Let’s uncover the meaning and symbolism of the hibiscus flower and explore what the different colors of hibiscus bloom mean. Have you ever wondered why hibiscus is a wonderful choice for anyone wanting to add a Hawaiian tropical vibe?
While I love using edible flowers in various projects, from DIY skincare to delicious desserts, syrups, or jams, I also enjoy delving into their meaning and symbolism. These meanings, deeply rooted in culture and tradition, often carry hidden messages. For instance, we’ve uncovered why bluebells are called fairy flowers and why poppies are often sown in graveyards.
Join me on this exciting journey to explore the hibiscus flower’s meaning and symbolism, with its exotic touch of Hawaii and tropical charm.
Hibiscus Characteristics
Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. There are hundreds of species thriving in warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions around the world. Famous for their large, eye-catching blooms, these plants are commonly called “hibiscus” or sometimes “rose mallow.”
These plants that start with the letter H plants grow as annuals, perennials, woody shrubs, or even small trees.
The name Hibiscus comes from the Greek word hibiskos (ἰβίσκος), which ancient Greek physician Dioscorides used to refer to the plant Althaea officinalis, a member of the mallow family. Over time, the name was adopted for the hibiscus genus, which includes several hibiscus species.
Interesting facts about hibiscus
If you are a gardener and want to have a garden full of beautiful flowers, I recommend Hibiscus syriacus and Ibiscus rosa-sinensis for their beautiful, vibrant flowers.
However, if you want to grow this plant to make hibiscus tea, go for Hibiscus sabdariffa. The tea contains vitamin C and is known for its distinctive red color and spicy flavor. According to WebMD hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure and reduces cholesterol levels.
Want to bring hummingbirds to your garden? Plant red hibiscus flowers.
And if you want to attract butterflies and moths, hibiscus vibrant blooms in any color will do the trick, as their caterpillars often feed on the plant.
What Hibiscus Flower symbolizes
Depending on the culture of the beholder, Hibiscus can symbolize beauty, feminity, charm, youth, first love and the shortness of life.
Beauty and Delicate Charm – Hibiscus is often associated with delicate beauty and grace, especially in Hawaiian symbolism.
Check these inspiring Hibiscus Quotes.
Happiness and Joy – In many cultures, the hibiscus represents happiness, joy, and the simple pleasures of life.
Femininity and Love – The hibiscus is a feminine flower that can symbolize femininity, love, and passion, especially the red variety.
Respect and Admiration – In some parts of the world, gifting a hibiscus flower conveys admiration and respect. Especially In North America, a hibiscus blossom means a perfect wife or woman.
In China, hibiscuses symbolize the fleeting beauty of fame or personal glory, like cherry blossoms. Since the flowers bloom for only a short time, they represent the transient nature of life and the impermanence of worldly success.
Tropical Beauty – In Hawaii and other tropical regions, hibiscus is closely linked to the exotic and vibrant beauty of the islands.
In India, red hibiscus flowers are often associated with the goddess Kali and is used in spiritual offerings. It symbolizes devotion, courage, and the cycle of life and death.
Hibiscus plant meaning in Hawaiian Culture
The yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei), or maʻo hau hele, is Hawaii’s state flower. It symbolizes the islands’ beauty and heritage. It became the official flower in 1988, though it’s not native to Hawaii. This replaced the red hibiscus (Hibiscus kokio), Hawaii’s first state flower, which is native. Fame is fleeting.
In addition, The hibiscus flower is featured in the logo of Hawaiian Airlines, symbolizing the beauty, warmth, and tropical spirit of Hawaii.
in Hawaiian culture, Hibiscus flowers symbolize exotic and delicate beauty, personal glory, grace, and femininity.
People admire the hibiscus for its beauty, and it represents Pele, the goddess of love and beauty.
Hawaiian girls sometimes wear Hibiscus flower behind the left or right ear, in order to reveal their relationship status in public.
- On the left side indicates that the person is married or unavailable.
- On the right side signals that the person is single and open to meeting someone.
In Hawaiian Tradition, Hibiscus flowers symbolize hospitality, and gifting one to visitors represents a warm welcome.
Hibiscus Flower meaning in Victorian times
In Victorian times, hibiscus flowers held special meaning as part of the popular “language of flowers,” or floriography. This practice assigned symbolic messages to flowers, allowing people to communicate feelings and emotions discreetly through floral arrangements.
The hibiscus petal was seen as a symbol of delicate beauty and a refined, fleeting charm. Giving someone a hibiscus flower conveyed admiration for their graceful, elegant, or fragile beauty.
Each bloom color is associated with a specific symbolism
Hibiscus is a great choice for anyone who appreciates a tropical look or loves the Hawaiian vibe. It comes in a range of colors, each symbolizing something different.
Pink Hibiscus
Pink hibiscus stands for gentle love, admiration, and femininity. It is a versatile gift, given to both men and women to show appreciation or affection.
red Hibiscus
Red hibiscus makes a great gift symbolizing romance or passion.
yellow Hibiscus
yellow Hibiscus stands for friendship, happiness, and joy.
It’s a cheerful choice for spreading positivity.
white color meaning
White flowers were used in various cultures for ceremonies, weddings, and religious rituals to symbolize new beginnings and divine blessings. These flowers are often associated with purity, innocence, and spiritual connection and
Hibiscus Flower Tatoo meaning
A hibiscus flower tattoo often symbolizes beauty, grace, and femininity,
Red hibiscus tattoos are frequently associated with love, passion, and desire, symbolizing romantic feelings.
The flower’s connection to tropical or exotic lifestyles also makes it a symbol of adventure, travel, and nature.
Hibiscus tattoos can represent the fleeting nature of life, as the flower blooms for only a short time, reminding the wearer to appreciate life’s transient moments.
In some cultures, the hibiscus signifies strength, resilience, and healing, making it a powerful choice for someone who has overcome challenges.
Additionally, the hibiscus can symbolize spirituality, purity, or devotion, particularly in religious or spiritual tattoos.
