Are You Like an Iris? There’s Hope
What are some symbols of hope you see in your world? For me, flowers are often signs of hope, especially those that finagle a way to bloom through a crack in the pavement, or unexpectedly spring to life from a stem I thought was dead.
One flower that stands out as a traditional symbol of hope is the iris.
The name “iris” comes from the Greek word for rainbow. In ancient Greek mythology, Iris was the messenger of the gods and the personification of the rainbow. She was said to be the vital link between heaven and earth, traveling along rainbows. The Greeks often planted irises over the graves of women, believing that the goddess Iris would guide the dead on their journey to heaven.
In my own garden, the irises are some of the hardiest perennials. They grow in poor soil. They continue to return year after year with minimal attention.
That gives me hope.
The iris’s characteristics of resilience, adaptability, and faithfulness are characteristics I want to cultivate in my own life, too.
These traits remind us that regardless of the season we’re in, a new spring is always around the corner.
Just like the iris, we can become symbols of hope by being resilient, adaptable, and faithful.
The next time you see an iris, let it be a reminder to embrace these qualities and to hold onto hope, no matter the challenges you face.
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Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Yes, I’d like these characteristics to be true in me too. You’ve inspired me to plant irises in my garden this year. We’ve had a good winter in many different ways, but thankful that spring is just around the corner.
Thanks for these details about irises! I have them in my garden. Great connection with resilience and adaptability. I look forward to their blooms.
I’m ready for my irises to come to life in a few months here in NH. I love the flowers, but even their brownish foliage is lovely and stands out against the snow we have here. And yes, they’re so resilient and adaptable that they spread each year even after temperatures below 0. Thanks for reminding me of this!
I loved learning about the symbols the iris represents, Lisa. I will take intentional notice of them from here on out.
Blessings!
We don’t see irises around our part of the world, Lisa. But hope is something we all need in these times.
I look forward to the blooming of our irises every year.
My irises are so hardy and low maintenance, and every year they bloom, I’m filled with hope and awe. Wonderful post, Lisa.
I did not know this about irises but now will always remember the hope they represent.
I learned something new about irises, Lisa. Thank you for sharing this symbol of hope.
Lisa, I love the delicate beauty of the Iris but am disappointed that their blooms seldom last! I suppose the flower which represents Hope to me is the Zinnia. Brilliant colors, drought resistant-thrive in the hot sun, grow in any soil. To me Hope thrives in the harshest conditions, and its beauty is never diminished by its surroundings!
I learned something new here. I love the thought that iris’s represent hope. The rebirth of spring each year represents hope for me each year.
Visiting today from Joanne’s