Forget-me-nots are delicate little flowers that pack a meaningful symbolic punch. With their light blue petals and sunny yellow centers forget-me-nots have stolen hearts for centuries.
These blooms have quite the origin story. According to German legend, a knight and his lady were strolling along the riverside when the woman spotted a patch of exquisite blue flowers. She asked the knight to pick her a bouquet but as he leaned down, he lost his balance and fell into the river. As he drifted away he called out “forget me not!” Ever since, the flower has represented lasting love and remembrance.
Beyond this romantic tale, forget-me-nots carry intertwined meanings of love, memory, and even royalty. Read on to learn about the rich symbolic value and cultural significance of these unforgettable blooms.
A Closer Look at the Delicate Forget-Me-Not
Before diving into symbolism, let’s take a moment to get to know this floral beauty. Forget-me-nots belong to the genus Myosotis in the borage family. Their scientific name comes from the Greek words mys (mouse) and otis (ear), referring to the oval, mouse ear-shaped leaves.
Native to Europe, over 500 species exist in a range of colors like pink, white, and yellow, but blue is by far the most common. The plants thrive along streams and damp woodlands. Their short lifespan makes them symbolize youth and rebirth.
In the 15th century, people called them “mouse’s eye” before “forget-me-not” became popular in the 19th century. They aren’t to be confused with false forget-me-nots like Italian or Siberian bugloss that mimic the blooms.
The Legend Behind the Name “Forget-Me-Not”
The iconic name forget-me-not comes from an old German legend about a knight and his lady fair. As the story goes, the couple walked beside a river where the woman spotted a patch of beautiful blue flowers on the bank. Enchanted, she asked the knight to pick them for her, but as he leaned down in his heavy armor, he lost his footing and fell into the river.
As he drifted away, he threw the bouquet back to shore and shouted “forget me not!” in German. After this tragic event, the lady wore the flowers as a symbol of loyalty and remembrance. Thus, the romantic tale gave the delicate bloom its unforgettable name.
Core Symbolic Meanings of the Forget-Me-Not Flower
Beyond their legend, forget-me-nots carry intertwined symbolic meanings. Here are some of the core associations and significance behind these special blooms:
-
Everlasting love and loyalty – Given their origin story, it makes sense these blooms represent true love that lasts through time and tragedy. They mean unwavering romantic loyalty.
-
Remembrance and memory – The name says it all! Forget-me-nots symbolize connecting with memories of loved ones and holding them dear forever. Their message is one of remembrance.
-
Hope and optimism – With their cheery color and uplifting meaning, these blooms also symbolize hope, optimism, and looking on the bright side.
-
New beginnings – Since they have a short lifespan and grow back every season, they can also signify rebirth, renewal, and fresh starts.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Beyond their core symbolic meanings, forget-me-nots have cultural, literary, and historical significance:
-
They were Princess Diana’s favorite flower and now blanket the gardens at Kensington Palace in her honor.
-
In 15th century England, King Henry IV adopted the bloom as his emblem, linking it to English royalty.
-
Forget-me-nots represent fallen soldiers of World War I in Newfoundland and the Armenian genocide victims in Armenia.
-
Alaska’s state flower is the forget-me-not, which carpets Alaskan landscapes in summer.
-
It’s the symbol flower for Alzheimer’s because of its connection to memories.
-
In literature, it has been featured in poetry and novels as a symbol of unpretending beauty.
-
Some believed it cured scorpion bites, leading to the name scorpion grass.
Giving Forget-Me-Nots to Others
Thanks to their wealth of meaning, forget-me-nots make beautiful and symbolic floral gifts. Here are some fitting occasions:
-
Anniversaries or Valentine’s Day – Give a bouquet to your sweetheart as a sign of loyalty.
-
Long-distance friendship gift – Remind them you’ll remember your connection when apart.
-
Birthday gift – For someone born in September or just to signify remembering their special day.
-
Condolences – Place a bouquet at a funeral or grave to remember the departed.
-
Hospitality – Welcome someone new to the neighborhood with this cheerful bloom.
-
Going away present – Remind someone you’ll remember them while they are gone.
The Timeless Beauty of Forget-Me-Not Meaning
With their dainty appearance but rich symbolic significance, it’s no wonder forget-me-nots have captivated hearts across cultures for centuries. These flowers boast legendary origins and a wealth of poignant meaning related to love, remembrance and even royalty.
Whether you spot their periwinkle blooms in the wild or give a bouquet as a gift, these beauties breathe meaning and magic into everyday life. No one who receives the message from these symbolic blossoms will ever forget their significance.
Forget-Me-Not Legends and Lore
The forget-me-not moniker has some of the most interesting legends behind it. One describes a German knight who was strolling with his lady along the banks of the Danube river. The lady saw pretty blue flowers—but they’d been pulled loose by the river’s flow and were about to disappear downstream. She wanted to save the flowers, so her chivalrous knight jumped into the water. He couldn’t fight the strong current, so he tossed the flowers onto the bank, and as he was carried out to sea, he called out, vergiss mein nicht, which is German for “forget me not.”
Another legend says that the German knight didn’t leap into the river after the flowers, but rather bent to pick some for his lady when the weight of his armor caused him to topple into the water—and then he called out “forget me not” as he was swept away. A separate German tale says the name was chosen when God was naming flowers. This one was the last, and the flower cried out, “Forget me not, O Lord,” to which God pronounced, “That shall be your name!”
The forget-me-not is also recognized by some as the birth flower for the month of September, along with the aster and morning glory.
