In the modern world, carnations have long become an integral part of mourning ceremonies and commemorative dates. However, the flower’s journey to its status as a symbol of remembrance and grief was long and eventful. Back in the 19th century, Russians viewed the carnation quite differently: it represented passion, sensuality, and nobility. In Dmitry Oznobishin’s 1830 book “Selam, or The Language of Flowers,” the carnation symbolized yearning love, not sorrow. Red was associated with life, not loss. Only aloe and the color black were linked to mourning and death.
The tradition of bringing flowers to graves dates back to ancient civilizations. Egyptians decorated tombs with flowers, Greeks wove wreaths of roses and myrtle for the deceased, and in Christianity, flowers became a symbol of eternal life and hope for resurrection. According to legend, red carnations first appeared from the tears of the Virgin Mary, which is why they were taken to cemeteries during Easter and religious holidays.
Symbolic origins
In ancient times, the carnation already held special significance. The Greek botanist Theophrastus called it the “divine flower,” and carnations often adorned the altars of gods as well as the graves of fallen warriors. In this context, the flower symbolized not only love but also life and respect for the memory of those who had passed away.
In the Middle Ages, the meaning of the carnation changed. It became a symbol of sacrifice and suffering, which was reflected in Renaissance art. In the famous painting “Madonna of the Carnation” (Madonna mit der Nelke), the carnation in the Virgin Mary’s hand points to Christ’s future suffering. Gradually, this flower began to be associated with remembrance of the fallen and with mourning.
Carnations and revolutions
In France, the carnation gained special significance during the revolutions. Red carnations became a symbol of courage and resilience; they were given to soldiers heading off to war. French women put their hopes for their loved ones’ return and their faith in their strength into these bouquets. In Russia, until the early 20th century, the carnation remained a secular flower, but the revolutionary events of 1905 and especially the Great Patriotic War changed its perception. The carnation became a symbol of bravery, remembrance of the fallen, and an integral part of Victory Day.
In Portugal, the red carnation became a symbol of freedom and hope after the events of April 25, 1974, known as the Carnation Revolution (Revolução dos Cravos). People took to the streets with bouquets of carnations, placing them in the barrels of rifles, which became an emblem of peaceful change and a new era for the country.
Funeral flowers in culture
The carnation is not the only flower used to express grief. Funeral arrangements often include white chrysanthemums, red and scarlet roses, gypsophila, asters, and calla lilies. Chrysanthemums traditionally symbolize the bitterness of loss, poppies are an ancient sign of sleep and death, and in some countries, lilies express faith in the immortality of the soul.
Nevertheless, it is the carnation that has absorbed the legacy of many eras and cultures, becoming a universal symbol not only of sorrow and loss, but also of the strength of love, remembrance, and life. Its history is one of change, struggle, and hope, reflected in the traditions of different peoples.
