Morning Glory Meaning
Morning glory flower meaning includes eternal love, rebirth, resilience, life, and love in vain. While their beauty is universal, morning glory meaning varies significantly across cultures, historical eras, and spiritual traditions. From ancient civilizations to contemporary literature and art, morning glories offer a rich tapestry of symbolism.
Origin of Morning Glory Meaning
Some aspects of morning glory meaning derive from Chinese mythology. Others are due to the psychedelic nature of morning glory seeds. Additional meanings stem from the botany of the flower itself. Modern morning glory meaning connects closely to the Victorian language of flowers, where morning glories are a symbol of undying love.
Morning Glory Flower Name
The morning glory is aptly named, as it blooms in the morning and dies by the afternoon. This symbolizes the cycle of life and rebirth. Likewise, the morning glory flower is resilient, rising each morning to face the challenges of a new day. Read on to discover more about the fascinating origins of morning glory meaning!
Share this page with a friend!
Legend of the Morning Glory
According to Chinese lore, Chien Niu was a boy star who was entrusted to take care of water buffalo in the heavenly kingdom. A girl star named Chih Neu was put in charge of seamstress duties. The two stars fell in love. Thus, morning glory meaning in this tradtion centers on love and devotion.Â
Star-Crossed Lovers
The romance between the two stars caused them to neglect their duties. In anger, God forced the young lovers to be separated on both sides of the Silver River and allowed them to meet only once during the whole year. In this sense, morning glories became emblems of a bittersweet love—a passion that must endure distance and hardship.
A Single Day When Lovers Meet
The star-shaped morning glory is symbolic of the single day each year in which the Chinese lovers, Chien Niu and Chih Neu, are allowed to meet. This lore is also connected to the fact that morning glory flowers last for only one day. They bloom in the morning and die by evening.
Morning Glory Meaning in Other Cultures
The seeds of the morning glory (particularly from the species Ipomoea tricolor and Ipomoea violacea) contain alkaloids similar to LSD. Aztec priests in Ancient Mesoamerica utilized these seeds in religious rituals to commune with gods and predict the future. The Aztecs called the morning glory by the name tlitliltzin, and they saw it as a sacred conduit between human consciousness and the divine world.
Morning Glory Symbolism in Japan
In Japan, morning glories (asagao, literally “morning face”) became popular during the Edo period (1603–1868). The Japanese cultivated numerous varieties, and the flowers often appeared in poetry, paintings, and kimonos as a symbol of summer’s ephemeral beauty and the fleeting nature of life.
Morning Glories in Victorian England
The Victorians had a highly codified “language of flowers.” In this system, morning glories conveyed a nuanced message depending on the social context. Gifting morning glories could represent a love that, while sincere, may be doomed or destined to fade. The flowers thus carried a sense of poignancy and romantic melancholy.
Morning Glory Spiritual Meaning
Morning glory seeds were used in Mexico in religious ceremonies to induce a dreamlike state. This was purported to allow one to better commune with the gods. The Mayans used the seeds in a beverage to bring about a state in which prophecy was possible.
Psychedelic Seeds of Morning Glory Flowers
As noted above, the seeds of morning glories contain lysergic acid amide (LSA). This is chemically similar to LSD. For this reason, the seeds are associated with hallucinations and strong psychedelic experiences. LSA is not a controlled substance, but there are potential side effects.Â
Danger of Morning Glories
Morning glories can be toxic and will cause nerve damage in large doses. Nausea, vomiting, anxiety, increased blood pressure and other impacts may occur when consumed in large quantities. Therefore, morning glory flower seeds are viewed as poisonous.
Morning Glory Meaning in Buddhism
The morning glory represents the path to enlightenment in the Buddhist tradition. The short lifespan of this colorful flower highlights the concept of “annata” or non-self. This is the idea that nothing is fixed or permanent. The fading morning glory emphasizes our own mortality, encouraging us to live in the moment with purpose and intention. In these ways, the morning glory is akin to the lotus flower.
Symbolism of Morning Glory Colors
The symbolism of morning glory flowers is also affected by their color. Morning glories come in blue, purple, red, pink, white, and yellow. Morning glories are a hardy vine indigenous to South America. They also grow well in England’s cool climate. This led to their popularity during the Victorian era. The flower now grows all over the world. In some places morning glory flowers can even be invasive.Â
Meaning of BLUE Morning Glory Flowers
Blue morning glories mean trust and respect. In the five elements of feng shui and other Eastern systems, blue is also associated with the water element. The color meanings of blue are related to freedom, strength and new beginnings. In addition, blue skies mean optimism and better opportunities. Blue is the top favorite color in the world!
Meaning of WHITE Morning Glory Flowers
White morning glories symbolize purity and innocence. White awakens creativity and stabilizes energy, giving a general boost that amplifies all other colors. Use white to give breathing space in your garden from the intensity of bright colors demanding attention.
