14 Amazing Flowers That Symbolize and Embody Rebirth

Fujiyoshida, Japan at Chureito Pagoda and Mt. Fuji in the spring with cherry blossoms.
© Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com

Written by Patrick MacFarland

Updated: September 26, 2023

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In many cultures, there is a belief that certain things can bring peace to an individual, a family, or a region. This is also true about flowers, too. Different flowers can mean different things. Roses mean love, but what about the rest of them? There are 14 amazing flowers that symbolize and embody rebirth. Which ones are they? Let’s explore each of them.

Note: This is important to say that the following article is not scientifically proven. Some statements are seen as myths, part of tall tales told from generation to generation, or cultural traditions steeped in folklore or history.

Lotus

Pink lotus flower

The lotus flower seeds can last for a very long time, which is why the Chinese see the lotus as a symbol of lastingness.

©iStock.com/Thithawat_s

Many cultures associate the lotus flower as a symbol of rebirth. In Ancient Egypt, they believed the lotus flower represented the sun and how every day began anew. In Buddhism, the lotus is a symbol of enlightenment in rebirth. The lotus starts to grow in the mud, and once it rises past the pond water, it appears as a majestic and beautiful flower. This can be attributed to humans, as well. The lotus is the national flower of India and Vietnam.

Daffodil

Narcissus 'La Riante'

The daffodil is the national flower of Wales but is also the flower for many cancer charities.

©Graham Prentice/Shutterstock.com

In Greek mythology, the daffodil is associated with Narcissus; thus, the flower represents rejuvenation, starting anew, and rebirth. In Chinese cultures, they usually plant or ensure the daffodils blossom at the start of the New Year for good luck and prosperity. Even though the most popular ones are yellow, there are several kinds of daffodils, including white and orange.

Calla Lily

Zantedeschia Aethiopica

The calla lily is a flower native to southern

Africa

.

©Fabrizio Guarisco/Shutterstock.com

The white flower with a yellow spike in the middle is truly unique and makes the calla lily extremely beautiful. In the Christian religion, the calla lily represents Jesus’s resurrection. In other cultures and religions, calla lilies have the same or similar meanings. The calla lily is the national flower of Saint Helena, a British island territory located in the Atlantic Ocean.

White Tulip

White blooming flowers of Tulip 'White Dream' on a field in Almere, The Netherlands

The tulip is the national flower of the Netherlands.

©Ole Schoener/Shutterstock.com

The white tulip is an elegant flower that embodies purity and pure sophistication. But besides that, it also means rebirth. The Netherlands is famous for having tulip fields that are ready to bloom in the springtime. Thus, in European countries, white tulips are a power flower to have for weddings (a sign of new beginnings) or funerals (a sign of a new everlasting start for the departed).

Lewisia

Lewisia rediviva or Bitterroot
Lewisia

is named for Meriwether Lewis, an American explorer, who first saw the species of flower in his 1806 expedition.

©Veronika Gaudet/Shutterstock.com

Native to America and specifically the Sierra Nevada, Lewisia can be of different colors, including purple, orange, and white. Besides symbolizing rebirth, the flower is known to have medicinal purposes that can treat several diseases, for example, headaches, arthritis, sore throat, and even neurological problems.

Rain Lily

Are Lilies Poisonous - Rain Lily

This species of lily goes by many different names like fairy lily, magic lily, and atamasco lily, to name a few.

©haryo qb/Shutterstock.com

Native to Central and South America, the rain lily comes in many colors, like pink and white, and usually blooms immediately after heavy rainfall. For this reason, the rain lily is associated with rebirth, for its ability to grow anew after hard times. It can be interpreted in the same way, ensuring you are cleansing yourself after a storm in life and ready to start fresh.

Australian Honeysuckle

Silver banksia flower and cone, Banksia marginata, Tasmania, Australia. Close up of the flower spike through the leaves with bokeh background. Also known as Tasmanian honeysuckle.

The Australian honeysuckle, or banksia, is named after the Australian explorer, Sir Joseph Banks, who first made note of the flowers.

©Rixipix/iStock via Getty Images

The Australian honeysuckle is known as banksia in Australia, and it is a native flower to the continent. These flowers are very colorful and can be red, orange, yellow, or pink. In the Aboriginal culture, the banksia represents new life and hope. But there, they can also represent fertility, which is a sign of new life. Perseverance can also be a good word to describe the banksia, which can thrive in the desert.

