Why Elders Say It's Unlucky to Keep Gardenias
An article about why elders say it's unlucky to keep gardenias, along with the symbolism and legends of the flowers. Let's delve into this topic together.
Gardenias have a strong fragrance and pure white color, which should make them a favorite for indoor cultivation. However, we often hear elders say that keeping gardenias indoors is unlucky. Is there any truth to this? This article will explore the reasons behind the elders' belief that gardenias are unlucky, as well as the symbolism and legends associated with them.
Reasons Why Elders Say It's Unlucky to Keep Gardenias
The color of gardenias is entirely white, and the older generation often considers white to be an unlucky color, associating it with bad luck. Therefore, they believe it's not lucky to keep gardenias at home. However, this is merely a superstitious belief. Gardenias are white, and white belongs to the metal element, which is incompatible with the wood element. Thus, it's advisable not to keep gardenias if there are people born in the Year of the Tiger or Rabbit in the household. Keeping gardenias at home, if placed incorrectly, can have a negative impact on the family's fortune. It should be avoided to plant them directly opposite the front door, as this may cause the homeowner to fall ill. Moreover, the fragrance of gardenias is very strong, so it's best not to place them in the bedroom at night, as this can affect sleep quality. If one is allergic to flowers, it's even less suitable to keep them in the bedroom.
The Symbolism and Legends of Gardenias
1. Symbolism: Gardenias symbolize joy, strength, lifelong protection, and eternal love. The meaning of the flower language is very positive.
2. Legend: One of the legends of gardenias is related to the Seven Fairies. It is said that the fairies, tired of the loneliness in heaven, wanted to appreciate the beauty of the world, so they came to earth and turned into a flower tree. One day, a young farmer found this tree and took it home. The farmer carefully maintained the well-kept gardenia tree. In return, the gardenia turned into a human form during the day to help the farmer with dishes, cooking, and household chores. At night, the gardenia would turn back into a flower, emitting a fragrance to help the farmer sleep better. Thus, the habit of planting gardenias has spread.
3. Western Story: According to legend, there was a pure girl who loved white very much. Her dream was to marry a boy as pure as herself. One day, an angel gave her a seed and told her to cultivate it well and maintain purity every day. The girl did as instructed, and later a miracle occurred—the seed turned into a gardenia, and a handsome, pure, and kind boy appeared from the flower. They got married and lived happily ever after.
The above[] introduces why elders say it's unlucky to keep gardenias, along with the symbolism and legends of the flowers, hoping to bring a bit of help to your life!