Have you ever wondered why we give flowers to our loved ones?
Whether it may be for your significant others during Valentine’s or to mourn the passing of someone—Dangwa’s flowers are the first destination for many due to their excellent reputation in both price and quality.
Dangwa Flower Market, or commonly referred to as simply Dangwa, is a vibrant and blooming street at Sampaloc, Manila—a destination of people looking for affordable flowers for all sorts of occasions. Crowned as the “Flower Capital of Manila”, these continuous series of streets are home to various individual stalls that comprise the entirety of the flower industry of Metro Manila.
One such occasion is the Flores de Mayo (or Flower of May in English), where the whole month is devoted to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. This month-long celebration is traditionally ornamented with florals of different forms and functions to give gratitude for the rain after the dry season of the year. This includes local attires dressed in various floral patterns such as the Santacruzan, which are long-procession that showcases an assortment of queens known for their distinguished symbols, and many more.
But, where did the concept of flower-giving and its meaning come from?
The First Flower Was Not A Flower
During the early civilization such as the Egyptians and Greeks, flowers were often scarce due to their seasonal requirement, making them difficult to cultivate anytime of the year. Instead, herbs and spices are often described to be their “first version” of flower-giving.
As researched by Lise Manniche (2009), fragrant herbs such as cinnamon, garlic and cardamom were utilized as gifts for their exquisite aroma. This practice was widespread in usage—from temple rituals to ceremonies and is believed that giving these to someone you adore is seen as asking the gods for them to have a plentiful life.
Thus, it is rare to be given flowers—especially when they are not in-season—since it means that those are well-preserved to prevent decay. Additionally, they are often over-priced to compensate for their rarity and limited quantity.
The Second Flower Was More Than Just Flowers
While the floral industry during the Middle Ages was in turmoil—primarily due to the constant political unrest and the start of the Bubonic Plague—the Renaissance ushered in a new view of the floristry that shaped our modern perception of flowers.
Rather than confining themselves to the heavens, many scholars decided to venture and study the physical world. They would later be called the humanists; studying the subjects under the humanities.
For instance, flowers, previously attached to only divinity and the gods during Classical antiquity, were used to represent human beauty, the expression of emotion—most often love—and the natural world. As the Metropolitan Museum of Art describes it, “The use of botanical imagery in painting proliferated especially in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, as artists became increasingly interested in the realistic depiction of objects from the natural world.”
Prolific writers such as WIlliam Shakespeare and Edmund Spenser penned the floral world as a symbol for love through their writings. In particular, the Hamlet of Shakespeare dramatized Ophelia’s flower giving to the court as to symbolize her wishes and her gesture to the royals.
Subsequently, John Green, an American author, cited the act of flower-giving as a gesture of what it takes to love someone during these years. As he explained, “[...] The whole idea of flowers is that you had to go out into the field, and like cut them, and arrange them yourself to apologize. It’s not supposed to be “I’m sorry I forgot your birthday. Here’s $8 worth of work that was done in Kenya.” It’s supposed to be, “I’m sorry I forgot your birthday so I went to the fracking forest and got you some fracking flowers.”
The Third Flower Was Plastic
After the Industrial Revolution and the rise of Capitalism, flower-producing and giving had taken a new brand through more efficient and productive means. While the discussed meaning of flower-giving by Green remained alive, cultivation of flowers and artificial manufacture of flowers quickly surged in popularity.
In a report by Dataintelo, China is the biggest producer of synthetic flowers, along with India that collectively dominated regional revenues with 41.2% just last year. Similarly, The Netherlands is known as the “Flower Capital of the World”, due to their agricultural advancement and favorable climate. The Dutch alone accounts for an approximate 40% of the flower trade internationally.
Both types of flowers had been circulating the market and are often still used. Synthetics are most often seen in home decor, such as those in vase or indoor facilities to bypass the living requirement. Meanwhile, natural florals are used in romantic occassion—both for the living and the dead—that had stood the test of time.
The Current Flower Is A Message
Flowers—made naturally or synthetically—holds the value the giver intends to deliver, regardless of what it is made of. The act of flower-giving has stood the test of the ever-marching time yet its meaning has stayed regardless of the material representation.
Situations had drastically shifted and the meaning of how love is given to others. Chivalry and heroism are often seen when discussing the means of flower-giving during the Renaissance, and had since “died out” during the birth of industrial efficiency.
However, the way of money-making is itself an act of chivalry and heroism—just in a different font. It requires a certain amount of sacrifice and determination to afford a synthetic flower sold; similar to the method of trekking the dangerous forest during the early days.
Flowers—as rare as they were in the past or a common sight today—are but a physical manifestation of the giver’s message to the receiver. Just because it is a flower that may wither, its meaning surpasses its lifespan. Just because it is a flower that may be manufactured from polyester and synthetic dye, its implication can bypass its origin.
We weave and attach the message we want the other party to obtain. The material may change as seen throughout history, its essence will always depend on the giver. Regardless of its origin. We convey our deepest truest love to one, our sincerest sorrow to another, and our happiest moment to the next. And those meanings will bloom like the flowers at the bustling streets of Dangwa Market
Written by Aeron V. Magbuo, Insight PH
Aeron V. Magbuo, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
