Flowers have long been used as symbols and representations of various traits and characteristics. Throughout history, certain flowers have come to be associated with strong, powerful women due to their symbolism, meaning, or appearance. Choosing a flower that represents strength and resilience can be a meaningful gift for the special strong woman in your life. This article will explore some of the flowers that over time have come to signify female strength, courage, independence, and perseverance. We’ll look at the historical and cultural significance behind these flowers, what attributes make them fitting symbols for strong women, and examples of how they can be given as feminist gifts and gestures.
Lilies
One of the most classic flowers associated with strong women is the lily. In ancient Greek myth, lilies were closely tied to Hera, queen of the gods and goddess of women, marriage, and fertility. She was considered a powerful, commanding female figure. Lilies became symbols of nobility, virtue, and dignity. White lilies especially came to represent majesty and honor. Today, the lily continues to be associated with grace, prosperity, and feminine strength. They make striking feminist gifts.
Attributes that connect lilies with strong women
- Tall, elegant appearance
- Perseverance – lilies can grow in challenging conditions
- Beauty and purity
- Sweet fragrance
Giving lilies shows admiration for a woman who carries herself with poise and determination. The vibrant blooms are fitting for powerful women who exude beauty inside and out.
Roses
Roses have intricate symbolic meanings tied to femininity, love, and strength. In tarot, roses represent balance, wisdom, hope, and promise. The “Scarlet Woman” is a Kabbalah figure who wears a crown of roses, immune to earthly temptation and living only for divine purpose. Rose colors add more meaning:
- Red roses convey passion, confidence, courage
- White roses evoke grace, purity, reverence
- Black roses signify rebelliousness, independence, mystery
A bouquet of dark roses can make a bold statement for defying expectations. Single stems given individually are thoughtful gestures for each admirable quality in a strong woman you know.
Iris
In Greek mythology, Iris was the messenger who traveled between gods and mortals by leaving the rainbow in her wake. Irises earned the nickname “sword lilies” for their straight, upright shapes reminiscent of blades. Bearded irises represent wisdom, faith, valor, and female strength. Their ruffled, vibrant colors have royal connotations – a fitting flower for powerful women.
Meanings associated with irises:
- Wisdom
- Courage
- Faith
- Passion
- Hope
Irises are inspired choices for feminist gifts or occasions honoring bold, badass women. Combine blue and purple bearded irises to convey wisdom and strength.
Dahlias
Dahlias feature full, bountiful blooms that evoke ideas of inner strength. They originated in Mexico and were prized by Aztec healers for purported powers. Today, dahlias symbolize dignity, elegance, change and inner strength. Two-toned varieties especially represent unity between feminine and masculine energies – appropriate for confident women embracing their wholeness.
Dahlia color meanings:
- Pink – kindness, grace
- Red – power, strength
- Orange – pride, creativity
- White – purity, enlightenment
- Purple – wisdom, spirituality
Give a woman dahlias showing the qualities you admire in her. Multi-colored arrangements represent well-rounded female strength.
Gladioli
The gladiolus flower spikes earned the nickname “sword lily” for their straight, upright shape resembling blades. Their Latin name translates to “sword” as well. The gladiolus has symbolized honor, moral integrity, infatuation, and feminine strength. Cream or white gladiolus beautifully convey grace and calm poise.
Gladiolus flower meanings:
- Strength of character
- Moral integrity
- Infatuation
- Triumph
- Faithfulness
Gladiolus arrangements make striking gifts for events honoring strong, upstanding women who stick to their principles. They embody admirable feminine qualities.
Sunflowers
Bright, vibrant sunflowers evoke warmth, positivity, happiness, and strength. In Native American culture, sunflowers represented harvest, bounty, and provision due to their hardy, fast-growing nature. Sunflowers follow daylight across the sky, symbolizing spiritual faith and unwavering conviction. They represent noble intentions and motivations to do right. Give sunflowers to praise a woman’s perseverance through trials.
Sunflower symbolic meanings:
- Longevity and bounty
- Adoration and dedication
- Nobility
- Optimism and positivity
- Strength and resilience
A sunflower’s uplifting yellow hue and sturdy stem make it a flower that reflects power and hope. It’s a thoughtful choice for encouraging the strong women in your life.
Birds of Paradise
Bird of paradise flowers feature vivid tropical colors and a unique silhouette resembling a bird’s beak and plume. In fact, their name comes from 18th century British voyagers who thought the flowers resembled exotic jungle birds. Today, birds of paradise symbolize joyfulness, magnificence, exciting adventure, and perseverance through trying conditions to reach new heights. They celebrate vibrant femininity.
Bird of paradise flower meanings:
- Uniqueness
- Excellence
- Magnificence
- Progress and growth
- Resilience and perseverance
Give exotic birds of paradise to honor trailblazing, visionary women who inspire you. Let them represent celebrating the path less traveled.
Lotus
The lotus flower holds rich meaning in various Asian cultures. The lotus begins as a stem peeking up from mud, yet blossoms into a gorgeous bloom despite dirty conditions. It has come to symbolize growth, rebirth, rising above hardship, spiritual awakening and strength. Lotus artwork often depicts strong female figures holding or surrounded by lotus flowers.
Lotus flower symbolic meanings:
- Growth amid adversity
- Overcoming hardship
- Spiritual achievement
- Feminine mystique and power
- New beginnings
Lotus flowers given as gifts elegantly praise women who persevere through trials to bloom even brighter. The meaning makes lotuses especially inspiring for strong females.
Cacti and Succulents
Various cacti and succulents represent themes of resilience, protection, determination, and thriving in harsh conditions. Their ability to store water helps them endure drought and heat. Sharp spines ward off threats. These symbolic traits have long connected cacti with strong female spirits and goddesses of protection in native cultures. Cactus plants make thoughtful living gifts for resilient women.
Cactus symbolic meanings:
- Endurance and resilience
- Protection
- Resourcefulness
- Determination and perseverance
- Thriving in adversity
Prickly cacti showcase a strong woman’s ability to stand tall in her convictions and withstand the heat. Succulents represent softer feminine strength and adaptability.
Carnations
Carnations are one of the most popular cut flowers, prized for their ruffled blooms and wide range of colors. While striped carnations represent refusal or regret, bold red carnations symbolize pride, affection, and female strength. They became an emblem of Mother’s Day. Carnations given as gifts convey deep love, admiration and praise.
Carnation meanings:
- Pride
- Beauty
- Motherly love
- Affection
- Fascination
Red carnations with their full, lush blooms aptly represent feminine power and vibrancy. Give them in bouquets or arrangements to applaud the strong women who inspire you.
Conclusion
Flowers that symbolize female tenacity, wisdom, dignity, and courage make meaningful gifts for the strong women to be appreciated and admired. Lilies, roses, irises, dahlias, gladiolus, sunflowers, exotic birds of paradise, the lotus, cacti and succulents, and red carnations are among the botanical choices that convey respect for feminine power and inner strength. Giving floral tributes shows gratitude for all the resilient women who bloom despite trials and thrive while staying true to themselves. Whatever her unique attributes, there is a fitting flower to celebrate the phenomenal women in your life.