Bells of Ireland

Uncover Hidden Flowers meanings

Have you ever heard about the phrase “the luck of the Irish”? You can associate this with the meaning of the bells of Ireland flowers. Green is a color of good luck.

As a symbol of prosperity, it is often the flower of choice during special events like St. Patrick’s Day as well as during wedding ceremonies. It’s is also a good way to sum up your wishes of good luck with a bouquet of bells of Ireland as a present.

  • Name:  Bells of Ireland
  • Color:  It’s probably because of the color of the flowers that the bells of Ireland are named.  While others view the flowers to be the leaves themselves, actually, the flowers are right in the center of this bell-shaped calyces that work as the leaves.  So they are actually white flowers with green calyces surrounding them.
  • Shape:  You can get from the name of the flower what shape its blossoms have.  That’s right, they’re bell shaped.
  • Fact:  The bells of Ireland have nothing at all to do with Ireland.  They don’t even come from the country.  They’re native to countries like Syria and Turkey. Bells of Ireland are also known as Moucella which is often described as a versatile flower because of its many uses in transforming a drab floral arrangement into something extraordinary. And due to its distinctly rustic charm, it springs off eclectic modern twists when combined with conventional floral combination. Bells of Ireland are usually called in different names (depending on the country or locality). For example, in New Zealand and Australia, the Bells of Ireland or Molucella is called Canterbury bells.
  • Poisonous:  No.  The bells of Ireland are flowers that are safe to keep in environments for humans as well as for animals.
  • Number of Petals:  Looking at the calyx surrounding the tiny flowers of bells of Ireland, you there’s actually just one petal when it is on its full bloom stage. However, during its developing stages, it’s normal to see five white petals.  
  • Victorian Interpretation:  Aside from the green hue of the bells, the Victorian interpretation of the bells of Ireland is good luck. 
  • Blossom Time:  Bells of Ireland are at its best during summer.  This is when the flowers bloom the most beautiful - and it bloom all the way up until early fall.
  • Superstitions:  It’s the type of flower you want to have around in your home when you need a bit of good luck.  It’s mainly a superstition that you’ll get good luck from these flowers but it might just be all you need to look on the brighter side of life - and the bells of Ireland can do just that.
  • What the Bells of Ireland Mean:  Good luck
  • The Shape:  There are two things that you need to consider when looking at the shape of bells of Ireland.  For the calyces, it’s mainly shaped like a bell - and thus the name of the flower.  But if you look at the shape of the blossoms before the bells develop, they are shaped like flat disk.
  • Petals:  The petals are also a bone of contention with the bells of Ireland.  If it’s the calyx you’re focusing on, it’s just one petal.  If it’s the flowers, it has five petals.
  • Numerology:  The expression number 8 comes up with the bells of Ireland.  It’s a number that depicts power and it might be one of the reasons why this plant means good luck.
  • Color:  Whatever part you’re looking at with the bells of Ireland, you’ll have two views regarding       the color of the flower.  The bells that house the tiny foliage is green.  The foliage in the calyx is color white.

Herbalism and Medicine:  

There are no apparent medicinal values but highly regarded for its exotic fragrance.

By Flo Saul
Aug 17, 2012