Rare beauty, love, refinement, beautiful lady.
Orchid-from the Greek 'orchis', meaning 'testicle'-is a natural symbol of sexuality and procreation, especially among those who choose it as a tattoo design. But the more traditional associations of the orchid are love, luxury, beauty and strength.
The 'Orchidaceae' family is certainly prolific, with 25,000 different species growing on every continent except Antarctica, from sea level to three miles high. Most of them thrive in the tropics. Once thought to be parasites living off other plants, orchids are in fact 'epiphytes', meaning that they grow on top of other plants. As if that's not sophisticated enough, the orchid seed, to germinate, must be penetrated by threads of fungus. Little wonder that this high maintenance flower is not only expensive to buy, but comes laden with symbolic associations.
Unlike other flowers that have served humanity in many useful ways, the orchid seems to be a flower whose reputation lies entirely in its symbolism. Rare and pure of color, it has simply represented perfection for hundreds of years.
For centuries, the orchid has been a status symbol implying wealth, even greed. In the 1800s, orchids were so highly coveted that collectors dispatched adventurers to the ends of the earth to gather ever rarer specimens in the wild. While the flower's beauty inspired the emotion behind the obsession, it was the status the orchid brought its owner that may have been even more intoxicating.
Ancient Greeks associated orchids with virility and strength. They believed that the sex of their unborn child could be influenced by ingesting orchid roots. If the father ate large ones, the child would be male, and if the mother consumed small tubers, a girl would be born. It's hard to imagine such a superstition surviving very long with its integrity intact. But the orchid's more conventional associations have survived to this day.
The orchid has been a symbol of beauty and luxury because it has always been rare and expensive. The gift of an orchid was considered the most special floral gift, and was the most impressive bouquet at the weddings of the social, political and economic elites. Today, the price of an orchid may be within reach of most people, but it still carries its rare and exotic mystique. And what's rare and delicate is also considered beautiful, especially if the wealthy desired it with such passion.
Whatever the colour of the orchid, it's purity conveys messages of love, beauty, wisdom and thoughtfulness. In China, the orchid speaks of the innocence of children, and of refinement. A pink orchid is synonymous with affection, and is the appropriate 14th wedding anniversary flower. The natural choice for Mother's Day is the 'cattalya' variety, because it symbolizes mature charm.
Rose, Lotus Flower, Lily, Cherry Blossom.
Below you will find a gallery of inspirational images that will help you in your quest of creating the perfect Orchid tattoo.
Also Check out: Daisy, Chrysanthemum, Lily, Cherry Blossom, Jasmine, Lotus Flower, Water Lily, Orchids, Peonies, Sunflowers, Flower & Plant Tattoo Index and Tattoos for Girls.
