Magnolia tree symbolism and meaning [In verschiedenen Kulturen]

The magnolia is one of my favorite trees as I had it in the garden of my childhood home. My grandma always told me that the tree is there to protect us and I had so many memories of that tree!

Let’s get into that the next time you see a magnolia tree, you will know exactly what it means and what its powerful symbolism is.

The magnolia owes its name to Pierre Magnol, a French physician and botanist who introduced the notion of family into botanical classification. It has very ancient origins and is found in different parts of the world, from America to Asia.

Magnolia is a species of plant in the Magnoliaceae family, which includes over 80 tree and shrub species. Magnolias are native to North and Central America and can reach a height of more than 20 meters.

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Magnolias alternately have oval or elliptical leaves. Perennial and deciduous, dark green and very leathery.

The flowers are large, showy and white or pink with an intense fragrance. They are cup-shaped with a perianth of 6-9 petals called petals (petals and sepals having the same appearance).

This led botanists to believe that the magnolia was a primitive flower. For this reason, in recent decades it has been wrongly assumed that the Magnoliaceae were the first angiosperms to colonize the earth.

Magnolia tree symbolism explained

Magnolia trees have been on Earth for millions of years, which has been shown by recent archaeological excavations in America that some fossil specimens date back as far as five million years ago.

Until a few centuries ago in Georgia it was traditional to plant a magnolia in every flower bed, since it was believed that the plant brought good luck and economic stability to the residents of the nearby house.

The first specimens imported to Europe were grown in a greenhouse as the plants were considered very delicate. However, it is said that some French gardeners thought keeping majestic trees in a closed environment was an act against nature and they decided to plant a specimen in the center of a large garden.

According to legend, it was the first plant to be grown outdoors, becoming the largest and most majestic in all of Europe for over 100 years.

According to a Japanese legend, it is advisable not to sleep too long or stay under a blooming magnolia tree, as the intense perfume of its blossoms could stun or even kill.

In folk medicine, the flowers and bark resin, rich in vitamins and minerals, has often been used to relieve rheumatic problems, while the buds of Magnolia officinalis have been used as an anti-inflammatory.

language of flowers

In the language of flowers and plants, magnolia takes on two different meanings depending on the color of the flower.

Each type of magn olia has a specific meaning!

• White: Endurance, Purity, Dignity, Determination, Humility
• Pink: shyness, innocence, joy, sensitivity
• Yellow: wealth, luck, loyalty, good health
• Purple: luck, fertility, courage, beauty

It is also traditional if you have magnolia and it blooms out of season, it is said to symbolize your anxious state. Giving a magnolia, in the language of flowers, is believing that the person you are giving it to is strong, dignified, and enduring.

From antiquity to modern times

Magnolia was not introduced to Europe until 1740 by a French merchant. Present on earth for millions of years, it symbolizes strength, longevity and purity.

In China, people believe that planting a magnolia in the garden guarantees happiness, prosperity and marital happiness. According to feng shui, placing one in the front of the house promotes a happy life filled with pleasures, while caring for it in the back of the house promotes solid financial well-being.

In Japan, brides would decorate their bouquets with white magnolia blossoms on their wedding day to represent the strength and purity of their love.

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Even today, its petals are considered talismans, useful for protecting couples and increasing passion.

If a man in Europe had cheated on his partner or returned to her after leaving her, he would have had to give her magnolia flowers to right the wrong, indicating the purity and nobility of his intentions.

This plant, which is closely linked to Yin energy, embodies both fertility and the courage to withstand adverse situations (it grows on dry and inhospitable soil) and is therefore particularly suitable for protecting women.

Magnolia trees vary in shape and color, but they are all magnificent: they invite us to be tolerant and to embrace bea uty in diversity.

Magnolia as a natural remedy and a magical ingredient

In traditional Chinese medicine, magnolia bark, known as “Houpu o hou po” is used to treat rheumatic problems, diarrhea, coughs, asthma and menopausal symptoms.

It contains two phenolic compounds, magnolol and onochiol, which, in addition to being an effective anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant, is an effective means of reducing conditions associated with psychophysical stress (anxiety, panic and insomnia).

Magnolia essential oil is used to find love for yourself and to relax. We can spread it when we feel the need to quell emotional confusion and make balanced decisions. According to tradition, placing a handful of dry magnolia leaves under the mattress guarantees a happy marriage.

Also read:
What is frankincense essential oil used for?
What is Lemongrass Essential Oil used for?

To attract happiness into your home, you need to hang magnolia pods on every door or window. Blow off the dust you get by putting a handful of magnolia leaves on your shoes in the mortar, which promotes good luck and fortune (let them dry first).

In magic, you can use it to cast spells to increase passion, loyalty, luck, attract love, protect sentimental unions, and promote emotional balance.

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Beautiful legends about the magnolia tree

Chinese legend

Many centuries ago, the bloodthirsty Hunhuzes attacked the residents of a peaceful eastern village, burning houses, killing everyone with weapons in their hands – not only sane men, but also old men and boys. The cruel invaders left only a hundred beautiful girls for fun.

Every night the soldiers amused themselves and in the morning they killed a beautiful woman. This lasted exactly 99 days. When it was the last girl’s turn to die, she prayed to the earth with a request not to let her sex perish forever.

In the morning the unexpected happened: the invaders did not see the bodies of those they killed, because in their place stood a sprawling tree whose branches were decorated with pink buds, of which there were exactly one hundred.

In a rage, the Hunhuzes began chopping down the tree with their swords, but as soon as a felled branch touched the ground, it transformed into a new tree, all with the same hundred mesmerizing blossoms.

This was a magnolia highly prized in China and called Mu-lan. The flower is considered a symbol of female beauty, tenderness and innocence.

In addition, the Chinese have another legend about the plant. The first tree is believed to have grown on the tomb of the ancient sage Confucius. In ancient times, only the emperor had the right to watch how the magnolia bloomed, but if he wanted, he could give this plant to his faithful servant.

The tree was often called the jade orchid due to the fact that it was distinguished by sobriety and the ability to survive extreme cold.

Japanese legend

In ancient times there lived a very poor girl, Keiko, who was forced to make paper flowers, which were so cheap that the poor woman did not have enough money for beautiful dresses. She was living in poverty when an old parrot once flew into her window.

The friendly girl did not drive the bird away; So the bird revealed the secret: to revive the flowers, you need to drop a drop of your own blood on them.

But the parrot had warned Keiko that giving her the last drop of blood was unacceptable. The beautiful girl followed the advice of the wise bird; Her revived flowers were so beautiful that they were purchased at a good price, and Keiko eventually rose from poverty.

She bought a luxurious kimono and went to the prom. where she met and fell in love with young Arthur, a student who seemed to love her back.

But, alas, the young man was only interested in material goods; He dreamed of luxury and made his hapless girlfriend work harder and harder. To please his lover, he gave the last drop of his blood to the flowers and died. And the flower, when the last drop hit, became a magnolia.

how nice is that All this information made me love this tree even more! I hope you enjoyed this article and you love magnolia trees as much as I do!