Columbine is important not only as a garden flower and medicinal plant. There are also many depictions of the plant in art and culture. Here you can find out what meanings the buttercup plant can have.
What meanings does columbine have in art and culture?
In art, the columbine symbolizes the praise of Christ, stands for virtue and holiness and is also used as a burial plant and symbol of Eros. In some cases it is also an allegorical representation of melancholy.
What is the meaning of the name of Columbine?
The name columbine probably comes from the Latin wordaquila, which can be translated aseagle. The spur of the columbine has a slight curve. This bears a certain resemblance to the beak of a bird of prey. The name Columbine was already used by Hildegard von Bingen. The famous mystic of the Middle Ages describes the importance of columbine as a medicinal plant in her writings.
What symbolic meaning does the columbine have?
The columbine symbolizes thePraise of Christ in many works of art The varieties of columbine with this meaning appear especially in the art of the Middle Ages. It can be found, for example, on many depictions of saints. The flower makes it clear that the person depicted has a special connection to the Holy Spirit and leads a virtuous life. This meaning doesn't just play a role in pictures. It is also used in literature.
What allegorical meaning does columbine have?
In some cases the columbine is also used as a kind of allegorical representation ofMelancholy. The downward-sloping flower head of the Columbine is interpreted as a melancholic attitude. Interpretations like these are not as uncommon when evaluating plants as you might think. The name of the weeping willow, for example, is also derived from such an interpretation.
What significance did columbine have in the Renaissance?
In addition to its religious significance, the columbine was also planted as afuneral plantand used as a symbol forEros. The meaning of the flower does not only have to refer to restraint and humility. After the Middle Ages ended, the meaning of the perennial changed to these properties.
Tip
Aquilegia as a cut flower
You can also use the importance of the columbine as a cut flower. The diverse meanings of this flower also give you opportunities to convey beautiful messages. The columbine can be used well as a cut flower.
