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Snowdrops on Candlemas Day

Flower meanings· Folklore· History

2 Feb

“The snowdrop, in purest white array, first rears her head on Candlemas Day.”

Snowdrops are known as Candlemas Bells

Candlemas day is 2nd February and it is true that it was this weekend that I first saw a carpet of snowdrops.  One of their common names is Candlemas Bells.  They are usually the first flower that we see in the New Year.  Technically there are others, but it is the snowdrop that seems to resonate.  For many of us it means hope.  It is the sign of new growth and new beginnings.  It is the promise of spring and that this tiny flower is surviving despite the cold and the dark.  Snowdrops bring a lift in spirits.

Snowdrops and Snow

One of the earliest legends of the snowdrop is when the first winter was on the earth and Eve was pining for the beautiful flowers of the fields.  An Angel caught a flake of driving snow, breathed life into it and transformed it into a flower for her.  It was said to break the spell of winter and, at the same time, offer divine mercy.

Literally translated ‘Galanthus Nivalis’ means milky white flowers of the snow.  They originated from alpine regions of China, Greece and Turkey hence their endurance of the cold weather.  The French know Snowdrops as ‘Perce-neige’ meaning snow piercers and we can sometimes have both the cold snow on the ground and the snowdrops flowering simultaneously symbolising both the winter and the potential of spring.

Meanings of Snowdrops

Snowdrops were gathered at Candlemas to decorate Churches in this country before the reformation.  They were symbols of purity, which was connected to the rite of purification that Mary observed by going to the temple forty days after Christmas.  However, it was considered unlucky to pick snowdrops before Candlemas.  Rather than hope or purity, they became a representation of death or mourning.  The white outer sepals were considered to be like a shroud and by bringing them indoors snowdrops may invoke a parting or death.  I choose not to pick them because they are wildflowers anyway but why tempt fate?  I much prefer to see them outside.  On a snowy, dull, cold or wet day, there is nothing as reviving as seeing clumps of snowdrops nodding their heads in acknowledgement of the season to come.

Ruth Goudy – The Flower Writer

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« The Folklore of Christmas Holly
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Comments

  1. Martin and Elaine Hearne says

    February 8, 2022 at 12:44 pm

    A very charming article about these beautiful little flowers. I was not aware that they were known as Candlemas Bells, but it is a lovely name for them.

    Reply
    • Ruth Goudy says

      March 7, 2022 at 8:08 pm

      Thank you for taking time to read this. I glad you enjoyed the piece.

      Reply

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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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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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