On November 2, we observe All Souls Day, or Undas, a holiday honoring our departed loved ones with the most common offering of flowers. In the Philippines, it is also a time for families to gather and pay their respects to their departed loved ones.
Many people visit cemeteries on this day to leave offerings at the graves of those they have lost or to spend the day reminiscing about the memories they shared.
These offerings can take on a variety of forms, depending on the family’s customs. It may take the form of food, prayers, or rituals. However, the most common type of offering found in nearly every grave is flowers.
Individuals leave flowers on a loved one’s grave for a variety of reasons. The first is to enhance the appearance of their final resting place, and the second is to demonstrate their love, respect, and admiration for the person they have lost.
While the Philippines has a wide variety of flowers, some people are particular about their offering. They occasionally consider the flowers their departed loved ones preferred or the meanings associated with the flower varieties.
The following are some of the more common flowers associated with All Souls Day or Undas and the messages they convey.
Daisies
While daisies come in a variety of colors, white daisies are particularly prevalent on All Souls Day. Daisies, like the color white, are associated with innocence and purity. The former also represents positivity and a cheerful disposition, which may serve as a reminder to the living of their departed loved ones’ personalities.
Chrysanthemums
In some parts of the world, chrysanthemums are regarded as a flower associated with death. As a result, chrysanthemums gained popularity as funeral offerings. However, in Asia, flowers are associated with longevity, fidelity, joy, and optimism. Additionally, its colors symbolize other significant meanings. For example, red chrysanthemums represent intense passion and love, yellow chrysanthemums represent neglected love or sorrow, and white chrysanthemums represent loyalty and honesty.
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Anthuriums
All Souls Day is viewed as a time for people to express their love for those who have died. Anthuriums are another popular flower species on this day due to their distinctive open heart-shaped structure. Due to their shape, anthuriums also symbolize hospitality.
Orchids
While some people choose more common flower varieties for All Souls Day, others opt for more exotic varieties like orchids. Orchids, in general, symbolize unending love. Pink or white orchids are the most frequently used colors for such occasions.
Gladioli
Gladiola is another flower that is popular on All Souls Day. Its name is derived from the Latin word “gladius,” which means sword, owing to the shape of the flower. According to some, gladiators in ancient Rome wore the flowers around their necks during battles to aid them in victory and protect them from death. However, gladioli have additional connotations. Additionally, they symbolize remembrance, sincerity, and integrity.
White Carnations
These flowers were a common feature of Renaissance-era weddings, when couples exchanged them to symbolize their faithfulness. Carnations are also a popular Mother’s Day flower, which makes them an excellent choice for those who guided you through your formative years.
These meanings become even more profound if you choose to place these blooms on the grave of a loved one. The white carnation, with its delicate petals and graceful shape, symbolizes remembrance.
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Pink Carnations
If carnations in general conjure up images of mothers, the pink carnation evokes the mother’s love for her children. After all, these are the flowers said to have sprouted as a result of Mary’s tears during Jesus’ crucifixion.
Pink carnations can also serve as an elegant thank you gift for someone who has made an indelible mark on your life. These enduring blooms are a symbol of both gratitude and remembrance.
Red Roses
The red rose has evolved into an iconic Valentine’s Day flower, frequently paired with chocolate or other gifts. However, there are no rules requiring you to stop purchasing them following the death of a loved one! As a symbol of passionate love, arrange red roses in a stunning bouquet.
Alstroemeria
Are you planning to bring flowers to a close friend? Send them a bouquet of delicate alstroemerias, which represent friendship memories. Additionally, this flower maintains a fresh appearance for up to two weeks. They come in a variety of colors, including white, red, yellow, and pink, paying tribute to the long and colorful life you shared with your friend.
Statice/Sea Lavender
The humble statice frequently fills in the spaces between the bouquet’s main blooms. It accomplishes this, however, with breathtaking results, owing to its dense clusters of vibrant violet flowers.
Cyclamen
With its upswept petals and patterned leaves, the cyclamen is an eye-catching flower. However, it is an appropriate flower for those who have only recently come to terms with the loss of a loved one, or for those who were unable to say their final farewell. Cyclamen flowers are associated with resignation and good-byes.
Peony
Do you have a deceased relative who requested that the family celebrate life rather than mourn their passing? Here is a flower they would have liked. Rather than a somber bloom, the round and fluffy peony is certain to bring a smile to the face of anyone who sees it on a loved one’s grave. The vibrant petals and sweet fragrance of the peony correspond to the flower’s meaning in flower language: healing.
Forget-Me-Not
By its name alone, you can deduce that the flower’s meaning involves memory. Indeed, forget-me-nots are associated with pleasant memories in particular. The forget-me-not plant’s tiny blue flowers form a spiraling curve, making them a cheerful addition to a lush bouquet.
They work well with larger flowers such as peonies and roses. Additionally, you can attempt to locate a bouquet that includes them alongside carnations and place it on the grave of someone who frequently enters your memories. The statice, like white carnations, is a symbol of remembrance.
Individuals are not required to stick to a single flower type on All Souls Day. They can combine underlying messages of various types to create a customized arrangement.
Undas, or All Souls Day, is a unique day when people can commemorate the lives of their departed loved ones. Offering flowers is a common yet solemn way for people to honor those they admire and respect.
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