No flower can lift spirits quite like sunflowers can. Bright
and cheery, bold yet comfortable, the sunflower is a warm and caring gift.
With brilliant yellow petals that surround the flower's center, sunflowers
have an unmistakable sun-like appearance that has made them a passionate
flower choice for many. Sunflowers come in a number of varieties, ranging
from small to large and from daylight yellows to sunset reds.
Sunflowers
originated in the Americas in 1000B.C., where for centuries they were
cultivated as a valuable food source. The use of sunflower images as
religious symbols has also been documented in some native societies. With
the European exploration of the New World, the sunflower was brought to
new areas, and the flower's popularity eventually spread as the rest of
the world began to appreciate its beauty and sustenance. Artists
throughout history have appreciated the sunflower’s unique splendor, and
those of the Impressionist era were especially fixated on the flower. Today,
sunflowers continue to provide a resource for commonly used seeds and oil,
but they have also become recognized as a floral symbol of great
significance.
Much of the meaning of sunflowers stems from its
namesake, the sun itself. Wild sunflowers are often photographed with
their tall stalks and bright petals stretched towards the sun. This unique
behavior, known as phototropism, is a motif that has appeared in many
ancient myths and is viewed as a symbol of loyalty and constancy. Their
physical resemblance to the sun has also influenced their meanings. The
sunflower’s petals have been likened to bright yellow rays of sunshine,
which evoke feelings of warmth and happiness. In addition, the sunflower
is often associated with adoration and longevity.
For a flower which reflects so many of the sun's
positive characteristics, it is little surprise that people enjoy basking
in the sunflower’s warming glow. With the sense of brightness and warmth
that sunflowers naturally impart, they have become an ideal choice for
sending sentiments of cheerfulness and sunny thoughts.
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