The honeysuckle is a favorite shrub in many gardens, much loved by bees, hummingbirds, and humans alike for its sweet scent and nectar. If you’ve ever wondered whether these hardy, yet beautiful creeping plants, with their pink, yellow, white, or red flowers, have any special meaning, we have all the details for you.
Honeysuckle flowers have many positive symbolic references, including love, joy, nostalgia for old flames and first loves. The sweet scent is said to induce dreams of passion and love. The honeysuckle is often planted near the home to attract happiness and good energy and ward off evil spirits.
Now that you have the short answer to the meaning and symbolism of the honeysuckle plant, are you curious to know more? Read on as we look at everything that a honeysuckle plant signifies.
What Do Honeysuckle Flowers Symbolize?
The sweetness of the nectar of the honeysuckle ties in with general sweetness and positivity, while its hardy nature speaks to devotion, resilience, and everlasting love.
It symbolizes joy and nostalgia, with strong references to devotion and affection. It reminds us of the sweetness of new love and the precious memories of first loves and old flames. We’ve all been there – that joy and excitement of a being in love, especially first love.
Often, the honeysuckle is planted near the home, evoking nostalgia and in memory of the special people who have gone before us. The honeysuckle is planted to attract happiness and good energy in our lives. It is also said that the fragrance will induce dreams of passion and love.
In terms of numerology, the honeysuckle flower has the characteristics of the number 3, which relates to happiness and the joy of life, verbalization and expression.
What Do The Different Colors Of Honeysuckle Flowers Symbolize?
You’ll find the honeysuckle flower in a variety of colors. When we look at what the different shades of honeysuckle flowers symbolize, we look at the traditional symbolism of colors in the flower world and the overall positive connotations of the honeysuckle plant.
- Yellow flowers represent friendship and trust.
- Pink flowers speak to playfulness, innocence and romance.
- Red flowers symbolize romance – the special love of your life.
- White flowers symbolize innocence and purity
The Honeysuckle In Mythology
According to Greek mythology, the lovers, Daphnis and Chloe, could only ever see each other while the honeysuckle was in bloom. To remedy this, Daphnis asked Eros, the god of love, to allow the plant to bloom for longer than just one season. And this is why, as legend has it, the honeysuckle blooms all the way through warm weather.
Do Honeysuckle Flowers Have Any Cultural Significance?
When we look at the cultural significance of the honeysuckle, it is interesting to note that the plant has similar joyful references all over the world.
It is no surprise that with its sweet nectar and its creeping vines, the ancient druids used honeysuckle as one of the letters of the Ogham alphabet. It was a symbol for attracting sweet energy, as well as holding steadfast to your path.
In Victorian times, honeysuckle was a common symbol of love and affection due to its appearance and sweet scent and the way the vine clings to everything around it.
In France, the honeysuckle represented fidelity, love, and spiritual vision. In China, the honeysuckle was treated as a healing herb for removing toxins and bringing feelings of comfort.
In Scotland, it is believed that growing honeysuckle brings luck and serves as a protection from evil. In fact, they were traditionally hung on barns to protect the resident cattle from being bewitched.
In many countries, it was believed that If you wanted to experience the joy of wedding bells, bringing honeysuckle blooms into the house would ensure a wedding within the year.
What Is The Origin Of The Name “Honeysuckle”?
The common name “honeysuckle” comes from the non-toxic, sweet nectar contained in the honeysuckle’s tubular flowers.
Its biological name is Lonicera. It was named in honor of Adam Lonicer, the German botanist. During the renaissance, he published many significant findings on herbs.
When Should Honeysuckle Be Gifted?
While you won’t generally find honeysuckles as cut flowers, with all of their positive connotations, the honeysuckle plant is a wonderful gift for anyone as a symbol of love, luck, good wishes.
It is also the birthflower for June, which is also when the plant is at its best. So, if a particular person in your life is celebrating a June birthday, a honeysuckle plant is the perfect gift. Every time they smell its sweet scent, they will be reminded of you.
Are There Any Literary References To Honeysuckle Flowers?
There are several symbolic references to honeysuckle in art as well as literature:
- In her book “Chevrefoil”, Marie de France used honeysuckle and hazel to represent ill-fated lovers.
- In another literary reference, the poet Robert Frost mentioned honeysuckle in “To Earthwood” as a symbol of deep love.
- William, Faulkner used honeysuckle to signify sexuality in “The Sound And The Fury”.
- The Baroque artist, Rubens, painted “The Honeysuckle Bower” to honor his marriage to Isabella Brant. In this painting, they sit in a honeysuckle bower, symbolizing their eternal love for each other.
Do Honeysuckle Flowers Have Any Medicinal Use?
The honeysuckle has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years.
It is used for numerous ailments, including sores, fevers, and infectious diseases, as traditional Chinese medicine. In addition, honey-like nectar has been used in many cough remedies. It also serves as a natural antibiotic and to treat asthma symptoms. A honeysuckle infusion can be also be used as a disinfectant.
A warning: while the nectar is safe for consumption, the berries can be toxic and should be avoided.
Conclusion
The honeysuckle is a beautiful plant with loads of positive symbolic references. It has connections to joy, love, luck, and protection from evil. These positive connotations, together with their sweet scent and hardy nature, will not only bring you good energy but will also attract bees, butterflies and birds to your garden.
