National Daisy Day: a simple but beautiful and meaningful flower

January 28th is National Daisy Day. A simple flower with deeper meanings and history. Daisies grow naturally in the wild as part of the weed family and can be considered a nuisance to some. However, as a perennial flower, it doesn’t need much attention and they make a great addition to flower bouquets or gardens. The birth flower for the month of April and commonly used in the “She/He loves Me Not” game. Daisy is a common girl’s name and is the name of Daisy Duck, a popular Disney character. What is the history behind this simple but beautiful flower? What is the symbolism through the centuries and different cultures? What are a few fun facts about daisies? 

Daisies are native to Northern Europe but are currently found all around the world. The word, “daisy” comes from the Old English language meaning “day’s eye” because its petals blossom at dawn and shut at dusk. In 2200 BC, Ancient Egyptians grew daisies in the temple gardens and used them for herbal and medicinal purposes. In 1792, botanist Paul Dietrich Giseke recorded daisies as part of the Composite Family. The Composite family includes asters and sunflowers for their dense heads surrounded by involucral bracts. On September 7, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson uses the daisy in the iconic ad that helps him win the election. The ad begins with a three year old girl picking daisies in an open field and ends with a nuclear explosion. The daisy gained popularity after actress Drew Barrymore began wearing them in her hair. Today, daisies are seen as a beautiful but cheaper alternative to roses. 

Daisies have come to symbolize youth, innocence, purity and associated with children. In an old Celtic Legend, whenever an infant died, God sprinkled daisies over the earth to cheer the parents up. Daisies were often planted or given to parents after a child has died. In Norse Mythology, the daisy is Freya’s sacred flower. As Freya is the goddess of love, beauty and fertility, the daisy came to symbolize childbirth, motherhood, and new beginnings. In Roman Mythology, daisies represents chastity and transformation. According to the story, Vertumnus, the god of the seasons and gardens, became enamored with Belides, a nymph, and perused her relentlessly. She would transform herself into a daisy in order to escape his affections. Even though daisies come in a variety of colors, the iconic white petals with a yellow center is the most common. According to various floral sites, the white petals represent goodness, faith, virtue and clarity with the yellow center representing the spirit of joy, honesty and loyalty. In the Victorian Age, it was taboo to send a romantic partner roses as it sent a strong message. Daisies would be sent as a more subtle message of love to someone without serious implications.  

During my research, I found many fun facts about daisies that I didn’t know. I would like to share a few I found the most interesting. First, daisies attract bees easily due to their shape and are easily pollinated unlike orchids whose shape make pollination difficult.. Second, daisies can survive almost anywhere. As tough as they are beautiful, daisies bloom most of the year and can adapt to almost any environment. They are also resistant to pesticides and insects. Third, they are known for their many medicinal properties, Daisies are thought to slow bleeding, relieve indigestion and ease coughs. In homeopathy, the garden daisy is known as the gardener’s friend for its ability to ease an aching back. Related to the artichoke, the leaves of the daisy are high in Vitamin C and can be added to salads. Fourth, daisies have made their way into various phrases. In the 1800s, the phrase “ups-a-daisy” was commonly used to encourage children to get up when they fell. Today we would say, “oopsy daisy” or “whoops-a-daisy,” after a stumble or a mistake. Lastly, daisies are said to encourage dreams. By placing its petals under your pillow, you can bring dreams of love. Also dreams of daisies are said to be a sign of coming good fortune. 

\Daisies are a simple but beautiful flower. I have always loved simple flowers as my birth flower is the aster, a relative to the daisy. After researching the daisy, I have a new love for the daisy. With symbolism associated with youth, purity, and innocence, it is a flower with great meaning and history. A flower with medicinal properties too, it’s not just a flower that sits and looks pretty. Next time you see the humble daisy, remember its deeper meaning and appreciate its simple beauty. For today, on National Daisy Day, let’s celebrate the simple but beautiful and meaningful flower.