THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF DAFFODILS (and The Pandemic)

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”~Audrey Hepburn

“An optimist is a human personification of Spring.”~Susan J. Bissonette

Last October,  my partner and I planted one hundred and twenty bulbs of Daffodils in our garden. We wondered, “what would next Spring bring?”. Winter was tough. We were faced with the tragic loss of lives coupled with economic, social and political unrest.

Personally, I feared for my family members working on the front line. Two family members have recovered from Covid although one of them has ongoing medical issues.

“Deep in their roots all flowers keep their light.”~Theodore Roethke

Spring is here and our daffodils are flourishing. Their bulbs rooted and they survived the winter. Daffodils symbolize rebirth and new beginnings in most cultures. They symbolize clarity, creativity and forgiveness. In France, daffodils are a symbol of hope. In Chinese culture they symbolize good luck, fortune and prosperity. In fact, the daffodil is the symbol of the Chinese New Year. In Wales it is believed that if you find the first bloomed daffodil, the upcoming year will bring you more gold. In Japan daffodils mean joyousness and mirth. In Arabian countries, it is believed that daffodils can cure baldness and even can serve as an aphrodisiac. Wow!

In the United States, the yellow daffodil is a symbol of hope for a cure. It is the official symbol of the American Cancer Association.

Yellow is the color associated with the solar plexus chakra. This chakra has much to do with motivation and purpose. It is linked with the sun and the mantra, “I can”. It is the positive energy of change.

The ten sefirot or the Tree of Life of the Kabbalah comprise a complex energy system comparable to that of the chakras. In this system the two qualities of Netzach and Hod are partnered. Netzach represents the Divine quality of endurance, victory and harmony. Hod represents the integrity of the Divine, acceptance and compassion. They are illustrated as the legs of the body or the qualities we need in order to “stand up” as individuals. We can stand up and do our part to prevent the spread of Covid by following the health guidelines. With integrity and endurance we can stand up and do our part to support others.

“Daffodils are yellow trumpets of Spring”~Richard L. Ratliff

Almost 25% of adults in this country are vaccinated against Covid. The daffodil looks like a trumpet so it reminds us to “toot our own horns” in terms of getting the vaccine out.

“Love is the flower you have to let grow.”~John Lennon

Traditional daffodils have 6 petals. Six is a harmonic number and its vibrations expresses calm, truth and balance. It also conveys a sense of love and protection. These vibrations are needed now more than ever.
There is an energy in our daffodil garden. It is the energy of change and hope. The daffodil represents clarity and inner focus.

May I suggest trying a meditation, allowing the flower to be your anchor while focussing on the solar plexus chakra or on the two sefirot (Hod and Netzach) as they connect to the center of the Tree of Life. I practiced this on a day when I was anxious about the future. The practice was grounding and comforting for me.

The daffodil also reminds us to stay vigilant. This beautiful flower and symbol of rebirth is capable of returning after the harshest of winters. Let us keep the faith!

Finally, let us also keep in mind these words by Jack Kornfield:

“The heart is like a garden. It can grow compassion or fear, resentment or love. What seeds will you plant there?”

Many daffodil blessings to you.

References:

daffodils meaning, facts and care guide you should know. (morflora.com)
whats-your-sign.com-Symbolic Daffodil Meanings
Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss
Rabbi Robin Damsky, Limitless Judaism, Planting our Seeds, Planting Our Souls