Sunflower is the name of a plant. The sunflower's scientific name is helianthus annus, meaning “sun flower”. It is a plant native to North America and has the particularity of being heliotropic, that is, turns the stem positioning the flower towards the sun during the ripening phase. When the stalk of the plant stops growing, the sunflower remains stationary towards the east until it dies.
According to popular wisdom, the sunflower flower means happiness. Its yellow color or the orange hues of the petals can symbolize heat, loyalty, enthusiasm and vitality, reflecting the positive energy emanating from the sun. The sunflower can also represent haughtiness.
Due to its beauty and exuberance, the sunflower flower is much sought after for ornamentation. It is believed that it brings luck and good vibes to the environment, being a flower widely used in Feng Shui, as it has characteristics of the Sun.
In an arrangement, planted in the ground or in a vase, the sunflower blossom stands out in any garden or interior decoration. It is strongly associated with fame, success, longevity, nutrition, power and warmth. Offering a sunflower to a person who has started a business expresses a wish for success and good fortune for him.
According to a popular belief, sunflower seed, when left in the sun, can cure infertility. In Hungary it is believed that if sunflower seeds are placed in the window of a pregnant woman's house, the child will be born a male. In Spain, those who have 11 sunflowers have luck on their side.
sunflower story
Greek Mythology presents a legend that explains the appearance of the sunflower blossom. Clítia or Clicie was a nymph who was in love with Hélio, the god of the Sun. When he left her for Leucoteia, Clicie began to weaken. She sat on the cold floor, not eating or drinking, feeding only on her own tears.
While the sun was in the sky, Clicie didn't look away from it even for a second, but during the night her face turned to the ground, so she continued to cry. Over time, her feet took root and her face turned into a flower, which continued to follow the sun. This is how Greek mythology explains the birth of the first sunflower flower.
The sunflower flower in Spiritism
There is no mention in the Spiritist Doctrine of the sunflower as a symbol. But it is not uncommon to find in the texts of followers of Spiritism allusions to this plant. In these texts, the sunflower appears as a metaphor for life. Divine Light feeds the spirit, just as sunlight feeds a sunflower blossom.
In the same way as the sunflower always moves in search of the sun, it is recommended that people do the same in life, always looking for the side of light and avoiding vices and darkness. Thus, the sunflower can be understood as an example to be followed.
Uses of sunflower
Sunflower can be used for different purposes. Your seeds they are very nutritious and are used for the production of cooking oil, biodiesel, bird feed and also for human consumption.
already the flowers and the stem of the plant are used in the manufacture of an alcoholic tincture that can be used in the treatment of respiratory and pulmonary diseases.
Sunflower can also be used in the hygiene and cosmetic products industry, as an ingredient in moisturizing creams, lubricants and soaps. THE fiber existing in the stalk of the sunflower can be used in papermaking.
Also know what the flower parts.
Van Gogh's Sunflowers
In painting, the series of paintings “Sunflowers” by the Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh stands out. The paintings were produced between 1888 and 1889 during his stay in the city of Arles, in southern France.
Van Gogh painted a total of seven paintings in the series, which are interpreted as representing the renewal of life from the continuous cycles of life and death.
Twelve Sunflowers in a Vase (1888) - One of Van Gogh's Seven Works
Also read the meaning of Spiritism.
See too:
- meaning of haughtiness
- Definition of Lotus Flower
- Definition of Daisy Flower
