Mental health is an important issue that affects many people around the world. Finding ways to support mental health and wellbeing has become a growing focus in recent years. One interesting approach that has emerged is using the color purple and purple flowers as symbols of mental health awareness and support. But why the color purple? And what is the significance of the purple flower when it comes to mental health?
The Meaning of the Color Purple
The color purple has long been associated with royalty, spirituality, and creativity. It is a mix of red’s stimulation and blue’s calm. This combination creates balance between passion and tranquility. Throughout history, the color purple has been thought to promote stability and healing.
Purple is also the color of the seventh chakra known as the crown chakra which is located at the top of the head. This chakra influences wisdom, self-knowledge, and enlightenment. Promoting balance in the crown chakra is believed to lead to clearer thinking and emotional stability.
Additionally, in color psychology, purple is associated with imagination and reinvention. It inspires creative solutions and new ways of thinking.
The Purple Flower as a Symbol
Because of its many positive attributes, the color purple has been adopted as a symbol of mental health awareness. The specific use of the purple flower builds on the color’s meaning and provides a visible sign of support.
Flowers have long been given as gifts to convey messages between people. Different colored flowers carry different meanings. For example, red roses represent love, white lilies symbolize purity, and sunflowers communicate joy.
The purple flower takes on significance as a way to demonstrate compassion for those living with mental health challenges. Mental illness continues to carry societal stigma, so the purple flower aims to create positive conversation and understanding.
History of the Purple Flower
While many purple flowers could carry this symbolism, one flower that has become particularly connected to mental health is the lavender flower. Here is a brief history of how lavender became associated with mental wellness:
Ancient Use
Lavender has been used for its healing properties for thousands of years. The Ancient Egyptians utilized lavender for mummification and cosmetics. Ancient Romans bathed in lavender to restore their skin and spirit. Lavender’s calming scent and ability to soothe anxiety has long been known.
World War I
During World War I, lavender was used in hospitals to disinfect and dress wounds. Nurses also noticed that the scent helped relax patients.
The 1920s
Lavender farmers in the 1920s began promoting the herb’s relaxing benefits. Advertisements recommended lavender for headaches, depression, and moodiness.
1940s-1970s
Use of lavender declined with the advent of modern medicines until the 1970s. Then, along with renewed interest in holistic health, lavender regained popularity as an alternative treatment for anxiety and depression.
Modern Day
Now, lavender is one of the most widely used essential oils. Multiple studies have demonstrated its anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties. As a result, this gentle purple flower has become a recognized symbol for mental health.
Purple Flowers for Mental Health Awareness
Many different purple flowers can be used to convey mental health solidarity and support. Here are some of the top purple flowers and their specific meanings that make them suited for mental health awareness:
| Flower | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Lavender | Calmness, serenity, devotion |
| Iris | Hope, cherished friendship, wisdom |
| Hyacinth | Sincerity, peace of mind, meditation |
| Violet | Modesty, faithfulness, intuition |
| Lilac | Tranquility, confidence, rebirth |
| Orchid | Refinement, maturity, integrity |
| Gladiolus | Strength, infatuation, never giving up |
| Statice | Sympathy, success, devotion |
| Allium | Patience, unity, humility |
| Anemone | Protection, healing, anticipation |
As demonstrated here, many purple blooms convey meaning connected to mental wellbeing like calmness, hope, tranquility, strength, and healing. This makes them ideal symbols for mental health awareness.
Ways to Use Purple Flowers
There are many ways purple flowers can be used to promote mental health awareness and compassion:
Gifting
– Give a bouquet of purple flowers to loved ones dealing with mental health struggles to show your support. Lavender, iris, lilac, violets, and statice make especially thoughtful gifts.
Fundraising
– Mental health organizations often use purple flowers to raise funds and awareness. Buying a purple flower pin or bouquet helps support these groups.
Event Décor
– Incorporating purple flowers into events, conferences, or office spaces creates a welcoming atmosphere and encourages mental health conversations.
Landscaping
– Planting purple flower gardens, window boxes, and pots displays a commitment to mental wellness. Common purple perennials include lavender, pansies, asters, and hyacinth.
Art
– Creating artwork featuring purple flowers makes a bold visual statement. Digital designs, paintings, flower crowns, and photographs are impactful.
Jewelry
– Wearing purple flower jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings promotes mental health in style. Amethyst, lavender, iris, and violet designs are popular.
Tattoos
– Purple flower tattoos provide a permanent way to share a mental health message. Lavender sprigs, pansies, orchids, and lilacs make meaningful symbols.
Purple Flower Meanings in Other Cultures
While in most Western cultures purple flowers signify mental health, their meanings can vary across countries:
| Culture | Flower Meaning |
|---|---|
| China | Orchids represent refinement; violets symbolize faithfulness |
| Japan | Violets represent lesbian love; wisteria signifies overcoming challenges |
| Korea | Irises indicate wisdom; violets mean waiting |
| Greece | Irises symbolize valor; hyacinths represent sorrow |
| England | Lavender signifies devotion; lilacs mean first love |
| India | Orchids indicate exotic beauty; lilacs represent spirituality |
So while purple blooms carry mental health meaning in the West, their symbolism varies globally based on cultural legends and traditions.
Conclusion
The purple flower, especially the lavender bloom, has become an international symbol for mental health awareness. The color purple and its flowers represent wisdom, imagination, creativity, calmness, and inner peace. Purple flowers are used as gifts, fundraising tools, event décor, garden plants, artwork, jewelry, and tattoos to express support for mental wellness. Specific purple blooms like lavender, violets, iris, lilac, hyacinth, and orchids are popular as meaningful symbols of tranquility and healing. However, flower meanings can differ across cultures. In the end, the gentle purple flower, with its connotation of health and steadiness, sends a hopeful message of understanding and stability to those experiencing mental health challenges.