Living Arts Originals features nearly 100 articles on all types of symbols and meanings. We also offer additional resources including books, symbolic gifts and related products. Commissions from our affiliates support our efforts to maintain and expand this website.

Iris Flower Meanings
By Kathleen Karlsen, MA and Ning Yeh, Ph.D.
√ Updated: July 1, 2010

Iris Flower Symbolism

The flower symbolism associated with the iris is faith, wisdom, cherished friendship, hope, valor, my compliments, promise in love, wisdom. Irises were used in Mary Gardens. The blade-shaped foliage denotes the sorrows which 'pierced her heart.' The iris is the emblem of both France and Florence, Italy. The fleur-de-lis, one of the most well-known of all symbols, is derived from the shape of the iris flower. The fleur-de-lis is a symbol of the royal family in France and is the state flower of Tennessee.

For more on flower symbolism, try our recommended books from Amazon:
Folklore and Symbolism of Flowers, Plants and Trees
The Language of Flowers: Symbols And Myths
The Language of Flowers
The Meaning of Flowers
Forget-Me-Not: A Floral Treasury Sentiments and Plant Lore from the Language of Flowers

All About the Iris Flower

Iris flowers are a genus with 200-300 flowering varieties. Hence, the name is derived from the Greek word for rainbow. Irises are grown from bulbs or rhizomes and have long, flat leaves. Irises are used extensively in gardens, especially the bearded varieties. Irises are easy to cultivate and propagate. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, cptcv.)

Symbolism of the Iris in Chinese Art

Blessed with the colors of the rainbow and the purest white, the iris has been recognized as the dancing spirit of early summer. Its soft, fluttering petals remind the Chinese people of butterfly wings, flapping gently in the breeze. The flower is known as Tze Hu-tieh or "The Purple Butterfly."

Iris Photos for Projects and Design

Need photos of iris? Please visit Dreamstime Stock Photography. Dreamstime is a distinguished leader in stock photography and a major supplier of high quality digital images at unbelievable prices. The Dreamstime database is renewed with thousands of fresh images and titles on a daily basis. See more photos here.

Plant Iris in Your Garden this Year

Find plants, trees and flowers at Nature Hills Nursery, Inc. Nature Hills Nursery offers one of the largest selections of high quality live plants and related products online, complete with extensive plant information, while maintaining an exceptional level of customer service.

Order Bouquets and Flowers
The extensive FloristOne catalog features flowers for every occasion and an extensive network of florists that allows for same day delivery to nearly all of the United States and Canada. Send a classic gift with special meaning for a birthday, baby's birth, holiday, sympathy, graduation or other special occasion. Nothing else communicates your sentiments quite as well as flowers. See our selection of bouquets and flowers here or go directly to the FloristOne website to see all flowers available.

©2008-2010 Living Arts Enterprises, LLC

Reference:
Yeh, Ning. An Album of Chinese Brush Painting: Eighty Paintings and Ideas. Huntington Beach, CA: Ning Yeh's Art Studio, 1986.

Kathleen Karlsen, MA is a symbolism expert, professional artist and marketing consultant specializing in products and services related to natural health and personal growth. Find out more at Living Arts Media, Kathleen Karlsen Art, and Kathleen Karlsen Writing or contact Kathleen at kathleenkarlsen@msn.com.

Article Use Policy: All content on this web site is protected by international copyright laws for intellectual property and may not be reproduced, used, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission.

Contact the author for permission to reprint articles for your own website, newsletter or other publications. Credit must be given to the author, a copyright notification must be included and a link to http://www.livingartsoriginals.com.

Symbolic Products The products below are purchased through our affiliate merchants. Click on the link to be taken to the merchants website for purchases. Commissions from our affiliates support our efforts to maintain and expand this website.
	BOOKSTORE Our bookstore includes books, DVDs and music.		SYMBOLIC JEWELRY Our jewelry selections include lots of meaningful gifts!
	FENG SHUI DECOR Includes statues, chimes, fountains, coins, and charms.		SYMBOLIC GIFTS Flower bouquets, gift baskets, memory trees, fairie gifts and angel gifts.
	STOCK PHOTOS The photos on this page are offered through Dreamstime stock photos.		SYMBOLIC PRINTS Symbolic artwork will brighten up any home or office with meaningful visuals.
	NATURAL HEALING See our Bach flower remedies and related books.