Widely revered as one of the easiest flowers you can grow, the cosmos flower can be planted just about anywhere – you’ll likely see blossoms sprouting up in no time.
However, just because cosmos are simple to grow, that doesn’t mean that they are simple in meaning. Here are some of the many meanings of this delicate flower.
What Does Cosmos Mean?
The word “cosmos” is a name given to the flower by Spanish priests who originally grew the flowers during their missions abroad. They were blown away by the flower’s petals, which are quite stately and evenly placed. As a result, they gave the flower the name “cosmos” to symbolize its order and harmony with the rest of the universe.
This is a direct derivative of the Greek word “kosmos,” which means world order. Greeks thought that the natural world existed in perfect harmony.
What Do Cosmos Symbolize?
Cosmos flowers are often used to symbolize order and harmony, due largely to the flower’s harmonious petals. However, the flower can also be viewed as symbolizing tranquility, peace, innocence, and love.
The scent and bright color of the flower is the most common reason why the flower is viewed to symbolize peace and wholeness.
Other meanings include modesty, balance, beauty, and joy. The meaning of this flower changes ever so slightly with its color. Interestingly, some people believe that cosmos flowers can symbolize people who have a hard time public speaking or otherwise expressing their thoughts.
When Should You Give Someone a Cosmos?
Cosmos are the perfect flowers to give to a romantic partner or lover. They often represent the idea of walking hand in hand together. They can also symbolize all of the joys that life, and particularly love, can bring.
Cosmos flowers are both beautiful and ornamental. Grown as traditional cottage garden plants, they make beautiful cut flowers. As the birth flower for the month of October, cosmos flowers are often used as gifts for people with birthdays in this month. The cosmos flower is also the second wedding anniversary flower, too. 😉