Do you know someone born in October? Then, you might want to surprise them with either of the birth flowers for this month.
This guide will explore the meanings, symbolism, and cultural impact of the October birth flowers as well as the perfect occasions when to give them.
What are the birth flowers of October?
There are two October birth flowers: the marigold and the cosmos.
An autumn flower, the marigold sports red, orange, and yellow flowers reminiscent of scarecrows, pumpkin patches, bonfires, and warm-colored fallen leaves.
Likewise, cosmos flowers come in autumn colors: maroon, yellow, and orange.
Moreover, cosmos have identical, symmetrical petals, which are a good representation of the October astrological sign Libra. Libra’s symbol is a symmetrical scale.
What does the marigold flower symbolize?
Golden marigold generally stands for strength, persistence, hope, and joy. But in some cultures, particularly in Mexico, it signifies death and sadness as well.
Marigold represents strength and persistence
Mainly, the marigold embodies strength and persistence because it is a relatively tough flowering plant.
It has a reputation for surviving and blooming even amid very bad weather in fall, unlike other flowers.
Marigold represents hope and optimism
The flower also symbolizes hope and joy since it reminds people of the shining sun with its round yellow or orange shape.
Marigold represents a person’s inner light
Marigolds wonderfully portray the light within every person. Their glowing color reminds one of their inherent goodness, talents, and capabilities.
Marigold represents warmth and friendship
Since most marigolds come in gold, yellow, and orange, they convey a feeling of warmth and friendship.
Bright-colored marigolds are inviting and pleasant to see in any form—be they swaying in the garden breeze or arranged in a stylish bouquet or arrangement.
But not all meanings of the marigold are positive. It may hold unfavorable meanings as well.
Does the marigold have an unfavorable meaning?
In Mexican culture, yellow and orange marigold flowers have unfavorable meanings of death and sadness. Mexicans decorate altars and gravesites with them to show respect to departed friends or relatives.
Similarly, Victorian English culture viewed them as a symbol of pain and grief after a setback, losing someone, or heartbreak.
What is the cultural significance of the marigold?
The marigold holds cultural significance in ancient and contemporary Mexico, Medieval Europe, and India.
- Marigold is the official flower of the Day of the Dead.
- The Aztecs believed that the marigold has magical and protective qualities.
- Marigold was thought to cure the Bubonic Plague.
- Marigold garlands are given to friends in India.
Marigold is the main flower for Dia De Los Muertos
Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a huge festival in Mexico that honors people that have passed on. This event is observed from November 1st to 2nd.
Although many people grieve during this event, they also think of this day as a cause for celebration because the person dear to them is believed to return home during this time.
During Dia de Los Muertos, there are lots of marigold decorations (from crowns and bouquets to large arches), costumed men and women with skulls painted on their faces, parades, and music.
Marigold was a sacred flower to the Aztec people
Prior to the 16th century, the Aztec people considered the marigold as a sacred plant that had magical, healing, and protective properties.
They used the flower to cure a variety of conditions from hiccups to lightning injuries. They also saw marigolds as a powerful charm that helped people cross a river safely.
Marigold was thought to cure the Bubonic Plague
Back in the mid-14th century, the Black Death pandemic struck Europe which resulted in 75 to 200 million deaths. It’s the highest recorded fatality of a pandemic in history.
To prevent the deadly disease from spreading further, marigold flowers and leaves were largely used as a natural remedy.
Marigold garlands are given to friends in India
Resembling the sun, colorful marigolds also take the meanings of excitement, positive energy, and happiness in India.
This is why people give marigold garlands to friends whether on a casual or special occasion like their birthday, graduation, or wedding celebration.
What does the marigold symbolize in religion?
The marigold flower symbolizes different emotions, positive qualities, and states in the Buddhist and Hindu religions:
- In Buddhism, marigolds symbolize gratitude, respect, and admiration.
- In Hinduism, marigolds symbolize bliss, hope, passion, and creativity of a married couple.
Marigold flowers are offered to a Buddha
In Buddhism, marigolds express gratitude, respect, and admiration. Their bright and full bloom also represents inner peace and enlightenment, which are what the religion teaches.
Thus, people may offer marigold flowers to a Buddha when they come to the temple to pray and ask for help or guidance.
Marigold flowers are used in Hindu weddings
Marigolds are also popular flowers in Hinduism. In this religion, they’re sometimes referred to as “Herbs of the Sun” because of their beautiful sun-like shape.
Given this, the flower also signifies bliss, hope, passion, and creativity of a married couple.
When do I gift someone marigold flowers?
Marigolds can be gifted to a friend or loved one on many occasions, including but not limited to birthdays, Thanksgiving, baby showers, weddings, and International Friendship Day (July 30).
A downhearted friend or one recovering in a hospital can feel better if a nice marigold gift is handed or sent to them. Like daisies and sunflowers, marigolds have a vibrant and positive color that can make them smile.
