Narcissus Day

March 06: Narcissus Day

Narcissus Day

Narcissus, also called daffodils and jonquils, bloom in late winter or early spring. They are native to meadows and woods in Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. Many places showcase them in planters to welcome spring.

Various cancer charities around the world use the daffodil as a fundraising symbol. For example, “Daffodil Days,” first instituted in Toronto in 1957 by the Canadian Cancer Society, are organized to raise funds by offering the flowers in return for a donation in November.

However, I suspect today’s celebration is more about spring.

Narcissus Facts & Trivia:

  • Narcissus is Latin, from the Greek narkissos meaning numbness, sleepy, and lethargic. In fact, narcissus contains the alkaloid poison lycorine, mostly in the bulb but also in the leaves.
  • The name is often linked to the Greek myth of Narcissus, who became so obsessed with his own reflection in a pool of water, that he fell in and drowned. (Or he died of starvation and thirst.) The narcissus grew where he died.
  • Narcissus’ grow from bulbs. Leafless stems bear from 1 to 20 blooms. The flower has a central trumpet-shaped corona surrounded by six floral leaves. Flower color varies from white through yellow to deep orange.
  • The daffodil is a Welsh national emblem. They are traditionally worn on St David’s Day.
  • In Wales, the person who spots the first daffodil of the season will be blessed with a year of wealth.
  • The narcissus is a Kurdish national flower that symbolizes the new year or Newroz.
  • Daffodils are the March birth flower.
  • They are also the 10th wedding anniversary flower.
  • They symbolized rebirth and new beginnings as well as fertility and beauty.
  • In China, they symbolize good fortune and wealth.

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⇴ image from Pixabay.com

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