Learn how to grow these prolific blue bloomers, which are rich in symbolism and lore.
If ever there were an unforgettable bloom, it’s the forget-me-not flower. Famous for their delicate blue flowers featuring yellow throats, when grown well, they’re prolific bloomers that will flower throughout most of the growing season. And in addition to adding a pretty shade of blue to your garden, they’re rich in lore and symbolism.
The woodland forget-me-not, Myosotis sylvatica, is one of the more common types that you’ll find in gardens. The genus name comes from the ancient Greek word, mus and ous (or otos), which means “mouse” and “ear” respectively. This comes from the shape of the plant’s foliage, which features short, pointed leaves reminiscent of mouse ears.
Another type, Myosotis scorpiodes, is sometimes called “scorpion grass,” which seems like an unusual name for such a pretty little flower, but it comes from how the plant grows, with emerging clusters of flowers bent in the curl of a scorpion’s tail.
Forget-me-nots symbolize true love and respect. When you give someone these tiny blooms, it represents a promise that you will always remember them and will keep them in your thoughts. They are also considered a symbol of fidelity and faithfulness.
Forget Me Nots – The Meaning of Plants
FAQ
What does a forget-me-not flower symbolize?
-
Love and Remembrance:The flower’s name itself, “forget-me-not,” evokes a heartfelt plea to be remembered, making it a timeless emblem of enduring affection and memory.
-
Fidelity and Loyalty:Forget-me-nots are also considered a symbol of loyalty and faithfulness, with some historical accounts suggesting they were worn by knights as a pledge to their loved ones.
-
Modern Awareness:The forget-me-not is also associated with awareness campaigns, particularly those related to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as people with dementia may experience memory loss.
-
Folklore and Legend:The flower’s symbolism is rooted in folklore, with stories of knights and ladies, and a German legend where the flower cried out, “Forget me not, O Lord!”
-
Alaska State Flower:The alpine forget-me-not is the official state flower of Alaska.
What is the legend of forget-me-not flowers?
In the legend, a knight was walking with his lady near the Danube River and decided to pick blue flowers for her. While picking the flowers he fell in the river and was swept away. He tossed the flowers to his lady and his last words to her were “Forget-me-not!”.
What is the spiritual properties of forget-me-not?
-
Remembrance and Spiritual Connection:Forget-me-nots are a powerful symbol of remembrance, particularly of loved ones who have passed away, and they can help us connect with the spiritual realm and the enduring nature of love.
-
True Love and Devotion:The flower is often associated with true love, devotion, and fidelity, representing the strong bonds of love and the promise to remember and cherish those we hold dear.
-
Long-Lasting Connection:Forget-me-nots symbolize the idea that connections, especially those rooted in love, can transcend physical boundaries and time, reminding us of the enduring nature of relationships.
-
Spiritual Upliftment:Some believe that the forget-me-not can help us find a higher, spiritual perspective when facing loss or hardship, offering comfort and reminding us of the enduring nature of love and connection.
-
Flower Essence:Forget-me-not flower essence is said to uplift the soul to a higher, spiritual perspective when suffering a loss, complete the soul’s struggle with materialism and emotional pain, and awaken love forces to soothe and nourish the soul.
-
Historical and Cultural Significance:The forget-me-not has a rich history, including its association with a knight who drowned while picking flowers for his love, and its use as a symbol of remembrance and loyalty by knights in the 15th century.
-
Modern Symbolism:Today, forget-me-nots are often used in weddings, anniversaries, and other celebrations of enduring love, as well as in tributes to those who have passed away.
-
World War I:In World War I, the forget-me-not became a symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers, and in 1921, the Disabled American Veterans organization adopted it to honor those who had sacrificed their lives in the war.
What is unique about forget-me-nots?
The petals of most forget-me-nots change from pink to blue as the plant grows. The flowers bloom in spring, summer, and fall. Before the flowers appear the plant’s coiled stem looks like a scorpion’s tail. The stem uncurls as the flowers bloom.
What is a forget-me-not flower?
Native to Europe, forget-me-nots are dainty flowers from the Myosotis genus of the Boraginaceae family. The botanical name is derived from the Greek terms mus that means mouse, and otis or ous that translates to ear, since its leaves resemble a mouse’s ears. The common name comes from the German vergissmeinnicht that means forget-me-not.
What does ‘Forget Me Not flowers’ mean?
Traditionally, Forget Me Not Flowers have carried a symbolic meaning of remembrance, true and eternal love, and devotion. To King Henry IV, the flower was a symbol of royalty and endurance because of its delicate blue color. He adopted it as his formal emblem in 1398.
What does Pink Forget Me Nots mean?
Pink Forget-Me-Nots are usually used to represent romantic love between spouses or other romantic partners. What Does a Blue Flower Mean? The blue color in forget me nots is a symbol of remembrance, devotion, and eternal love. The delicate blue flower is also a symbol of royalty.
What does a forget me not symbolize?
They believed it symbolized the nation’s constancy and perseverance. Meanwhile in the Victorian flower language, forget me nots symbolize honoring a loved one who has passed away. These delicate flowers were a poignant symbol of a long lasting connection even after death. Such a beautiful way to honor someone dear.
What does a forget me not bouquet mean?
Forget Me Nots can also mean that you respect the person. Whilst roses are often the flower of choice to show you love someone, those flowers are often overdone. Despite its small and delicate appearance, giving a Forget Me Not bouquet is a little different from the rose, and shows that you have a deeper love, connection and a stronger bond.