Also, one can give marigold flowers in a vase as a housewarming gift or for those whose house needs a little pop of color to foster a cheerful ambiance.
That’s all about the golden marigold flower. It’s now time to look at the meanings of the second birth flower for October: the cosmos flower.
What does the cosmos flower symbolize?
Cosmos flowers symbolize peace, order, and symmetry. They also embody love and bliss.
Cosmos represents harmony and balance
The second October birth flower, the cosmos, represents balance and harmony. Each side of the cosmos’ petals is equal and consistent, thus inspiring this symbolism.
What’s the name origin of the cosmos flower?
The flower name cosmos comes from the Ancient Greek word kósmos, meaning order and government. This pertains to the beauty and organization of stars, planets, and galaxies.
Because the cosmos flower has an ordered and symmetrical petal formation, it was given the same name as the universe.
Cosmos represents peace and tranquility
The cosmos flower also stands for peace and tranquility. These two states can be a result of harmony and balance, which the flower also signifies.
Cosmos represents love and happiness
The cosmos signifies love and happiness in simple things.
Besides that, the flower suggests joy and excitement about life as it comes in many shades of colors like lavender, white, pink, red, orange, and yellow.
Cosmos represents beauty and innocence
Cosmos flowers symbolize beauty and innocence. They consist of simple, wonderful, and symmetrical petals and carry a sweet scent.
Also, a white cosmos, in particular, connotes purity and innocence. White is often associated with these qualities.
What do different cosmos flower colors mean?
Below are the various meanings of the cosmos flower by color:
- Red cosmos means love and romance.
- Pink cosmos means motherly love.
- White cosmos means purity and innocence.
- Yellow cosmos means friendship.
Red cosmos means love and romance
Red cosmos flowers portray love and passion for a spouse, partner, or someone who’s admired.
Therefore, they can perfectly match the meaning of red roses and lilies, and one can place them in a bouquet for a romantic partner.
Pink cosmos means motherly love
A mother’s love is associated with the color pink. Like carnations, pink cosmos also symbolize motherly love.
Pink cosmos depict the care, love, and dedication of a mother bringing up her children.
White cosmos means purity and innocence
White cosmos flowers represent purity and innocence. The color white is often associated with these positive attributes.
Yellow cosmos means friendship
Yellow cosmos can mean friendship, joy, trust, and energy. This warm color may represent the comfort one can get from a good friend.
What is the cultural relevance of cosmos flowers?
The cosmos holds cultural significance in China, Korea, and Mexico:
- Cosmos denote love and beauty in China.
- Cosmos represent true love in Korea.
- Cosmos symbolize the Aztec deity Tlaltecuhtli.
Cosmos connotes love and beauty in China
In China, people regard cosmos flowers as a symbol of beauty, love, happiness, and purity. The reason for this is that flowers are beautiful and sport warm and bright colors.
And so, they are gifted to close friends and relatives on many occasions to express love and happiness or to show one thinks that the receiver is beautiful and/or pure.
Cosmos represents true love in Korea
In Korea, cosmos flowers are symbolic of true love and beauty. Therefore, it is a common flower gift among lovers that can be given on a regular day or on Valentine’s Day.
Interestingly, Valentine’s Day isn’t the only day for celebrating romantic love in Korea. Every 14th of every month is a “love day.”
Cosmos is associated with Mexican gods and spirits
Due to the cosmos flowers’ celestial meanings of order and harmony, they’ve become representative of certain Mexican deities and spirits.
One example of this Aztec deity is Tlaltecuhtli. It is said that this final and fifth world or cosmos was created from his severed body.
What does the cosmos symbolize in religion?
The cosmos flower symbolizes different concepts in the Christian and Islamic religions:
- In Christianity, cosmos mean God’s infinite love.
- In Islam, cosmos mean paradise and its beauty.
Cosmos means love, hope, and peace in Christianity
Cosmos flowers have a profound spiritual meaning in Christianity. These flowers are taken to represent God’s unbiased love for all his creations.
They can also signify peace and faith because they don’t have thorns (thus, they don’t pose risks to humans and pets) and are often used as altar flowers and church decorations.
Cosmos represents heaven and beauty in Islam
Islam followers consider the cosmos flower to be sacred. The Arabic name of this flower translates to heaven, and it has been featured in many Islamic paintings and buildings.
Also, legend has it that when Islam’s founder Muhammad was born in the latter 6th century, wonderful cosmos flowers bloomed all over the garden of his home.
When do I gift someone cosmos flowers?
You can surprise a family, friend, or lover with cosmos flowers when you feel thankful for them, think they are beautiful, and want to tell them how much you care for them.
This can be on any normal day, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or a birthday.
If they’re having a special event or have invited you over to their home, you can also bring these flowers as a token of thanks and love, along with sweet treats like chocolates, candies, or biscuits.
