Meaning, symbolism and mythology of the iris flower + plant irises

The meanings of the iris flower include nobility, chivalry, wisdom, messages, faith and purity. With nearly 300 species that come in a variety of colors, the iris has inspired storytellers and artists for centuries. In this post, you will learn more about the meaning of the iris, including the color and the spiritual significance. You will also learn about iris planting and care.

What does the iris symbolize?

wisdom Messages belief and hope purity

Detailed iris symbols and meanings

Here are some of the qualities that the iris represents:

Noble

Long associated with royalty, the iris embodies nobility at its best. These qualities include leading by example and serving rather than being afraid. As such, iris flowers make ideal gifts for the people you look up to and who have inspired you in some way.

chivalry

The iris is also a symbol of chivalry. In our modern world, some might think that chivalry keeps the door open for someone else. However, it means much more. Chivalry in ancient times included the chivalrous code of conduct. These included bravery, heroism, justice, honor and a willingness to help the weak. The iris was emblazoned on many coats of arms, sometimes in the form of a lily symbol.

wisdom

Just as some flowers represent innocence, the iris symbolizes wisdom and experience. These complex flowers embody the kind of beauty that only gets better with age, as well as the kind of knowledge that can only be gained through life experience.

Messages

The meaning of the iris flower also includes messages. In Victorian England, giving an iris meant you had a special message for her. And on a spiritual level, like a butterfly or a hummingbird, the iris is associated with messages from your angels.

belief and hope

The iris is also a symbol of faith and hope. So if you walk and see Iris on your way, it is a sign that you should find hope and believe in good outcomes even if you are feeling pessimistic or down.

purity

As the name suggests, water irises are semi-aquatic species of the flower that grow in bodies of water and swampy environments. They are special in that they remove toxins from the environment. Because of this special quality, yellow flag irises can be used in wastewater treatment.

For this reason, the iris is also a symbol of purity. As with the meaning of lotus flowers or lily flowers, the iris can grow in murky or muddy environments and still bloom into a beautiful flower. All of these flowers symbolize the ability to change our lives for the better.

Iris Flower Color Meanings

Irises come in a rainbow of colors, and each one has a special meaning. Here are some meanings of the iris colors:

Blue Iris Flower Meaning

A blue iris symbolizes spiritual belief, trust and loyalty. As the saying goes, “a true blue friend,” the gift of blue iris flowers, whether on bulbs or in a bouquet, is a beautiful way to honor long-standing friendships and other trusting relationships. In addition, blue irises symbolize belief in your spiritual path or that of a loved one.

Blue irises include:

Blue Dutch Iris Varieties (Iris Hollandica) – hybrid developed from species in Portugal, Spain and North Africa salt marsh or butterfly iris (Iris Spuria) – native to Europe, Africa and Asia Bearded Iris (Iris germanica) – Origins uncertain but most likely native to Mediterranean Europe Victoria Falls Iris (iris ‘Victoria Falls’) – Origins uncertain but most likely native to Mediterranean Europe

Purple Iris Flower Meaning

What do purple irises symbolize? The color purple has long been associated with royalty and a way of paying tribute to and honoring others. It is also the color of pride and confidence. Therefore, purple irises symbolize respect and honor – be it for others or even for oneself.

Purple irises make beautiful gifts for people who have taught you wisdom, such as parents, teachers, and other mentors. They also make the perfect 25th wedding anniversary gift.

In addition, purple iris meaning implies peace and harmony as it mixes two very different colors: cool blue and warm red. As such, purple irises are ideal to plant in a peace garden or as a symbol of goodwill, understanding and forgiveness to give away to others.

Additionally, violet and purple are the hues associated with the seventh chakra, which governs your superconscious or spiritual consciousness. Therefore, purple irises are beautiful flowers for a meditation room or garden.