Daisy

Bellis perennis, the daisy Flower Background

Denmark’s national flower is the daisy.

©Carol La Rosa/Shutterstock.com

These are cute, little, white and yellow flowers that originated in Europe. They look so delicate that it is no wonder that these flowers represent youth and innocence. In Celtic folklore, it was believed that daisies would bring peace and tranquility to parents who lost their children. Symbolizing newness and rebirth, the daisy represents new beginnings and fresh hopes.

Iris

Dutch iris is also known as Iris hollandica

In true elegant fashion, France’s national flower is the iris.

©iStock.com/liuyushan

There are over three hundred species of this flower, and they range in colors from blue and yellow to purple and pink. Greek mythology taught us that irises mean new beginnings, as Iris was the goddess of meadows and new endeavors that sometimes appeared in the form of rainbows. Furthermore, in the Christian religion, irises also mean resurrection. Vincent Van Gogh even portrayed these flowers as colorful and vibrant, meaning that a new, abundant life will take over.

Cherry Blossom

The Japanese cherry blossom (Prunus serrulata-Kanzan) branch is gradually blooming

Japan’s national flower is the cherry blossom.

©Marie Shark/Shutterstock.com

Native to Asia, especially Japan, the Japanese call them Sakura. The Japanese believe that cherry blossoms bring new life, as well as new beginnings. That’s why tourists flock to Japan to see the cherry blossoms bloom at the start of spring, a sort of ritual that signifies newness is about to commence.

Magnolia

Pink magnolia liliiflora flowers. Woody-orchid tree in full bloom.

The magnolia is one of the oldest trees and flowers on earth, estimated to be over 100 million years old.

©Svetlana Zhukova/Shutterstock.com

Magnolias are one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, which means that they have long been attributed to new life. Magnolias have medicinal properties and can calm and soothe you during times of stress. 

Lilac

Delicate lilac flower of Clematis macropetala

Lilacs were one of the favorite flowers to grow in the gardens of both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

©Rey Rojo/iStock via Getty Images

Coming in several different colors like blue and purple, lilacs mean rebirth and rejuvenation. During the Victorian Era, it is said that lilacs were the bouquet flower because they signified a new life and innocence.

Peony

Red peony flowers in spring.

The peony is the 12th wedding anniversary flower.

©alex172/Shutterstock.com

Native to China, peonies are all over the world and in many different colors. These beautiful flowers represent rebirth and are powerful in the chance of starting anew. In Chinese culture, they mean prosperity. So, if you want a prosperous new chapter in your life, peonies are a good flower to get.

Hyacinth

Large flower bed with multi-colored hyacinths

Hyacinths are toxic to humans (so don’t eat them).

©Kateryna Mashkevych/Shutterstock.com

Hyacinth is the quintessential flower of rebirth and is part of the story of how, from tragedy, something beautiful can emerge. According to Greek mythology, Apollo accidentally killed the young god Hyacinthus. After his death, the hyacinth flower grew in the spot where he died. 

Conclusion

There are flowers for every occasion and there are flowers that symbolize different things. If you believe that a certain flower can shower new beginnings in your life, then all the power to you! The next time you pass by a flower shop, ask the florist for a bouquet of beautiful calla lilies.

If you don’t get a sense of rebirth in the future, at the very least, the flowers provide you with comfort and a more relaxing, colorful atmosphere at home.

14 Amazing Flowers That Symbolize and Embody Rebirth

FlowerScientific Name
LotusNelumbo nucifera
DaffodilNarcissus
Calla lilyZantedeschia
White tulipTulipa
LewisiaLewisia
Rain lilyZephyranthes
Australian honeysuckleBanksia
DaisyBellis perennis
IrisIris
Cherry BlossomPrunus subgenus Cerasus
MagnoliaMagnolia grandiflora
LilacSyringa
PeonyPaeonia
HyacinthHyacinthus


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About the Author

Patrick Macfarland is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering travel, geography, and history. Patrick has been writing for more than 10 years. In the past, he has been a teacher and a political candidate. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from SDSU and a Master's Degree in European Union Studies from CIFE. From San Diego, California, Patrick loves to travel and try new recipes to cook.

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