Since ancient times, flowers have been given different symbolic meanings. Because of their natural beauty and tenderness, they were associated with gods and higher powers which made them an important element of people’s lives. Observing plants’ life cycles became an inspiration for speculating about destiny, purpose, love, time, and many other important aspects of being alive. As time passed, flowers have become strong symbols of emotions and aesthetics which artists incorporate into their work.
Musicians often use flower symbolism in song lyricism. This article shows how beautifully it can represent certain ideas and feelings through some examples.
Image by Ben Hassett
Rose
is one of the most popular images to use in music. Classically it represents love and passion, coming from stable social associations with relationships. A great example would be Bon Jovi’s Bed Of Roses:
“Still I run out of time or it’s hard to get through
Till the bird on the wire flies me back to you
I’ll just close my eyes and whisper
Baby, blind love is true
I want to lay you down in a bed of roses”.
In Ancient Greece roses represented the goddess of beauty Aphrodite. This association was manifested in music through the dark, mysterious, and graceful atmosphere of gothic compositions. It is represented amazingly in songs of the album “Bara no Seidou” (薔薇の聖堂 ― A Rose Sanctuary) by the Japanese visual kei band Malice Mizer.
“The shadows illuminated by pale moonlight
I am dyed in the colors of the crimson rose
the promise we exchanged in the dead of night
in the reaches of the mourning darkness
as the churchbells resound,
now, the flickering light…”
Translation of the song “Mayonaka ni kawashita Yakusoku” (真夜中に交わした約束) from AllofLyricsSubscribed
Baby’s breath
The beautiful image of these tender little flowers usually represents purity. For instance, in Bill Callahan’s song “Baby’s Breath” there are lines “Oh young girl at the wedding
Baby’s breath in her hair
A crowning lace above her face
That’ll last a day before it turns to hay”.
Here baby’s breath is a part of the bride’s gown. Flowers in her hair, veil made out of lace, everything is white, and so is her dress. A very gentle image, in which flowers play a significant role. Purity is represented by both the white color of the baby’s breath and its position along with other elements of a bridal gown. It is the wedding day after what, traditionally speaking, a pure young lady becomes a wife.
Sunflower
Bright, positive, and beautiful, sunflower represents loyalty and strength. The song “ひまわり (Himawari — sunflower)” by Deadman says:
“Goodbye, beloved one, please stay forever
In the land where sunflowers bloom and we met
Looking back, you were smiling
Enduring death, the sky turns black, the ground submerged in water
Screams, swallowed, the ark sinks’
The two of us once again”.
The translation is from the site Letras
The dark atmosphere of the song emphasizes the idea of loyalty, looking back to a loved one. And eventually being strong enough to overcome everything, even death, to stay with each other.
Flowers are a gift from nature that pierces the souls of many people with beauty. Artists put their tears of love into art, into songs that we then listen to. This is how flower symbolism is incorporated into music.
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