With Dahlia’s layered petals and long-lasting blooms, it’s no wonder the Dahlia flower’s meaning and symbolism are rich and fascinating, varying by different flower colors and cultures. Given their beauty, it’s no surprise that Dahlia bouquets are so popular!
Depending on the color and location, the dahlia flower’s meaning can symbolize inner strength, positive change, and commitment. By combining different dahlia varieties, you can create a bouquet that perfectly conveys your message.
Join me in exploring the fascinating world of dahlia flower meaning and symbolism and uncover why, despite their lack of fragrance, they have been a garden favorite for over 150 years.
Dahlia Etymological meaning
Dahlias originate from Central America, with most species native to Mexico. Spanish physician Francisco Hernández first documented them in the 17th century, publishing illustrations and descriptions in 1651. However, they weren’t introduced to the scientific world until 1784, when Vicente Cervantes, director of the Botanical Garden in Mexico, sent tubers to J. A. Cavanilles at the Madrid Botanical Garden for study. Cavanilles later described the plant and officially named it Dahlia in honor of Anders Dahl. (1)
Dahl’s name also connects to the Swedish word “dal,” meaning valley, leading to the nickname valley flower. However, despite the name, dahlias don’t only grow in valleys, it’s a common misconception.
Dahlias are commonly recognized as the birth flower for August, though some traditions associate them with November instead.
Botanical Characteristics
Dahlias are tuberous perennials known for their vibrant, multi-petaled blooms. They belong to the Asteraceae family, which includes zinnias, daisies, sunflowers, dandelions, and asters. They have star-shaped flowers made up of many small florets. Each floret is a tiny flower, forming a central disc with petal-like rays around it. These flowers thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, blooming from mid-summer until the first frost.
Starting with the letter D, Dahlias plants vary in height, ranging from compact 12-inch varieties to towering 6-foot types. Their blooms come in a wide range of colors and sizes, from small, delicate pompons to large flowers size of dinner plate.
Dahlia Flower Meaning and Symbolism
In general, dahlias symbolize strength, elegance, and change. Their beautiful blooms represent resilience, inner grace, and commitment. See how different colors and varieties add unique meanings below.
Across cultures, dahlias are seen as symbols of new beginnings and personal growth, making them popular for celebrations, weddings, and milestones.
Their intricate, star-shaped blooms also represent creativity, standing out from the crowd, and following your own unique path.
The common Dahlia symbolizes staying graceful under pressure, especially in challenging situations.
In some cultures, dahlias represent diversity, as each petal blends harmoniously into the whole bloom.
Symbolism of Different Dahlia varieties
Different dahlia varieties carry unique symbolism based on their shape, size, and color. There are now more than 57,000 registered cultivars, however here’s what some of the most well-known types represent:
Pompon and ball dahlias represent grace and elegance, with their perfectly round, layered petals. Cactus dahlias, with their spiky, dramatic petals, symbolize creativity and individuality, standing out with their unique form.
Dinner plate dahlias are associated with boldness and confidence, as their large, showy blooms command attention. Anemone dahlias that remind us of roses, represent uniqueness and charm, featuring soft, frilled centers that add a delicate touch.
Single dahlias, with their open, daisy-like blooms, symbolize simplicity and purity, while collarette dahlias, with their small inner petals forming a collar around the center, represent warmth and generosity.
meaning and symbolism of other flowers
The meaning of the Dahlia Flower color
Purple Dahlia represents admiration, mystery, and spirituality. Purple dahlias are often associated with elegance and creativity.
Red Dahlia symbolizes passion, love, and strength. Red dahlias convey deep emotions and are often used to express romantic feelings.
Yellow and Orange Dahlias signify enthusiasm, vitality, and warmth, bringing energy and positivity to any arrangement.
Pink Dahlia Represents grace, kindness, and appreciation. Pink dahlias are often given to express gratitude and affection.
White Dahlia Flower Heads Symbolize purity, innocence, and new beginnings. White dahlias are often used in weddings and ceremonies to signify fresh starts.
Black Dahlia
Although rare, black dahlias are associated with mystery, elegance, and rebellion. They can evoke a sense of intrigue and individuality.
Symbolic Meaning of the Dahlia in Various locations around the world
Across the world, dahlias hold different meanings, but they consistently represent beauty, resilience, and devotion in various cultures.
Mexico
Dahlias are so beloved and native plants of Mexico that in 1963, the garden dahlia was declared Mexico’s national flower.
In Mexico, dahlias symbolize diversity, as each petal blends harmoniously into the whole bloom.
Today, people call Dahlias the “Queen of the Autumn Garden” because they continue blooming long after other flowers have faded.
Victorian Era (England & Europe)
When dahlias arrived in Europe, Victorian-era plant breeders developed large, decorative varieties. During this time, dahlias became a symbol of devotion, love, beauty, and dignity.
United States
In modern times, dahlias symbolize beauty, commitment, and kindness. They are also associated with steadfastness, as they continue to bloom long after many other flowers have withered.
Japan
In Japan, the dahlia represents elegance and grace. It is often associated with good taste, strength, and kindness, making it a popular choice for gifts and celebrations.
France
In France, dahlias were historically linked to betrayal and change, but today, they are more commonly seen as a symbol of elegance and inner strength.
Uses of Dahlia
The Aztecs used dahlias to treat epilepsy and used the long, hollow stems of D. imperialis to create water pipes. Europeans tried to introduce dahlia tubers as a food source, but this effort was largely unsuccessful.
In Oaxacan cuisine, the dahlia is recognized as a native ingredient, with several cultivars still cultivated for their large, sweet potato-like tubers. Dacopa, an intense mocha-flavored extract made from roasted tubers, is popular for flavoring beverages throughout Central America.
Medicine
Before the discovery of insulin in 1923, individuals with diabetes and those suffering from consumption were often given a substance known as Atlantic starch or diabetic sugar, derived from inulin, a naturally occurring fruit sugar extracted from dahlia tubers. Inulin is still used today in clinical tests to assess kidney functionality.
Dahlias in Culture
Established in 1936, the Bloemencorso Zundert is the largest flower parade in the world, entirely created by volunteers using dahlias. This annual event occurs on the first Sunday of September in Zundert, Netherlands. The floats are massive artworks constructed from steel wire, cardboard, papier-mâché, and flowers. Dahlias primarily decorate the floats, with thousands needed to cover each one. In total, around 8 million dahlias are required for the entire parade, with approximately 6 million grown in Zundert itself.
