Peony Flower Meaning: Decoding The Symbolism Behind These Stunners

Did you ever wonder what peonies symbolize? With such stunning blossoms, we can correctly assume there is some ancient peony flower meaning ascribed to them. Classic garden flowers that evoke old-fashioned elegance, peonies are a harbinger of summer that bloom in late spring, their flowers lasting only a precious week or two. But when the bush is in flower, the effect for anyone who grows peonies is stunning.

While we can admire their gorgeous hues and textures, there is an impressive backstory to these blowsy blooms which is also worth considering. They have an interesting history and, not surprisingly, peony symbolism goes well beyond its beauty. Read on to find out more about some of the mythology behind the peony.

What Do Peonies Symbolize?

There are four main types of peonies: tree, herbaceous, hybrid, and intersectional. The latter is a cross between tree and herbaceous varieties. Native to Asia, Southern Europe and North America, peonies in one form or another have been cultivated for centuries. Tree peonies, in particular, have connections with Far Eastern dynasties and were highly prized by royals. The plants were first cultivated in China and used in medicine. Known as “the king of flowers” they were closely associated with royalty.

Peonies 2,000 years ago were primarily grown for their medicinal tubers. These were used to treat stomach pain, night sweats and sores. The root of the tree peony was used to cool and move blood, while the herbaceous tuber increased the energy of the blood. The bark, seeds and flowers also treated various ailments. The Chinese name for the peony is mudan, which translates to ‘red’, but can also mean ‘medicine’ or ‘healing’.

Historical Peony Cultivation

Initially grown as a medicine, the plant’s unparalleled beauty soon found it a place in formal gardens. The tree peony was grown for its flowers in the 6th and 7th centuries. In the Sui and Tang dynasties, it had a prominent place in the royal gardens. It is often called luoyang hua, after the city of Luoyang where it was thought to be grown first as an ornamental.

Extensive breeding led to 30 different cultivars by the 16th century. The flower became a symbol of wealth and elevated sums were paid for certain species. Today, exhibitions of the plants are still commonplace in Luoyang.

The European Peony Craze

Around the early 1800s, peonies were imported to Europe from China. France started the breeding trend and the hobby soon spread across Europe. In Europe the plant was known as the rose with no thorns. By the 1850s, the plant had spread to North America. Breeders focused on producing plants for the cut flower industry. Eventually, the bushes became popular landscape plants. In 1950, there were 90 North American peony breeders in the American Peony Society.

Modern Peony Flower Meaning

The floral industry is big business and has made it a practice to assign meanings to various flowers in an effort to market them for certain special occasions. Peony meaning, according to the industry, has variously come to encapsulate honor, prosperity, happy marriage, wealth, romance, bashfulness, happiness and good fortune, depending on hue, petal texture and breeding intention. The flower often makes its way into bridal bouquets and assorted flower arrangements.

Chinese Fable of the Peony

The peony plant’s popularity over the centuries has led to it being featured in poems, plays and other art forms. A classic fable, The Fabulous Peony, sees the wicked Empress Wu Zetian decreeing that all peonies in the garden would bloom overnight. The Male Vermillion Peony refused this order and was banished from the palace. The Empress stated that anyone growing this peony would be put to death. But the imperial gardener, Pei Fu, sent the roots of the plant to Luoyang. Secret gardens cultivated the plant until the Empress’s death, when the plant came out of hiding and was celebrated.

Peony Symbolism Throughout History

Various species of peony symbolize different things, depending on place and circumstance. The vermillion male flower of the tree peony, for instance, represented aristocracy and royalty. In China today, the flower symbolizes friendship, good luck and feminine beauty. It is also the official flower to celebrate 12 years of marriage.

The tree peony is one of the four flowers that represent the seasons. Appropriately enough, given when the peony is in season, it symbolizes the spring. In Japan, the flower represents good fortune, bravery, honor and wealth, and has a decided masculine presence.

Historically, the plant was often displayed in palaces and depicted in art. It was found in silk textiles, china plates, murals, and more. When combined with a phoenix, lion, pheasant or peacock, the peony reference reflects splendor, nobility and status. In floral arrangements, when combined with narcissus, the peony’s meaning is long life, wealth and honor.

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