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Bleeding Heart and the Doctrine of Signatures

Flower meanings· Gardening· History

7 Mar

Dicentra Spectabilis, more aptly known as Bleeding Heart, is a perfect example of how the Doctrine of Signatures works.

What is the Doctrine of Signatures?

This was a theory, developed in the middle ages, that when a flower or plant resembles a part of the human body it would have healing properties for that organ.  We must not forget that in those days there was no Google to give us instant answers and books were a luxury for the rich, religious and highly educated.  Knowledge was passed on by word of mouth.  In the case of plants, herbalists also formed a connection with the flowers themselves.  Meanings were perceived through contemplation.  People would observe the plants and discern their uses by observing their shapes, colours, textures, scents and places they grow.  For instance, it was believed that walnuts could help problems with the brain, lungwort was good for pulmonary difficulties and eyebright would aid with conjunctivitis.

Researching Herbal Remedies

I love to collect books about flowers and folklore old and new, some even out of print now.  Yet there is scarcely a mention of Bleeding Heart in any of them.  If we were to follow the theory of Doctrine of Signatures we could assume that it was medicine for the heart.  I would be most concerned if someone were to give a patient a medication for heart problems as all components of the plant are poisonous!  This method of treating a patient’s ailments according to the shape of the flower seems very primitive to us now.  Yet I believe that, even in our modern, science-based lives, we have something to learn from the method.  It requires that we slow down and take time to really look at the flower.

Dicentra is commonly known as Bleeding Heart

Today this is a really popular, early-flowering perennial.  People are entranced by the array of hearts that are like pendants along the bowing stalk.  They find them romantic.  It was introduced to Europe in the 1800s and can be found around the world, probably because of its easy-going nature.  It likes well drained, fertile soil.  In cold conditions Dicentra enjoys direct sunlight and in warmer climates it can live in partial shade.  It is not the ease with which it grows that attracts the customers at our nursery though.  They simply enjoy the fact that the petals resemble pink hearts.  The name ‘Bleeding Heart’ is due to the white droplet that appears to be falling from the base of each flower.  Since their introduction all sorts of hybrids have been grown including white flowers, low growing habits and dissected leaves.  Yet the original remains the favourite because of the very clear message of love that emanates from them.

What does Bleeding Heart mean Spiritually?

If we were to observe the flower, in the same way that an herbalist would have done in the middle ages, we would not just be concerned with the heart shaped flower.  We would be most interested in the drop of white petal that falls from it.  While the first impression is of love, the second is of pain or sorrow, perhaps a sense of loss.  We might also take note of how the stems arch over, perhaps reaching out to others.  We might consider how the underground rhizomes spread and connect. I would feel that the message from this flower in one of compassion for others.  It is a plant that reminds us how we can be sensitive and emotional about the world, people and experiences around us. 

The Healing Message of Bleeding Heart

I would describe this as a plant for someone who has suffered and needs love.  Perhaps it is a plant that reminds us how important compassion and empathy is?  Having said that, it might also be a flower that reminds us not to give too freely of our emotions.  Sometimes it is good to be sensitive about other people’s feelings but if that sensitivity affects how we feel and live our lives it can cripple us.  I would suggest that it is a plant to remind you to save your affections for someone who really appreciates you.

 

You may find these words hard to believe or understand.  However, can you explain the relief you feel when you see the first snowdrop, the joy of a bluebell wood or the love of a rose?  There is no denying that each of us feels a connection with flowers in one way or another. If you want to explore why and how to connect to flowers then I have written this Ebook guide all about it.

you can download it for free here.

I hope you enjoy it!

Ruth Goudy

The Flower Writer

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Hello

My name is Ruth Goudy.
I am a professional garden writer and speaker. I have run a nursery and garden centre for twenty years with my husband and this inspires me to share the joy I feel when I am around nature and flowers. I am on social media and Youtube and would love you to follow me. I believe flowers are good for our wellbeing and the more people that are involved in the conversation about it the better!
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Download my free ebook ‘How to connect with the Flowers’ here.

You will also receive newsletters so that you are the first to hear about talks and events, are notified when I publish flower blogs or YouTube videos and find out what is going on in the world of plants and horticulture.

ebook

You will receive an email with a link to download my ebook in your welcome email.

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Dicentra here demonstrating why it is commonly kno Dicentra here demonstrating why it is commonly known as 'bleeding heart'. The white one is rather pretty too (pic 2) and I think it should be called 'pure heart'. 
Turn both upside down and I think they.look like ladies in crinolines!
#springflowers #perennials #bleedingheart #dicentra
@lexi_floral_fanatic and I had the most wonderful @lexi_floral_fanatic and I had the most wonderful live on Instagram yesterday. Genuine fun showing her around @kilnfarmnursery and then making these hanging baskets. Thank you to everyone who joined us. You can catch up on Lexi's page. Pic 2 is our baskets. We tried to be creative and put all sorts of flowers we like  that can be transferred into the garden later. Pic 3 is the mess we made in the process! 
For those of you who don't know Lexi yet she is a gardening blogger and friend from the Garden Media Guild. She is also a disability campaigner who is open about living with MS. She is determined to make the most of all she can do. She volunteers at the World Garden and is an absolute ray of sunshine.
#gardening #blogger #disability #positivity #MS #fun #hangingbaskets #spring
Looking forward to "Live with Lexi" later this mor Looking forward to "Live with Lexi" later this morning @kilnfarmnursery @lexi_floral_fanatic when I shall be giving her a tour of our growing area, lots of signs of spring and maybe a few lambs 🐑
Good morning little speedwell. Traditionally used Good morning little speedwell.
Traditionally used as a symbol of good luck and to speed people on their journey . . . So here is one I found to wish you a good week. 
#mondaymotivation #wildflower #flowermeanings #folklore
The carpet of tiny saxifraga flowers look just as The carpet of tiny saxifraga flowers look just as good close up.
Good morning! These flowers were a gift and every Good morning! 
These flowers were a gift and every morning as I make myself a cuppa in the kitchen they give me a little lift to start the day.
I think of Gerbera as 'smiley' flowers. 
Symmetry in nature has been proved to increase our mental wellbeing so no wonder they make me smile.
#gerbera #flowers #flowerpower #wellbeing
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Download my free ebook ‘How to connect with the Flowers’

You will also receive newsletters so that you are the first to hear about talks and events, are notified when I publish flower blogs or YouTube videos and find out what is going on in the world of plants and horticulture.

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You will receive an email with a link to download my ebook in your welcome email.