Artistic Interpretations with Margaret - Flowers

Welcome to "Artistic Interpretations" with Margaret.   For March's challenge, I ask you to contemplate the hidden and obvious nature of flowers.  Delve into the mystery, mythology, astrology, symbols, and distinct personality of your favorite flower.   Think about why it holds meaning for you.  What would it be like to traverse inside of its petals, what does it say to you in those quiet, contemplative moments…

The Secret Language of Flowers

What's Your Sign - Zodiac Flower signs & Flower Astrology Meanings

And below is a You Tube video I found of "A Bloom a Day" - A Fortune-Telling Birthday Book.  I have it on my bookshelf and really enjoy it.



Did you know that in the Victorian era, flowers held hidden meanings, also knows as "floriograpy"?  Even in medieval times, flowers had specific moral meanings.  Believe it or not, there is a specific flower for every day of the year.

I adore the purple iris.  I was thrilled no end the first time I saw them in their natural habitat - it was a gift of beauty and joy to see them beside a bog garden; dappled with light, huge trees hovering over them,  quite defiant, something so delicate surrounded by the rough and tumble of thick weeds and tall grass.   

The iris was named for the Greek goddess of the rainbow.  Iris was the messenger of the gods and rode the rainbow to and from the Earth in her multi-colored robes.  The iris stands for many things: honesty, devotion, sophistication, sensitivity, loyalty, a bit of passion, and more.  The flour-de-lis is a stylized iris and is the symbol for royalty and a symbol of France. 

Guidance

Faith I found

by the ol' bog garden

wrapped in a lavender gown.

A show-stopper she,

draped across trail's path,

nature's fleur-de-lis, displayed.

Sword-like guards

warned "Just admire",

so I sat and listened

to secrets softly shared

of truth-filled beauty,

promises of love

and spirituals gently sung.

Wisdom comes in many forms

and grateful I'll always be

to have happened upon

this rainbow's drop

beside still waters

of the ol' garden bog.

by Margaret Bednar, originally written June 15, 2013

The garden shed's window is wide open for interpretation.   It is not required it be an entirely new poem - if you would like to take an older poem and rework it to meet this theme, please feel free to do so.  You may use my images, but I encourage you to do so only if you have a connection to the type of flower it is.

Please link your specific post to "Mr. Linky" below and feel free to write to more than one image or about one flower.  As we know, Friday is often a hectic day, so please feel free to submit late and remember, Monday is "Open Link" here in the Garden.   I look forward to your artistic interpretations.