post on the folklore associated with daffodil: the enchanting Spring flower. Enjoy!
“When the winds of March are wakening the crocuses and crickets,
Did you ever find a fairy near some budding little thickets,
And when she sees you creeping up to get a closer peek
She tumbles through the daffodils, a playing hide and seek.”
Daffodils are a Spring flower associated with new beginnings and births. An Air and Venus ally. Daffodils are a flower of prosperity due to its connection to fertility — and could there be a truer depiction of wealth than children?
It is said that stepping on daffodils will bring you bad luck, as it’s showing disregard for the fairies who may be living there. So if you make the intentional effort not to step-on, or crush, daffodils: “fortune will favour you with abundance”. It is also said that a fairy may be resting inside its petals, and so you must pass this flower with care.
When gifting daffodils, make sure to give a large and plentiful bunch to bring the recipient of your gift good luck. Giving someone a single flower is said to draw ill fortune. Another association of daffodils and their prosperity; their desire to be plentiful and abundant both when growing and when picked.
If daffodils are your birth flower, your ability to see the beauty in a range of expressions is admirable. You’re always uplifting those around you effortlessly. Your self love shines bright allowing you to lead others to view themselves in a way of loving confidence.
Daffodils are also known as the narcissus, after the legendary young Greek man of the same name. Be weary of limiting yourself by only listening to affirming view points, or thinking your opinion is the only possible one. Also — don’t let self admiration turn to blind vanity.
“Despite the mythology of Narcissus, daffodils still appear in some folklore as representative of holding a lover in high regard. They send the message that this person is the only one for you, and your feelings are constant.”
In Britain:
“The occurrence of wild daffodils is sometimes said to indicate the former site of a religious foundation. At Frittlestoke, near Torrington, Devon, it was recorded in 1797 that the people of the village call daffodils by the name Gregories, a name that coincided with the order of a neighboring monastery - the Canons of St Gregory. In both Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, it was generally said that wild daffodils indicated the site of a monastery. St Urian's Copse is well known for its primroses and daffodils.”
Ancient Rome:
“Some sources say Roman soldiers carried daffodils across Europe as a healing aid (Barrett 2019). Others say they carried them in case they were mortally wounded in battle. In this instance, the bulb would speed their exit from this life.”
Jonquil (N. jonquilla)
“These daintier blooms represent desire and longings. In some contexts, this flower also symbolizes sympathy.”
Pheasant’s Eye (N. poeticus)
“Sometimes referred to as poet’s daffodil or poets’ Narcissus, this flower variety is commonly associated with remembrance and sorrowful memories. However, it can also represent selfishness and egotism.”
Paperwhite (Narcissus papyraceus)
“In many cultures, these blooms are regarded as an aphrodisiac.”
It’s very interesting how folklore differs between cultures and countries. Daffodils have the ability to bring great fortune, good luck & blessings. As daffodils are a close ally of fairies, they also have the ability to bring bad luck when disrespected or taken without permission. A nice reminder to always treat nature and Her creations with respect.
Slaínte
With love,
Em
