“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” – Mark Twain
Delicate 5 petal shaped flowers are Violets. Described as the most virtuous and dainty in the flower kingdom. Signifying modesty, humility, and faithfulness. Folklore suggests that the violet reflects a love that is delicate. Valentine’s Day has been championed using the violet and however has now been replaced by the rose!
The word ‘violet’ comes from the Latin name ‘viola’, meaning wayside. Boasting their colours of purple, pink, white and yellow on the edge of many roadsides. Symbol of ancient Athens and also Napoleon Bonaparte’s favourite flower. The violet is the state flower of New Jersey, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Rhode Island.
We mainly make perfumes using the Victoria and Parma Violets. Evoking an earthy and also powdery scent when referring to the flower and green, metallic and aqueous for the leaves. Today we use synthetic violets in oriental spicy, fougere and fresh floral compositions.
Violets are in fact edible; applied as pretty decoration in salads, desserts, and cocktails. The Greek and Chinese use violets in cough syrups to ease congestion and violet tea offers large doses of vitamin A and C. Romans and Greeks often associated violets with death and funerals. Routinely scattered around tombs as symbols of innocence and modesty. Violets are still considered a symbol of good luck for women and dreaming of them is said to indicate impending success and achievement.
A beautiful legacy of the violet flower is that they are still considered a symbol of good luck for women, and dreaming of violets is said to indicate impending success and achievement.