The Significance of Orchids

Orchids are well-liked by people from all over the world, and they have been regarded as useful and important plants by many cultures throughout history.

Here is some information that can help you understand the significance of these exotic blooms:

Meaning of Orchids: Generally, orchids are considered a symbol of love, rare beauty, strength, and wealth.

Symbol of Virility in Ancient Greece: The ancient Greeks considered orchids a symbol of virility. They believed that the gender of an unborn child could be determined by eating orchid tubers. If a man consumed large orchid tubers, his wife would give birth to a boy. On the other hand, if the wife consumed small orchid tubers, she would bear a girl. 

Symbol of Luxury in Victorian England: Orchid collections became very popular in England during the Victorian era, and they were regarded as a symbol of status and luxury in the society.

Orchids for Different Uses and Occasions: Different types of orchids have different appearances and personalities, and therefore, they were suited to different uses and occasions.

• Phalaenopsis orchids, or moth orchids, are known for their simplicity and elegance, and they are widely used in modern floral arrangement.
• Cymbidium orchids were once the official orchid species used for making Mother’s Day corsages.
• Cattleya orchids were highly-favored by brides in the 1940s and 1950s, and they were used in bridal bouquets and wedding decorations.

Edible Orchids: Some types of orchids are edible, and many people use them as garnish. The most common edible orchid is the Vanilla orchid, which is the source of the popular vanilla flavoring.

Medicinal Uses of Orchids: It is believed that certain orchids have healing and protective properties. The Chinese used orchids to make medicines for curing coughs and lung illnesses, and the Aztecs consumed vanilla orchid to improve their strength.

If you like reading interesting facts about orchids, check out this orchid history article.