Meaning of RED Morning Glory Flowers
Red morning glories represent passion and romance. In addition, the color red represents the will to win, love of sports, and the survival instinct. Red flowers are stimulating and eye-catching. The intensity of red flowers creates movement and drama. As a general principle, red flowers are warming, activating and energizing.
Meaning of PINK Morning Glory Flowers
Pink morning glories mean affection and thoughtfulness. Pink flowers symbolize love and healing from grief, anxiety, or emotional trauma. On the psychological level, pink eases anger and feelings of neglect. Pink can assist in alleviating emotional scars from past experiences. However, too much pink may result is hypersensitivity and emotionalism.
Meaning of PURPLE Morning Glory Flowers
Purple morning glories symbolize royalty and beauty. Purple and violet colors soothe the mind and nerves. Some color psychologists say purple helps to relieve tension and dissipate anger and violence. Violet is related to the psychological quality of transformation, transmutation, and the balance of power and love. Additional meanings include charisma, charm, magical abilities and tolerance.
Meaning of YELLOW Morning Glory Flowers
Yellow flowers are the heralds of spring. Sunshine yellow flower morning glory flowers symbolize the clearing away of the winter and stimulate clear thinking. The color meanings of yellow are enthusiasm, confidence, cheerfulness, sense of humor, fun, optimism and intellectuality. Yellow stimulates mental faculties as well as supporting the elimination system in the body. However, too much yellow may result in nervousness and a racing mind.
Morning Glory Medicinal Uses
Morning glories are known in China for their medicinal properties. The seeds are said to have a laxative effect. In Chinese traditional medicine, morning glories have been used to support the health of the lungs, kidneys, and large intestines. Morning glory seeds can act as a diuretic to reduce swelling and water retention. Morning glories have also been used to induce labor.
More Uses of Morning Glory Flowers
Native Americans used morning glories to make a tea to alleviate coughs and lung congestion. The leaves were used in powder form for stomach discomfort and headaches. Morning glory flowers can also be used to make wine. The flowers are soaked for about two weeks in cold water before the fermentation process begins.
Morning Glory Culinary Uses
Certain types of morning glories are edible. The water morning glory, also known as water spinach or swamp cabbage, can be eaten raw like lettuce. Although categorized as a noxious weed, the state of Texas allows water spinach to be grown for personal consumption.
Cooking with Morning Glory Flowers
The roots and stems are edible though not considered a delicacy. They can be eaten in small amounts if cooked. They are “famine foods.” Morning glory leaves can be used in stir-fry dishes to add variety and interest. Morning glories are part of the nightshade family along with potatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, and tobacco.
Morning Glories in Art and Literature
The morning glory has been a favorite subject in art due to its vibrant colors and elegant form. Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, famous for “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” also depicted morning glories in detailed woodblock prints, highlighting their association with the fleeting beauty of nature.
Morning Glories in Poetry and Prose
In literature, Emily Dickinson referenced morning glories in her poetry, using them as metaphors for ephemeral experiences and emotional intensity. In modern times, morning glories have appeared in contemporary novels and children’s stories, often symbolizing hope, new beginnings, or the resilience of nature.
Morning Glory Meaning in Music
Additionally, morning glories have a place in music. In 1995, the British band Oasis released an album titled (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, using the flower as a metaphor for the fleeting highs and melancholies of youth and fame.
More About Morning Glory Flowers
In ancient Mesopotamia over three thousand years ago, morning glory juice was used in combination with substance from the Castilla elastica tree to make a bouncing rubber ball.
Growing Morning Glory Flowers
Morning glory flowers are funnel-shaped and prefer full sun. Morning glories will grow in poor, dry soil. They are a vine flower and are highly useful for trellises where they reduce the heating and cooling costs of buildings.
Varieties of Morning Glories
There are thousands of morning glory varieties. Sweet potatoes are part of the same family. A few of the well-know morning glory flower varieties are Blue Morning Glory (Ipomoea Indica), Moonflowers (Ipomoea alba), and Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas).
More Flower Articles
MORNING GLORY MEANING ARTICLE SUMMARY
Morning glory meaning includes life, the impermanence of existence, and rebirth. With their delicate, trumpet-shaped blooms that unfurl at dawn and close by midday, morning glory flowers have long captured the human imagination.
Some meanings are derived from Chinese mythology. Other meanings stem from the fact that morning glories bloom for less than a day. Morning glory flower can also vary based on the flower color. Learn all about beautiful morning glories in this comprehensive article!
Author Kathleen Karlsen
Kathleen Karlsen is a musician, artist, writer and speaker. She is the author of two books (Flower Symbols and Vocal Medicine) and over 200 articles. Kathleen, her husband Andrew, and their five children live in Bozeman, Montana. More about Kathleen Karlsen.