White Chrysanthemum

White Chrysanthemum

Uncover Hidden Flowers meanings

White chrysanthemums are deemed to be the symbols of truth and purity. 

If you ever wanted to find out the truth regarding a particular situation, you just have to give this flower to the person you wish to have some enlightenment from.  Assuming that the person who received the white mum knows the meaning of the white chrysanthemum, he or she would have to confess the truth to you. 

The simple act of putting white chrysanthemums in a vase on top of your living room table is a way to encourage everyone living in the house to always tell the truth – and value honesty.

  • Name: White Chrysanthemum
  • Color: White chrysanthemums are just that, white.  However, some blossoms can have a tinge of green or yellow on its center.
  • Shape: Known most commonly as mums, chrysanthemums can look like buttons of petals.  However, they can look like wheels or disks and even spiders or fireworks on chrysanthemum with spoon shaped petals.
  • Fact: Before England even knew about chrysanthemums, they’ve already been cultivated for thousands of years in Chinese gardens. In fact, its curling, slim and enchanting look has always been the favorite flower of the Chinese – and deeply embedded in its culture. Chrysanthemum together with plum blossom, orchid and the bamboo, they are collectively known as “Four Noble Ones” – representing the four seasons. There is even a city in China that is named after this lovely flower (Chu-hsien).
  • Poisonous: Other parts of chrysanthemums may be poisonous but not its flower.  The flowers have zero levels of toxicity but you have to be careful about its leaves and stalks.
  • Number of Petals:  White chrysanthemums have numerous petals.  It can look like they have one layer of petals that you can easily count but there are varieties that have petals from their edges going right down to their centers.
  • Victorian Interpretation:  Mainly due to its color, white chrysanthemums represent truth.  It’s going to take on a different meaning when you look at these flowers in general or as another color.
  • Blossom Time:  It is known as the autumn flower because it usually blooms in September but some chrysanthemums can also bloom beautifully in the early part of the year.

Superstitions: 

Since the Chinese has been cultivating and growing chrysanthemums for over 2500 years before it was introduced to England, there are many superstitions revolving around it.  For the most part, it was the favorite of nobility and therefore, only noble families can plant this in their gardens.  Later, these flowers symbolized strong life and pretty soon, it was the go to gift to give for old people. White chrysanthemums are used only in funerals so it’s better to give red chrysanthemums to the elderly.

On the other side of the world, in Germany, white chrysanthemums are taken home on Christmas Eve.  This is mainly due to the belief that the chrysanthemum is the Christ Child himself.  It all starts with the legend where a peasant family hears a wailing sound outside.  When they went out, they find a beggar freezing in the cold.  Taking the beggar in, he revealed himself to be the Christ Child.  The next day chrysanthemums bloomed outside where the beggar stood.

  • The Shape: Mums as chrysanthemums are known for short, look like buttons adorned with petals.  These are referred to as decorative or even reflex mums.  There are other shapes that chrysanthemums can take and it depends mostly on the shape of the petals.
  • Petals:  White chrysanthemums have petals that cover the center of the flower.  If they’re small and numerous and give the chrysanthemum a globular form, they take the shape of a pompon.  In the case of spoon chrysanthemums, the petals look like a spatula.  Whatever shape it takes, if it’s white, it signifies truth.
  • Numerology:  The white chrysanthemum is known as a 6 in numerology.  The characteristics of this number are balance, responsibility, protection and nurturing.
  • Color:  White chrysanthemums come in a pure color.  It’s the color of truth.

Herbalism and Medicine:  

Consumed as tea or herbs added to food, chrysanthemums provide for a host of health benefits and it’s a great source of vitamins and minerals.

By Florance Saul
Aug 20, 2012