Aster

Aster

Uncover Hidden Flowers meanings

There are many different stories about how the aster came to be. 

One of them is that a field of these beautiful flowers bloomed when Virgo scattered stardust over the earth.  It also symbolizes daintiness depicting how the goddess Asterea cried when she saw that there were no more stars in the sky.  Where her tears fell, the asters bloomed.

This flower became a symbol of love when it was placed on the altars for the gods.  It’s also a symbol of love detailed in Greek mythology about the Minotaur (head of a bull with a body of a man).  When Aegeus’ son, Theseus volunteered to be one of the seven Athenian boys sacrificed to Minotaur, he vowed to his father that if he succeeds, white sails would rise on his ship.  When he forgot to do this, his father believed him to be dead and killed himself.  Where his blood flowed, purple asters grew.

Asters gathered together in a bouquet make for a beautiful talisman of love.  It’s the herb of the goddess of love, Venus and that’s why it’s the best representation for love and daintiness.

  • Name:  Aster
  • Color:  Most commonly found with yellow centers, but basically asters come in a variety of colors.  They can be white, purple, red, pink, lavender, and also blue.
  • Shape:  The head of this flower forms a star shape.
  • Fact:  Besides aster, you can also call these beautiful flowers by names like starworts, frost flowers or Michaelmas daisies.  The aster blossom comes from the Greek word that means star and is often admired for its longevity (it can actually last up to three seasons). It is a September month birth flower and it’s also perfect for 20th wedding anniversaries. 
  • Poisonous:  No.  Asters are harmless to human and animals.
  • Number of Petals:  The aster, in order for it to have its star-like properties has many petals.  They’re long and slim and they go symmetrically around the yellow center. The number of petals may vary but aster usually has 21 petals.
  • Victorian Interpretation:  Aster represents love.  It also is a symbol for daintiness and charm as well as patience.
  • Blossom Time:  Asters bloom late in the year, mostly in the fall season.  Aster also comes with the name Michaelmas daisies - because they bloom in September, around St. Michaelmas Day.
  • Superstitions: In ancient times, people believed that if these flowers were burnt, the odor they produce drove serpents away.  Symbolizing the wish for things turning out differently, asters were also laid on graves of French soldiers.
  • The Shape:  Because these flowers looked like little stars, they were called asters. Indeed, they’re beautiful star shaped flowers of different colors.
  • Petals:  The aster has numerous petals.  They’re long and thin and curved.  Because of its elegant features, it’s now often embedded on wedding invitations to add that personalized unique look.
  • Numerology:  The aster is number 9.  This is a universal number that signifies that a cycle is complete. It also represents harmony – where the perfection of ideas is consummated.
  • Color:  Asters can be white which symbolizes daintiness.  They can also be lavender, purple or blue which symbolizes love.  There are also asters that have the color of pink or red on them which also means undying devotion.
  • Herbalism and Medicine:  Asters are known as nu wan or zi wan in China.  It’s a medicinal herb used to treat anything from a hangover to epilepsy.  For the Native Americans, they made use of the aster plant to treat wounds.  For helping with digestion, asters like the common yarrow can help if sipped in a tea form.

By Flo Saul
Aug 17, 2012