Flower
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| + | [[Image:Joos van Cleve Flower (detail).jpg|thumb|right|200px|''[[Madonna and Child with Carnation]]'' (Cincinnati version, 1530-35) (flower detail) by [[Joos van Cleve]]]] | ||
| {{Template}} | {{Template}} | ||
| - | :''[[symbolic meanings of flowers in Wester culture]]'' | ||
| - | A [[plant]] that bears flowers. | ||
| - | ==Symbolism== | + | A '''flower''', sometimes known as a bloom or [[blossom]], is the [[reproduction|reproductive]] structure found in [[plant]]s that are [[flowering plants|floral]] (plants of the division [[Magnoliophyta]], also called angiosperms). The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs. Flowers may facilitate outcrossing (fusion of sperm and eggs from different individuals in a population) or allow selfing (fusion of sperm and egg from the same flower). Some flowers produce [[Diaspore (botany)|diaspores]] without fertilization ([[parthenocarpy]]). Flowers contain [[sporangium|sporangia]] and are the site where [[gametophyte]]s develop. Many flowers have evolved to be attractive to animals, so as to cause them to be vectors for the transfer of [[pollen]]. After fertilization, the [[Ovary (botany)|ovary]] of the flower develops into [[fruit]] containing [[seed]]s. |
| - | Many flowers have important [[symbol]]ic meanings in [[Western culture]]. The practice of assigning meanings to flowers is known as [[floriography]]. Some of the more common examples include: | + | In addition to facilitating the reproduction of flowering plants, flowers have long been admired and used by humans to bring beauty to their environment, and also as objects of romance, ritual, [[religion]], [[medicine]] and as a source of food. |
| - | * Red [[rose]]s are given as a symbol of love, beauty, and passion. | + | Many flowers have important [[symbolism|symbolic meanings]] in [[Western culture]]. The practice of assigning meanings to flowers is known as [[floriography]]. |
| - | * [[Poppy|Poppies]] are a symbol of consolation in time of death. In the [[United Kingdom|UK]], [[New Zealand]], [[Australia]] and [[Canada]], red poppies are worn to commemorate soldiers who have died in times of war. | + | |
| - | * [[Iris (plant)|Irises]]/[[Lily]] are used in burials as a symbol referring to "resurrection/life". It is also associated with stars (sun) and its petals blooming/shining. | + | |
| - | * [[Asteraceae|Daisies]] are a symbol of innocence. | + | |
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| - | Flowers within art are also representative of the [[female genitalia]], as seen in the works of artists such as [[Georgia O'Keefe]], [[Imogen Cunningham]], [[Veronica Ruiz de Velasco]], and [[Judy Chicago]], and in fact in Asian and western classical art. Many cultures around the world have a marked tendency to associate flowers with [[female|femininity]]. | + | |
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| - | The great variety of delicate and beautiful flowers has inspired the works of numerous poets, especially from the 18th-19th century [[Romantic poetry|Romantic]] era. Famous examples include [[William Wordsworth]]'s ''[[I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud]]'' and [[William Blake]]'s ''Ah! Sun-Flower''. | + | |
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| - | Because of their varied and colorful appearance, flowers have long been a favorite subject of visual artists as well. Some of the most celebrated paintings from well-known painters are of flowers, such as [[Vincent van Gogh|Van Gogh]]'s [[sunflowers (series of paintings)|sunflowers]] series or [[Claude Monet|Monet]]'s water lilies. Flowers are also dried, freeze dried and pressed in order to create permanent, three-dimensional pieces of [[flower art]]. | + | |
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| - | The Roman goddess of flowers, gardens, and the season of Spring is [[Flora (goddess)|Flora]]. The Greek goddess of spring, flowers and nature is [[Chloris]]. | + | |
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| - | In [[Hindu]] mythology, flowers have a significant status. [[Vishnu]], one of the three major gods in the [[Hindu]] system, is often depicted standing straight on a [[lotus]] flower.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/deities/vishnu.shtml Vishnu]</ref> Apart from the association with [[Vishnu]], the Hindu tradition also considers the lotus to have spiritual significance.<ref>[http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/1999/7/1999-7-13.shtml Hinduism Today: God's Favorite Flower]</ref> For example, it figures in the Hindu stories of creation.<ref>[http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/sunrise/49-99-0/ge-mrook.htm The Lotus]</ref> | + | |
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| - | Many flowers have important [[symbol|symbolic]] meanings in Western culture. The practice of assigning meanings to flowers is known as [[floriography]]. Some of the more common examples include: | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | * Red [[rose]]s are given as a symbol of [[love]], beauty, and passion. | + | |
| - | * [[Poppy|Poppies]] are a symbol of consolation in time of death. In the [[United Kingdom|UK]], [[Australia]] and [[Canada]], red poppies are worn to commemorate soldiers who have died in times of war. | + | |
| - | * [[Iris (plant)|Irises]]/[[Lily]] are used in burials as a symbol referring to "resurrection/life". It is also associated with stars (sun) and its petals blooming/shining. | + | |
| - | * [[Asteraceae|Daisies]] are a symbol of innocence. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Flowers within art are also representative of the [[female genitalia]], as seen in the works of artists such as [[Georgia O'Keefe]], [[Imogen Cunningham]], [[Veronica Ruiz de Velasco]], and [[Judy Chicago]], and in fact in Asian and western classical art. | + | |
| == Namesakes == | == Namesakes == | ||
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| *[[floral]] | *[[floral]] | ||
| *[[florid]] | *[[florid]] | ||
| + | *[[Flower painting]] | ||
| *[[Flower power]] | *[[Flower power]] | ||
| + | *[[Symbolic meanings of flowers in Western culture]] | ||
| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
Revision as of 17:22, 10 September 2017
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A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in plants that are floral (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also called angiosperms). The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs. Flowers may facilitate outcrossing (fusion of sperm and eggs from different individuals in a population) or allow selfing (fusion of sperm and egg from the same flower). Some flowers produce diaspores without fertilization (parthenocarpy). Flowers contain sporangia and are the site where gametophytes develop. Many flowers have evolved to be attractive to animals, so as to cause them to be vectors for the transfer of pollen. After fertilization, the ovary of the flower develops into fruit containing seeds.
In addition to facilitating the reproduction of flowering plants, flowers have long been admired and used by humans to bring beauty to their environment, and also as objects of romance, ritual, religion, medicine and as a source of food.
Many flowers have important symbolic meanings in Western culture. The practice of assigning meanings to flowers is known as floriography.
Namesakes
Related terms
- fleur
- flora
- floral
- florid
- Flower painting
- Flower power
- Symbolic meanings of flowers in Western culture
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