The Meaning and Symbolism of ORCHID

The most highly coveted of ornamental plants, the delicate, exotic and graceful orchid represents love, luxury, beauty and strength. In ancient Greece, orchids were associated with virility. In fact, Greek women believed that if the father of their unborn child ate large, new orchid tubers, the baby would be a boy. If the mother ate small orchid tubers, she would give birth to a girl. Ancient Chinese revered orchids as “ Lan Hua” epitome of human perfection.

a white Phalaenopsis orchid hybrid on display in an International Orchid Show

The flower symbolism associated with the orchid is love, beauty, refinement, many children, thoughtfulness and mature charm. Orchids have become a major market throughout the world. Buyers now bid hundreds of dollars on new hybrids or improved ones. Orchids are one of the most popular cut flowers on the market

During the Victorian era, orchid symbolism shifted to luxury, and today this sense of magnificence and artful splendor continues, with orchids representing rare and delicate beauty. The 14^th and 28^th wedding anniversary, pink orchids convey pure affection, and the popular cattleya orchid represents mature charm.  With a universal message of love, beauty, wisdom and thoughtfulness, the graceful orchid symbolizes affection and understanding.

In some Philippine tribes of Calayan islands, Manobo, Bagobo , Aeta , orchids are worshiped and revered as guardians of the forest.

Orchids is also one of the most desired plants suitable such a gift. Telling your loved ones about the special history behind these flowers can only enhance them. Orchids have been apt greeting flowers for different occasions unlike roses. Even though roses are cheaper, an orchid enjoys a higher status when compared with roses. Orchids have enduring qualities, which make it best for greeting flowers than any other. This enduring flower can hang around your affection and a sense of security for a longer period that no other floral gift can provide. Moreover the very concept of orchid can make the heir feel valuable when presented to them.

Fertility

In ancient Greece it was believed that orchids were a symbol of fertility and virility. It was even believed that consuming the flower could determine the sex of an unborn child. If the father of an unborn child ate large, new orchid tubers then the woman would have a boy.

On the other hand if the mother ate small orchid tubers she would have a girl. If you are trying to have a baby this could be a meaningful gift to your spouse. Or this could be a pretty and meaningful gift for someone who is expecting a baby.

The concept of the similarity of the orchid tubers to the testicle, developing in an age when the Doctrine of Signatures was prevalent throughout Europe, endowed the orchid plant with mysterious powers to enhance the sexual prowess and fertility in man. The people of Middle Ages even believed that orchid plants came up from the drops of semen which fell to earth in meadows where animals came together to breed (Schweinfurth, 1959). Thus to the European eye, the orchid grew to be a symbol of sex.

Orchid flower meaning is love, beauty, refinement, and beautiful lady, Chinese symbol for many children, thoughtful, maturity, or charm. Cymbidium Orchids are one of the most popular and attractive orchids in the world because of the beautiful flowers

Luxury

In Victorian England orchids took on the mantle of luxury. No doubt this image stems from the fact that these flowers are hard to find anywhere but tropical places. Anyone during this era who could afford to buy these exotic blooms would have to be a rich person. Orchids still have a connotation of luxury as they are still hard to find and exotic.

Perfection and Beauty

The shape of orchids has been mentioned as geometric in comparison to the curvier forms of other flowers. The straight lines that run through these flowers have led them to be a symbol of perfection and beauty. This has to do with the notion that beauty can be found in symmetry. The varied colors of these flowers will give you many choices in terms of which beautiful bloom you wish to use or present someone with.

The spots on orchids are also sometimes used to represent the blood of Christ. This symbolism would make these flowers a wonderful choice for an Easter brunch table. They would also make wonderful altar decorations on special services and occasions. Although these meanings may not be well known, everyone will be able to admire the effect of having these flowers around the altar and church.

Nobility

Oriental man got enamored of the beauty and fragrance of the orchid flower and started to cultivate it .To him the orchid was the symbol of everything graceful and feminine, noble and refined. Confucius is said to have remarked that acquaintance with good men is like entering a room full of fragrant Ian. The Javanese believed that their jewel orchids were bits torn from the jeweled cloak left behind by a fairy princess when she came to visit the earth and had to take off in a hurry because of the callousness of the people (Yeoh Bok Choon, 1970). The Japanese believed their native Neofinetia falcata is Fuh-ki-ran-the flower of wealth and nobility.

Orchids are worthy gifts of flowers that awake a sense of royalty. From time, this flower has been paced as a costly gift that shows that the heir is the most valued one in one’s life. Thus the flower, Orchid can craft the occasion into royal and a different gift to your nearest ones. Many from miscellaneous walks of life and professions have impressed orchid’s mysterious appeal.

 

Zodiac Symbols:

Don’t be fooled by the Aquarian’s love for independence – underneath this zodiac sign’s penchant for autonomy lies a thriving romantic streak as well. An air sign with an honest, loyal, spiritual and intuitive nature, Aquarians are exceptionally committed and faithful to the people they love. And because they can usually be counted on to see the positive side of any situation, the people they love, love to be around them.

