The edelweiss flower originates from the Himalayas and it became very popular in the Alps which include Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.
This lower grows at a height of 1500 to 3000 meters and they are usually considered as a sign of strength and courage as they are believed to have the ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions at these heights.
Flowers are of great essence to humanity and the edelweiss flower is no doubt of great importance as well, this flower belongs to the daisy and sunflower family and they are not toxic in any way.
The name of this flower “Edelweiss” is of German origin and it is derived from two German words, “Edel” and “Weiss” which means ‘noble’ and ‘white’ respectively and this is why it is regarded as noble-white in most cases.
The edelweiss flower is believed to have tomentose, a wooly appearance of white hair, on its leaves and this creates the flower hairy and silvery character.
There are different cultures and traditions in the world where the edelweiss flower is believed to have several meanings and symbolism.
The edelweiss flower has a star-like appearance and it can grow to a height of about 16 inches and this flower also has the ability to create a double-star formation between the month of July and September.
This edelweiss flower has so many meanings and it serves great importance (a national symbol) for different countries such as Switzerland and Austria and this flower has been mentioned in songs and movies, and they have also been used popularly in arts and crafts of different cultures.
The edelweiss flower naturally grows in regions that cannot be easily accessed and this gave it a specific meaning to people and it was considered to be of great luck if you can get this flower.
In this article, we will take you through the various meanings and symbolism of the edelweiss flower and you will be able to know more about the significance of this plant.
What is the Edelweiss flower meaning?
The edelweiss flower is a plant that people seek to have in their gardens and present to their loved ones as a result of its great symbol.
However, the edelweiss flower means notoriety in its whole nature as it grows in habitats that appear to be very difficult to reach and it has been given this interesting meaning since most of the local people find it hard to access it.
Men are known to go in the quest for this flower when they want to get married to show how dedicated they are and to show their capabilities and courageous nature to the woman.
In some regions of the world however, this flowering plant has great symbolic meanings and it is highly appreciated by the Swiss, Germans, and Austrians.
The ability of this plant as well to survive on mountain tops has also given it an exquisite meaning and it can be considered as a sign of strength, courage, and one’s ability to withstand life challenges.
The meaning that is attributed to this plant can, however, be said to be affected by culture, region, and the people at large. The edelweiss flower can as well have some of these meanings:
Sign of Adventure
This flower is usually associated with our adventurous nature and it can be seen as a sign of our own ability to enjoy life the way we want and it also helps us to know who we truly are.
The edelweiss flower tells us to give life a shot, enjoy life to the fullest, and be the best version of ourselves.
The ability of this plant to survive at incredible heights is also worth mentioning as well as their ability to withstand the test of time.
Sign of Honor
The edelweiss flower was very popular during the period of the 2nd world war and it became a great symbol to militants of countries that had access to this flower during that period.
The caps of country military groups now add a representation of this flower on their caps and it can be placed in any part such as the front, back, or side.
This flower is believed to be of great honor and this gave it a chance to become a national symbol of Switzerland and some other Alps countries.
Interesting and Fun facts about the Edelweiss Flower
- #1 The Edelweiss flower is more associated with Switzerland than other countries such as Germany and Austria. This flower has been used in many different logos and it is the symbol of Switzerland as a country and it can as well be found on Swiss money.
- #2 The edelweiss flower can also be called the Wollblume or Klein Lowenfuss and it has a wooly structure with star-shaped petals.
- #3 The edelweiss plant actually originated in the Himalayas, but it migrated to the Alps over time.
- #4 The word Edelweiss literally means “noble-white”.
- #5 This flower is usually associated with strength and toughness as they were once only found at very high altitudes.
- #6 Edelweiss is known to have anti-aging supporters in the plant.
- #7 The edelweiss flowers are an inevitable part of wedding arrangements for the Germans.
- #8 In 1988, the survival of the edelweiss flower was threatened as there were only 636 stems of the plant in the world.
- #9 Edelweiss is a sign of love and this is also the name of a brewer in Austria.
What is the Color meaning of the Edelweiss Flower?
The name of this flower “Edelweiss” is carved out from its appearance and color and this tree is considered to be very subtle and white in color.
The second part of the name “Weiss” means “white” and this is the only color that this wonderful plant possesses.
The notorious nature of this plant does not suit the white color of the plant which usually means purity, spirituality, and happiness.
The search to get this plant when it blooms is known to have accounted for the death of about 15 individuals annually when they climb mountains to get the flower.
Literarily, Edelweiss means noble-white and this is characteristic of the appearance of the plant but it is a shame that the plant itself does not possess the symbol of purity as the white color.
As regards the color of the flower, it can, however, be considered to mean beauty and perfection. This is as a result of the appreciation of this flower when you have it in sight and what it portrays physically.
Meaningful Botanical and Medicinal properties of the Edelweiss flower
- #1 The edelweiss flower belongs to the Asteraceae family and it is a perennial herbaceous plant.
- #2 This plant grows well under high temperatures and also under a little bit shady environment. They perform well under temperature between 15 and 30 degrees.
- #3 The edelweiss flower contains stevioside and rebaudioside A in its leaves and this makes the plant tasteless. The leaves of this flower are however sweet and they are used commercially for the production of sweeteners.
- #4 The edelweiss flower grows as an annual plant in cold regions of the world.
- #5 There are two types of the edelweiss flower seeds and they are the Black edelweiss seeds and White edelweiss seed.
- #6 The edelweiss plant has the ability to live for about 4 to 5 years.
Edelweiss flower symbolism in different Cultures and History
Flowers grow in different parts of the world and they are believed to have great characteristics.
The edelweiss flower has different symbolism to different people in different regions of the world and here we will discuss some of those symbols that are worth mentioning.
Read further to learn more about the symbolism of the Edelweiss flower.
Symbol of Purity
In the 19th century, the edelweiss flower was considered as a symbol of purity by people who lived around the Alps.
This flower was highly respected and believed to be very pure in nature and it was considered as the nature of our individuality and personality.
However, the difficulty entailed in having access to this flower must be noted and this is one of the reasons why this flower is highly appreciated by those that it is gifted to.
Symbol of Uniqueness
The edelweiss flower is a very special plant as it has been linked to one of the greatest moments in human history.
The edelweiss flower is often linked to World War II and there was even a song which was dedicated to this flower titled “Es War Ein Edelweiss” which meant there was once an Edelweiss flower by the World War II army.
Also, the highest-ranked officers of the Swiss army are honored with badges that are shaped like the Edelweiss flower.
This flower is considered to be very unique and it is usually gifted to a person who takes a special spot in our life or someone we cannot just do without. This flower is telling us to use our special nature to our own benefit.
Symbol of Courage
The edelweiss plant usually grows in places where most other plants find it very hard to survive in, and it also takes courageous people to access this flower with ease.
This flower can be considered as a symbol of how courageous we need to be and the need for us to train ourselves to survive at all costs not minding all the challenges and troubles that lie ahead.
Conclusion
The edelweiss flower tells us to be strong and courageous and it also means that we should enjoy our lives to the fullest.
You have to be you to be able to make the best use of your potentials and to also be recognized for who you really are. Be yourself and trust your capabilities.
On behalf of the author, thank you so much for taking the time to read this article !
