The romantic heritage of some flowers is relatively easy to trace. For instance, myrtle was sacred to Aphrodite, the mythological Greek goddess of love. In the floral pattern of meaning, it is no surprise, that the flower myrtle symbolizes love.
Biologically, myrtle is the common name for the Myrtaceae, a family of shrubs and trees almost entirely
of tropical regions, characterized by evergreen fragrant leaves containing aromatic volatile oils. Many have showy blossoms. The myrtle flower is associated not only with love and affection, but it signifies joy and happiness. In medieval times, the myrtle was used for bridal garlands. Flowers are inseparable from wedding ceremonies, where they are emblems of fertility as well as decoration. In the past, the bride wore a garland of flowers in her hair, signifying that the reputation of the bride was flawless. The Roman bridegroom wore a wreath of myrtle. The Victorians, with their love of flowers, endowed them with finer shade of meaning. Myrtle in the Victorian era came to be associated with duty, affection, discipline and home. This flower is also the Hebrew emblem of marriage. In the world of superstition, if a person dreams of a myrtle, it is a promise of many lovers and a legacy. If a married person dreams of myrtle, it foretells a second marriage!
The classical myrtle (M. communis) is native to the Mediterranean area. It is a strongly scented bush whose glossy leaves and blue-black berries were made into wreaths for victors in the ancient Olympic games.
The myrtle family is classified in the division Magnoliophyta of the class Magnoliopsida and order Myrtales.
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