Narcissus Flower Meaning And Symbol Facts Explained!

Ritwik Bhuyan
Mar 02, 2023 By Ritwik Bhuyan
Originally Published on Mar 02, 2023
Fact-checked by Spandana Kantam
Blooming white and yellow Narcissus Flowers

Narcissus flowers are the same as daffodils.

The name of the flower is taken from the Greek language, and the name was linked to the plant thousands of years ago. The name from Greek mythology, narcissus, is both the scientific name and the common name for the plant.

The name Narcissus is shared with 50 different flower plants. Daffodils are one of them. The term 'Narcissus' is taken from a Greek word meaning 'numbness'.

The name is also linked to the mythology surrounding Narcissus. Narcissus was a young man born to a nymph and a river god. He fell in love with his reflection. As narcissus flowers are almost the same as daffodils, the meaning of both the flowers is similar too.

Narcissus flowers show the symbolism of prosperity and wealth. It also has the symbolism of rebirth and the arrival of spring. The flowers symbolize good luck, happiness, clarity, misfortune, and inspiration in some cultures.

Narcissus flowers also represent many different events. They are the embodiment and symbolism of the Lenten season and also the new beginnings of the Chinese New Year. The flowers can also symbolize that a person is into themselves too much.

They can even be considered flowers of egoists sometimes. Narcissus flowers are found in primary colors of orange, yellow, and white. The meaning of the flower associated with the different colors is unknown.

However, they can symbolize anything from rebirth and purity to wealth and luck. Narcissus flowers come in bright and sunny colors. They are encouraging and charming even on cold winter mornings and nights.

What does the narcissus flower symbolize?

The flower called narcissus doesn't need a lot of care. This is why people consider the flower a symbol of rebirth and fertility. Since the flower is seen as abundant during the spring season, narcissus flower is also said to depict spring arrival symbolism. The flower symbolizes prosperity, optimism, and positive outcome.

Narcissus flower has six similarly-sized petals. Many cultures consider the flower to be the representation of the goddess Venus as the goddess controls number six. The flower also represents the Sun because of its bright yellow color. The beautiful scent of these flowers is often used to create perfumes. The smell is said to be exciting and fresh.

Narcissus flower is an excellent gift to give to all those bright and optimistic people in our lives. These flowers can be given to a self-absorbed, ambitious, and persistent person as well as this flower stands for these characteristics. You can also share this flower with someone who thinks they are above everyone. These flowers are beautiful upon bloom.

The cheerful white and bright yellow colors of daffodils are considered to be a symbol of positivity. Daffodils are considered happy flowers that represent happiness and life. Although daffodil flower comes in different colors, the white and yellow colors are famous worldwide.

Narcissus flower also symbolizes efficient performance of tasks, wealth, and success in a private and business plan. It also symbolizes good luck. Many people believe that the flower brings out the worst and best in people. It all depends on the personality and the characteristics of the person.

Narcissus flower is a symbol of new year in Kurdish culture. As these flowers are one of the first flowers to bud and bloom in the spring season, the Chinese consider the flower a symbol of Chinese New Year.

Why did Narcissus turn into a flower?

The bright color and bold attitude of the narcissus flower have always turned heads worldwide. All these narcissus flowers come from the family Amaryllidaceae and bloom in the spring season. The bright yellow or white color of the flower always brings out a contrast in a green field. The flowers are symbols of pride, egotism, confidence, and beauty.

Narcissus flower's history is quite unique. There is an old Greek myth where a pretty young man named Narcissus lived. He was the son of a nymph called Liriope and a river god.

As he was gorgeous, Narcissus used to turn heads all the time, and all the girls in the country fell in love with him. However, he didn't enjoy the love of the people. Instead, he used to admire his own great looks. He was so in love with his appearance, and nothing else mattered to him.

Echo, a young nymph, fell madly in love with him. However, Narcissus didn't even notice her. Echo decided to take help from Nemesis, the goddess of revenge.

Nemesis cursed the young man. When young Narcissus returned home from a hunt, he saw a reflection of himself in the water and fell deeply in love with himself. He tried to hug his reflection in the water but couldn't.

He gave up later and lay on the grass due to exhaustion. He died there itself.

When people came to bury his body, Narcissus was not found. Instead, there was a bright yellow flower in the same place where he was lying. The Greeks named the flower in his honor.

Greek mythology doesn't see this flower in good light. It is a symbol of vanity and unrequited love. However, eastern cultures see narcissus flower as a symbol of success, good fortune, and promising business ventures. In China, if you want to motivate someone to have a better life, you can gift them this flower.

Are daffodils and narcissus the same flower?

Daffodils are known to be members of the same genus as narcissus. There needs to be more clarity among researchers and common people regarding their similarities. However, we know that daffodils and narcissus flowers are the same. A narcissus flower blooms and looks the same as a daffodil.

Like many types of lilies, there are also different species of daffodil flowers. There are 50 species of narcissus. These usually come in orange, yellow, and white colors. They also come in pinks, greens, and reds sometimes.

Are narcissus flowers poisonous?

Although the flower looks beautiful, they have a lot of poison in their stems, bulbs, and flowers. Picking these plants can also make your skin itchy due to the reactions with the sap. However, scientists have managed to get some compounds from the bulbs to treat Alzheimer's.

The flower is also made into aromatic compounds to be added to perfumes. It gives a dark green leaf odor with a touch of floral.

If the bulbs are eaten, many cases of illness have been reported. The bulbs are mistaken for onions and garlic but taste bitter and soapy. Ingesting too much can lead to distress and stomach pain due to the poison.

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Sources

https://www.flowermeaning.com/narcissus-flower-meaning/

https://flowermeanings.org/narcissus-flower-meaning/

https://florgeous.com/narcissus-flower-meaning/

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Written by Ritwik Bhuyan

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English

Ritwik Bhuyan picture

Ritwik BhuyanBachelor of Arts specializing in English

A skilled content writer, Ritwik holds a Bachelor's degree in English from Delhi University. He has refined his writing abilities through his past experience at PenVelope and his current role at Kidadl. In addition to his proficiency in writing, Ritwik has pursued his passion for flying by achieving CPL training and becoming a licensed commercial pilot. This diverse skill set highlights his commitment to exploring multiple fields. Ritwik's experience in the aviation industry has provided him with a unique perspective and attention to detail, which he brings to his writing.

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Fact-checked by Spandana Kantam

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Political Science and Sociology

Spandana Kantam picture

Spandana KantamBachelor of Arts specializing in Political Science and Sociology

Spandana holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Acharya Nagarjuna University. She has a passion for writing and enjoys reading crime and thriller novels while listening to RnB music in her free time.

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