If flowers were always a sign of protection to people wearing crowns of flowers on their heads since antiquity, for states they were also considered as symbols of power.
The Olympic Games Opening Ceremony inspired me to share this with you. The Olympics should be a celebration of unity, strength, and cultural identity, bringing together nations from around the globe, making the flower thematic a perfect choice for an Opening Ceremony. 
As each country has its own perfume heritage, each country also owns the powerful symbolism that flowers hold. These natural emblems not only represent national pride but also embody the spirit and values of the cultures they belong to. Flowers possess a unique power that transcends mere beauty, serving as potent symbols of identity, strength, and cultural heritage across the globe. Each country proudly embraces its national flower, which encapsulates the spirit and values of its people. As we explore various flowers and their meanings, we discover how they reflect the essence of nations and their histories.

Take, for instance, France's iconic Fleur de Lys. This elegant flower has long been associated with French royalty and heraldry, symbolizing purity, light, and life. Its distinctive shape and rich history make it a powerful emblem of national identity. The Fleur de Lys serves as a reminder of France's cultural heritage and the values of honor and excellence.

In Japan, the cherry blossom, or Sakura, is a beloved symbol that represents the transient beauty of life. The fleeting nature of the blossoms reminds the Japanese people to cherish each moment, as they bloom for only a short time each spring. This flower embodies resilience and the acceptance of life's impermanence, making it a poignant representation of Japanese culture.

The United States honors the rose as its national flower, a symbol of love, passion, and resilience. The rose's diverse colors and varieties reflect the country's rich tapestry of cultures and histories, celebrating the spirit of freedom and justice that the nation strives for. It has become an emblem of unity and compassion, reminding citizens of their shared values.

In India, the lotus flower holds deep spiritual significance. It symbolizes purity, enlightenment, and rebirth, often associated with important deities in Hinduism and Buddhism. The lotus thrives in muddy waters, rising above the surface to bloom beautifully, representing the idea of overcoming adversity and achieving greatness despite challenges.

Further south, South Africa’s national flower, the King Protea, stands as a symbol of hope and change. Its unique appearance and resilience in harsh environments echo the strength and diversity of the South African people. The King Protea serves as a reminder of the country’s rich natural heritage and its journey toward unity and growth.

In Mexico, the dahlia, or "cempasúchil," is a vibrant flower that plays a crucial role in the Day of the Dead celebrations. Its bright orange and yellow hues symbolize the sun and are believed to guide the spirits of loved ones back to the world of the living. This flower encapsulates the Mexican values of remembrance and honouring one’s ancestors, celebrating life and death as intertwined experiences.

These flowers, among many others (check our blog powerfulflower.blogspot.com/?view=magazine), serve as powerful emblems of identity and connection. They evoke emotions and memories, fostering a sense of belonging and pride within their respective cultures. Flowers remind us that even in a world filled with differences, there is beauty in diversity and a shared appreciation for nature's wonders.
This is an IPF suggestion for the next Olympics Opening Ceremony in Los Angeles.

                                                                  Author: Terry Johnson

It is quite easy and understandable to get caught up in the fast pace and stress of our 21st Century culture and miss the importance of how greatly flowers can positively affect our lives in many almost metaphysical ways.

Ancient cultures certainly recognized these phenomena involving the connections between human experience and flowers, which explains the consistent presence of flowers at important societal ceremonies, such as births, marriages, and funerals.

Besides the symbolism flowers represent (the German philosopher Goethe claimed when he looked at a flower with the naked eye, he could instinctively experience our whole cycle of existence) as well as the "meanings" associated with individual flower varieties or colors, there is certainly much more. Flowers truly do touch us profoundly and mysteriously.

With consumers putting a greater emphasis on improving their indoor environment, we have a great opportunity to educate flower shop professionals, and ourselves with how wonderfully flowers help us all achieve improved health, happiness, and productivity. For instance, since some consumers practice Feng Shui, they can count on the ability of flowers to help balance the energy between natural and man-made objects central to Feng Shui.

Drawing from science, several universities have released similar studies finding solid links between flowers and human health, happiness, and workplace productivity, confirming what many have observed intuitively, and seeming to verify what ancient cultures have emphasized for thousands of years.

For example, Rutgers University's study revealed “the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed,” according to Dr. Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Professor of Research at Rutgers and lead researcher on the study. “What’s most exciting about this study is that it challenges established scientific beliefs about how people can manage their day-to-day moods in a healthy and natural way,” explained Haviland-Jones.

Could it be science is finally catching up to this power that flowers possess, much like the medical field has come to accept acupuncture as a viable, mainstream solution to a wide range of human health problems?

You don’t have to convince Dianne Morgado, Morgado Nursery, Keaau, Hawaii. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1991 and having left a career in banking and finance behind, Dianne was invited to help a friend with an orchid growing operation he was starting up. Stressed out, feeling down and without much self-confidence, Dianne discovered that growing and just being around orchids was a “life-affirming and life-changing” experience. She was so taken by the experience she decided to start her own orchid growing business in 2002, which has three greenhouses and is still growing. Not surprisingly, Dianne credits orchids with helping make her a cancer survivor. Listening to Dianne speak so lovingly of orchids is much like reading the noted 19th Century French author Marcel Proust, who, when thinking of the silk-and-satin texture of orchids, spoke of “the passionate longing one feels sometimes for a particular flower.”

What seems to be the unifying theme here with acupuncture, Feng Shui, and the therapeutic and uplifting effects of flowers is energy. Perhaps the Ancients were right, and the secrets of health, happiness and productivity is the flow of energy within ourselves, within our environment and the recognition that flowers enhance connectivity between the two.

It is fitting that the flower industry is now in the position of offering consumers a range of products, not just for their beauty and artistry, but more importantly because they provide that valuable connection and balance between the natural world and our own stressed out world.

This makes it even more important for all of us to work towards giving consumers the freshest, longest lasting flowers that will encourage everyone to make flowers part of their daily lives.