Imagine an ancient legend from China:
Thousands of years ago, Emperor Qin Shi Huang sought the elixir of eternal life. A wise sage revealed that a golden flower, infused in rice wine (jiu), could extend existence. That flower? The chrysanthemum, a symbol of longevity and rejuvenation. Drink it on the ninth day of the ninth month, and vitality will surge within you.
Yet, in France, this same flower evokes mourning, the cold November cemeteries, and the graves adorned for All Saints’ Day. How can a single flower carry such contradictions?
Join me in exploring the world of chrysanthemums, these autumnal queens that shift from death to joy depending on the culture. If you’re curious about the meaning of chrysanthemums for All Saints’ Day in France or their traditions elsewhere in the world, this article will reveal why this often-misunderstood flower deserves a fresh look—especially as November 1st approaches.
How did chrysanthemums become a symbol of mourning?
In France, All Saints’ Day is synonymous with chrysanthemums and funeral traditions. Each year, millions of colorful pots flood markets and cemeteries, transforming gray pathways into vibrant floral carpets. This custom of using chrysanthemums to honor the deceased during All Saints’ Day dates back to the 19th century but became deeply rooted after World War I.
In 1918, to commemorate the Armistice, the French government ordered chrysanthemums to adorn the graves of soldiers who fell on the front lines. Their late autumn bloom made them the perfect choice for honoring the dead in November.
This shift toward mourning is not unique: recall the cornflowers and poppies, those other flowers of remembrance from World War I, symbols of sacrifice and resilience in the trenches. Chrysanthemums joined this floral procession, becoming inseparable from collective grief.
Briefly, let’s note that these flowers, native to Asia—cultivated in China for over 2,500 years and introduced to Europe in the 17th century via the Netherlands—traveled far to find their place in our autumnal funeral rites.
Chrysanthemums also symbolize joy!
What makes chrysanthemums so fascinating is their cultural duality and varied symbolism across countries. In France and Western Europe (like Belgium, Austria, Italy, or Spain), they embody death, memory, and mourning. Offering a chrysanthemum to a living person? An unforgivable social blunder, instantly evoking funerals and the funerary significance of chrysanthemums in Europe. In Poland, for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 2, cemeteries transform into seas of chrysanthemums, symbolizing national unity in grief.
Elsewhere, the meaning shifts dramatically. In Asia—Japan, China, Korea—chrysanthemums represent joy, longevity, and happiness. In Japan, they are the imperial emblem, celebrated during the Kiku no Sekku on September 9, a festival dedicated to health and vitality. In China, the legend of chrysanthemums and infused wine persists, and while white chrysanthemums may signify mourning, the flower as a whole remains positive, tied to rejuvenation and longevity. In Anglo-Saxon countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, or Australia, they evoke optimism, love, and joy—offered for births or Mother’s Day. In Singapore or Southeast Asia, they lean toward grief, but globally, this European flower of mourning shines in a very different light under other skies.
The Meaning of Chrysanthemum Colors: A Practical Guide
The colors of chrysanthemums add depth to their symbolism, making their use even more nuanced for All Saints’ Day or other occasions. White, pure and loyal, represents truth and purity in both the West and Asia—ideal for respectful funeral arrangements.
Red speaks of passionate love, perfect for romantic declarations far removed from mourning, and is often avoided in All Saints’ Day contexts in France. Yellow, a symbol of spurned love or radiant joy, brings an optimistic touch, but in France, it’s best avoided on graves to respect tradition.
Purple evokes melancholy and reflection, while pink conveys subtle tenderness. These shades allow for personalized messages: a mixed bouquet for All Saints’ Day in France honors the deceased with respect, but elsewhere, it might celebrate life and longevity, as in the Chinese chrysanthemum legend.
Chrysanthemum Traditions for All Saints’ Day
All Saints’ Day traditions amplify the cultural richness of chrysanthemums. In France, November 1 is a family ritual: school holidays, cemetery visits, and the laying of multicolored chrysanthemums to commemorate ancestors. It’s a moment of reflection, where the flower’s resilience against autumn’s chill symbolizes eternity and immortality.
Elsewhere in Europe, similar practices prevail: in Italy and Spain, chrysanthemums embody renewal after death. Compare this to Mexico’s Day of the Dead, where vibrant orange marigolds guide souls—you can read about this in my article on marigolds, symbols of the Day of the Dead—a subtle link to other funerary flowers, showing how each culture chooses its petals to commune with the afterlife and honor ancestral traditions.
In conclusion, chrysanthemums teach us the relativity of symbols: a flower of grief and mourning for All Saints’ Day in France, it radiates joy in Asia and optimism elsewhere.
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