When you think of carnations, you might think of frilly 1950s corsages and old-fashioned blinddates (as in, “I’ll be the one wearing the pink carnation.”) Known to be hardy and inexpensive, carnations have come back into fashion in recent years and their popularity continues to rise. They also have a rich cultural history dating back to ancient Greece, and are considered to be the official flower of Mother’s Day (May 12, 2024 in North America).

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ABOUT CARNATIONS

With their diverse colours and sturdy blooms, carnations have earned popularity worldwide. Native to Iraq and Mediterranean countries, their cultivation has expanded to Colombia, Kenya, and the Netherlands, ensuring their presence in bouquets, arrangements, and cultural celebrations globally. 

Botanically, carnations are characterized by their distinctive fringed petals and spicy fragrance, with a wide range of colours including white, pink, red, purple and yellow. They typically grow in temperate regions and are cultivated worldwide for their ornamental value in gardens, floral arrangements, and as cut flowers. Carnations also boast a relatively long vase life, making them popular choices for floral displays and bouquets.

Carnations, scientifically known as Dianthus caryophyllus, are a diverse and fascinating genus within the Caryophyllaceae family. Beyond their cultural significance, carnations also play a crucial role in the botanical world through their reproductive processes. As flowering plants, carnations undergo cross-pollination, a vital mechanism for genetic diversity and evolutionary adaptation. Cross-pollination occurs when pollen from one carnation flower is transferred to the stigma of another, either through the action of wind, insects, or human intervention. This process facilitates the exchange of genetic material, leading to the production of seeds with varied characteristics.

CARNATIONS FOR MOTHER’S DAY

The tradition of gifting carnations on Mother's Day can be traced back to the early 20th century, when Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother's Day in the United States, advocated for the holiday to honour mothers and motherhood. Jarvis's own mother, Ann Jarvis, had considered them her favourite flower. In honouring her mother's memory and the sacrifices mothers make for their children, the younger Jarvis chose white carnations as the emblem of Mother's Day. She believed that white carnations symbolized the purity, love, and strength of a mother's affection, and sent 500 of them to female members of her church.

Since then, carnations, particularly white ones, have become synonymous with Mother's Day celebrations. They are often given as gifts to mothers, grandmothers, and maternal figures as a token of gratitude, love, and appreciation for their nurturing presence in our lives.

Pink carnations are also commonly associated with Mother's Day, symbolizing maternal love and gratitude. In some cultures, pink carnations are specifically reserved for honouring living mothers, while white carnations may be used to commemorate mothers who have passed away.

Carnations have become an enduring symbol of maternal love and devotion, making them a cherished tradition on Mother's Day and a heartfelt expression of gratitude towards the women who play a vital role in shaping our lives.

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HISTORY AND MYTHOLOGY OF CARNATIONS

Native to the Mediterranean region, particularly Greece, the carnation has graced humanity's presence for over 2,000 years. Its family name, Dianthus, translates to "flower of the gods" or "divine flower," reflecting the reverence it commanded in ancient civilizations. The name carnation comes from the root word coronation, as ancient Athenians wove them into flower crowns, believing they possessed sacred properties.

Carnations are steeped in mythological tales and legends. In Greek mythology, the carnation is said to have sprung from the tears of the goddess Diana as she wept for Adonis. According to legend, when Venus, the goddess of love, and Cupid, her mischievous son, visited Earth, carnations sprang from the ground wherever Cupid's arrows struck.

In Christianity, carnations were linked to the crucifixion of Christ, with white carnations symbolizing his purity and red representing his blood.

SIGNIFICANCE AND SYMBOLISM OF CARNATIONS

Carnations have long held symbolic importance in various cultures. In the Victorian era, the language of flowers, or "floriography," was used to convey sentiments. Red carnations conveyed love and admiration, while white symbolized purity and luck. Even then, pink carnations represented maternal love, making them popular choices for Mother's Day and Mothering Sunday in the UK. During that time, the writer Oscar Wilde also started the fashion of wearing a green carnation in one’s lapel to discreetly signal one’s homosexuality. They were also used to respond to suiters in this era, with a solid colour signalling “yes,” striped meant “regretfully, no,” and yellow was a solid “no.”

CARNATIONS IN LITERATURE AND THE ARTS

Throughout history, carnations have inspired poets, artists, and musicians alike. William Shakespeare's references to carnations in his works are primarily found in The Winter's Tale. In Act IV, Perdita offers the flowers, saying “The fairest flowers o’ the season, are our carnations.” 

In literary classic The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, sends carnations to Daisy Buchanan as a symbol of his enduring affection.

Vincent van Gogh, known for his vibrant and expressive style, featured carnations in several of his works. One notable example is Vase with Carnations (1886), now in the collection of the Detroit Institute of the Arts, where he portrays a bouquet of carnations in a vase with his characteristic bold brushstrokes and use of colour and the distinct style of the Dutch Masters. At the Art Gallery of Ontario, one can view Portrait of a Young Girl With Carnations (1663) by Jan Albertsz Rotius, another Dutch painter. 

Carnations also found their way into music and song. Claude Debussy's Clair de Lune mentions the "cadence of sweet carnations" in its poetic imagery. The flower has also made its way into politics, as in "Carnation" by The Jam, a protest song against the conservative government of Margaret Thatcher.

Similarly, in cinema, carnations have been used symbolically to convey themes of love, longing, and remembrance. In Alfred Hitchcock's film Vertigo, the carnation appears as a symbol of romantic longing and obsession. It's notably featured in the scene where Scottie (played by James Stewart) follows Madeleine (played by Kim Novak) to the flower shop and watches her buy a bouquet of flowers, including a white carnation. The carnation serves as a visual motif representing Scottie's infatuation with Madeleine and his desperate desire to possess her.

Whether to represent maternal love or romance, carnations are one of the most popular flowers around the world.

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