Purple irises include:

dwarf lake iris (Iris lacustris) – native to the Great Lakes region of eastern USA Purple Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana) – native of the Pacific Coast of the US Wild Flag Iris (Iris setosa) – Japanese water iris native to Alaska (Iris ensata) – native to East Asia and Kazakhstan Caesar’s brother Iris (iris ‘Caesar’s brother’) – Hybrid derived from Iris sibirica (Native to Central Europe, northeastern Turkey, and southeastern Russia) and Iris Sanguinea (native to Russia, Korea and Japan) Dachiris (Iris tectorum) – native to central and south-west China and Myanmar Purple Fan Iris (Iris virgin) – native to coastal areas of the US from Virginia to Louisiana Stinking Iris (Iris foetidissima) – native to southern Europe and northern Africa

Red Iris Flower Meaning

A red iris symbolizes security, passion and loyalty in romantic love. The color red governs the first chakra, also known as the root chakra. This chakra governs your primal instincts and the fundamental aspects of your life that provide security. Therefore, planting or gifting red irises is a wonderful symbol of bonding and creating a haven in your romantic relationship or home environment.

Red irises include:

copper iris (iris) – native to central USA Red bearded iris (Iris germanica) – Origin uncertain but most likely native to Mediterranean Europe Red Dwarf Bearded Iris (Iris pumila ‘Red’) – native to Central and Eastern Europe Louisiana iris (iris ‘Professor Neil’) – native from southern Louisiana to Florida and the Carolinas Japanese water iris (Iris ensata) – native to East Asia and Kazakhstan

Orange iris meaning

An orange iris flower symbolizes courage and well-being. Orange irises make beautiful gifts for loved ones who are undergoing medical treatment or are struggling with health conditions. You can give them confidence and hope that everything will go well. They are also ideal symbols for building one’s self-confidence and increasing physical vitality.

Orange irises include:

leopard flower (Iris domestica) – originally from China Maid of Orange Iris or Orange Bearded Iris (Iris germanica) – Origin uncertain but most likely native to Mediterranean Europe

Pink irises

A pink iris symbolizes renewed faith in love and chivalry. Therefore, they make ideal gifts for friends and family members who have been heartbroken. The pink iris can help restore her confidence in love and healthy relationships.

Pink irises include:

Pink Douglas Fir (Iris douglasiana) – native to the Pacific Coast of the USA Stinking Iris (Iris foetidissima) – native to southern Europe and northern Africa Pink Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica) – native to Europe and Central Asia Pink Bearded Iris (Iris germanica) – Origin uncertain but most likely native to Mediterranean Europe

Yellow Iris Flower

Yellow iris meaning includes optimism, purity and passionate faith. Irises, especially some species of yellow iris, are used to purify water and are therefore ideal symbols of regeneration and renewal. In the same way, yellow iris meaning also symbolizes the release of any sadness or negative emotions that are holding you back. In essence, the yellow iris embodies looking on the bright side and believing in positive outcomes.

Yellow irises include:

Yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus) – native to Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia Yellow Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana) – native of the Pacific coast of the USA Yellow Dutch Iris (Iris Hollandica) – Hybrid developed from species in Portugal, Spain and North Africa

White Iris Flower Meaning

Like the white butterfly meaning, the white iris symbolizes messages from angels, spiritual faith and purity. They make ideal gifts for newborns and to honor those who have passed into the spirit realm. Additionally, white irises bring hope for a new beginning, making them ideal flowers for bridal bouquets, wedding and baby showers, christenings, graduations, and retirement gifts.

White irises include:

White Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica) – native to Europe and Central Asia White Iris (Iris germanica) – origin uncertain but most likely native to Mediterranean Europe Dutch White Iris (Iris Hollandica) – hybrid of species in Portugal, Spain and North Africa African white iris (Diets iridioides) – native to southern Africa

Brown irises

A brown iris symbolizes stability, security and warm feelings. A brown iris makes an ideal gift for a friend or someone who has been a teacher or mentor in your life. In essence, the brown iris is the color of the soil, which is a building block for life. So brown irises make beautiful gifts for people in your life who are down to earth and have provided you with fundamental wisdom.

Brown iris flowers include:

Chocolate Bearded Iris (Iris germanica) – Origin uncertain, but most likely native to Mediterranean Europe Siva siva bearded iris (Iris germanica ‘Siva siva’) – Origins uncertain but most likely native to Mediterranean Europeris germanica) – origin uncertain, but most likely native to Mediterranean Europe Gilead iris (Iris atrofusca) – native to Israel and Jordan Lion King Dutch iris (Iris Hollandica) – Hybrid developed from species in Portugal, Spain and North Africa

Black iris meaning

Black iris meanings include elegance,…