And with symbolism tied to love, beauty and strength, orchids will resonate with this birth sign’s sense of loyalty. Choose pink orchids, representing pure affection, to fuel their romantic streak or surprise them with cattleya orchids to convey mature charm. If you are born in this zodiac sign, you can choose orchids as a perfect plant.

National Flower

There are many countries of the world, Flowers particularly orchids have been chosen as symbols to represent specific geographic areas. Some countries have a countrywide floral emblem; others in addition have symbols representing subdivisions. Different processes have been used to adopt these symbols – government bodies confer some, whereas others are the result of informal public polls. The term floral emblem, which refers to flowers.

specifically, is primarily used in Australia like state of Queensland that uses Dendrobium biggibum as their floral emblem.

In the United States, Minnesota state flower is Cypripedium reginae

Countries that adapted orchids as their national flower countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Belize, Argentina, Venezuela, Panama, Cayman Island, Guatemala, and Seychelles.

Red envelope together with paper heart valentines in a local orchid store ( Vic’s Orchid and Ornamental Plant )

New Year and New Beginning

Mandarin the official language of China, the first syllable for this sound like ‘Fu’ meaning wealth and riches. So well placed phalaenopsis, particularly the reds, pinks, and yellows would bring good fortune.

In Hong Kong where Feng Shui governs every aspect of life and especially in business, Phalaenopsis, Cymbidium and Dendrobium orchids are in great demand especially during the Chinese New Year. Great quantities of phals are produced in South China and Taiwan for the New Year. This fragrant flower has for centuries represented the virtue, moral excellence, and refinement of the superior man whose reputation precedes him like perfume. Often used as a symbol for spring,

Most Asian countries like Taiwan, China, Macau, Malaysia , Singapore , Thailand, Japan, and Korea had a practice of giving potted live orchids or having flowering orchids in their homes during this time of the year.  Chinese New Year hot item in Taiwan called “phalaenopsis.” Many people especially businessmen are sending this orchid to their clients rather than the usual hampers. The orchid, which is also considered a feng shui plant, is pretty and is believed to bring prosperity and good luck to the owner.

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Prosperity Tree at the Mall

Chinese New Year is a time for most malls in the country to decorate and to entertain people visiting their store premises .

Prosperity tree

A huge prosperity tree, contrived to have as many branches as possible, dominated the  scene. Upon arrival, guests were given a small orange attached to a cord with a card for a wish list. The idea was to toss the orange to the tree. If it got caught on a twig, heaven knows what desires would be granted.

legend of the prosperity tree

Chinese ornate arch

Lopez Museum 50th anniversary

Lopez Museum History :

On February 13, 1960, the brothers Eugenio and Fernando Lopez opened the Lopez Memorial Museum to the public. Dedicated to the memory of their parents, Benito and Presentacion, the collection of books, art, and Rizal memorabilia revealed to the public eye extent of the Lopez collection. That Eugenio  was an ardent collector of books was well-known; it is the art collection, the bulk of which are Luna and Hidalgo paintings, and Rizal memorabilia that became the object of public interest. In Claro M. Recto’s speech for the opening of the museum, he reiterated Rizal’s praise for the two painters and their achievement in the Exposion of 1884. He quoted extensively-in Spanish-from the speech that Rizal gave in Madrid in honor of the two painters. The amplitude and quality of the Luna and Hidalgo collection owned by the Lopezes was, at the time, unmatched. Housed in a remarkable building designed by Angel Nakpil (this has sadly been torn down), the new position of the Lunas and Hidalgos made available to a public was an indulgence that no other private local collection had done before.

The museum’s inauguration had President Carlos P. Garcia giving the address with Cardinal Rufino Santos blessing the building. First Lady Leonila D. Garcia appeared in numerous newspapers unveiling the plaque, as the event had enough celebrities to merit being mentioned in the society columns.

Lopez Family

The story of the Lopez family is closely likened to that of the mythical Phoenix – a fitting and recurring theme which is set in the context of our unique case of multiple colonial experiences, epoch making events both internally and worldwide and the realities of a fast changing global order. In the words of the author, it is “a story that has always encompassed darkness and light, destruction and revival, upheaval and renewal, tragedy and triumph.”

In the study, there are intense human drama, many instructive quotations, moving and unforgettable scenes, arresting anecdotes, enduring human values to be emulated, portrayals of the subjects’ personal qualities and strikingly different traits, depiction of complex intra-personal relationships within the family and among close relatives, friends and colleagues in business and politics, and lengthy discussions on the intricate web of negotiations behind the building of the major pillars (Benpres Holdings, Meralco, ABS-CBN, Sky Vision, Rockwell Land, BayanTel, Maynilad, First Philippine Infrastructure Gas Plant, National Tollway and many others) of the Lopez business empire.

source Lopez Museum  website: