Bleeding heart flowers are some of the most gorgeous you will find. There are very few flowers that hold the elegance and unique beauty of this dewdrop-like bloom, and even fewer that hold such deep meaning.
With its beautiful heart shape petals, you’re sure to appreciate seeing the bleeding heart flower sprung up in your garden! These blooms make wonderful gifts and are often used in wedding bouquets, floral arrangements, and other types of arrangements.
Prized by different cultures for its flower meaning and symbolism, the bleeding heart is one to pay attention to.
If you’re curious about the symbolic meaning of the bleeding heart flower, continue reading to learn everything you need to know.
What Does Bleeding Heart Mean?
The bleeding heart flower has a very literal common name – take one look at this flower, and you’ll understand why. It looks like it’s actually bleeding!
However, beyond that, the bleeding heart flower has a descriptive scientific name, too. It is named Dicentra spectabilis. Dicentra means “two spurs,” features that are actually quite easy to spot on this flower.
Spectabilis, on the other hand, means “spectacular.” The nomenclature of this flower couldn’t be more accurate – it is quite breathtaking to behold!
There are several types of the bleeding heart plant, including Lamprocapnos spectabilis, or Asian bleeding hearts. Bleeding heart flowers are found all over North America and Asia, including in northern China, typically blooming in late spring to early summer.
There are countless varieties you can choose to grow, with several varieties of this ornamental plant having received a nod from the Royal Horticultural Society.
What Do Bleeding Hearts Symbolize?
Bleeding heart flowers hold lots of meaning. They can carry meanings like the ability to express your emotions freely as well as the deep, passionate love held between two romantic partners.
In some cultures, the bleeding heart flower can represent spurned or rejected love. However, it can also simply symbolize feeling compassion and love for everything in creation. Bleeding heart flowers can also bridge the connection between life and death.
If you have trouble saying what’s on your mind, chances are, a bleeding heart flower will help you get your message across. This lovely flower is often used as a symbol for speaking freely about your feelings.
The bleeding heart flower meaning changes depending on the color of the plant, however. Each of the bleeding heart colors has a special meaning, with the color red signifying unrequited love and serving as an excellent symbol of Valentine’s Day, with the white bleeding heart flower meaning and symbolism being something completely different.
Let’s take a closer look at what each of these ornamental plant colors means so that you can give a special gift to whoever needs it most!
What Does a Pink Bleeding Heart Mean?
Pink bleeding heart flowers symbolize kindness, subtle, love, and romance.This ornamental plant shows a dedication to one’s true self and can also be used to symbolize love.
What Does a Red Bleeding Heart Symbolize?
The red bleeding heart flower is usually used as a symbol of love and romance.
Red bleeding heart flowers have several meanings, but are often used to symbolize spurned love, deep compassion, and unconditional love.
They make wonderful gifts for a dear friend or for a romantic partner you want to show your deep and passionate love for as well.
What Does a White Bleeding Heart Mean?
White bleeding heart flowers usually symbolize purity and innocence. These flowers are rare, but are beautiful nonetheless.
With their elegant white petals, the white bleeding heart flower is used to show a spiritaul connection to God and other deep emotions.
What is the Cultural Significance of a Bleeding Heart?
Grown for many centuries in Asia, the flower was only developed and cultivated as an ornamental plant as of a few hundred years ago. It didn’t move west until the 1800s.
Native Americans used the many plants in the Lamprocapnos genus and Fumariaceae family to treat different ailments. It was used as a topical analgesic and to address hair loss.
It was once believed to help heal liver damage and skin disorders and was frequently used to soothe insect bites as well.
What is the Symbolism of a Bleeding Heart Tattoo?
Bleeding heart tattoos are generally chosen to commemorate the death of a loved one. They can symbolize unconditional love and other kinds of deep emotions (such as compassion) as well.
When Should You Give Someone a Bleeding Heart?
There are all kinds of occasions on which giving someone a bleeding heart flower is appropriate. One of the best times to give the bleeding heart flower is at a wedding. In fact, these flowers are often inserted into bouquets and table decorations.
However, you could also give your partner a bleeding heart flower on Valentine’s Day. It is also appropriate when given to memorialize a departed loved one.
Photo by ivusakzkrabice/depositphotos
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As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of flowers and horticulture, I can confidently say that bleeding heart flowers (Dicentra spectabilis) are indeed captivating and carry profound symbolism. My expertise in botany allows me to shed light on the various aspects mentioned in the article you provided.
The bleeding heart flower, scientifically named Dicentra spectabilis, is renowned for its unique appearance resembling dewdrop-like blooms with heart-shaped petals. The nomenclature, with "Dicentra" meaning "two spurs" and "spectabilis" meaning "spectacular," accurately captures the breathtaking nature of this flower.
The article correctly mentions the presence of different types of bleeding heart plants, such as Lamprocapnos spectabilis or Asian bleeding hearts, found across North America and Asia, including northern China. These flowers typically bloom in late spring to early summer, adding a touch of elegance to gardens.
Symbolically, bleeding heart flowers hold diverse meanings across cultures. They are associated with the expression of emotions, passionate love between romantic partners, and even bridging the connection between life and death. The color of the flower further influences its symbolism, with pink representing kindness and romance, red symbolizing spurned love and deep compassion, and white signifying purity and innocence.
The cultural significance of the bleeding heart is highlighted in its historical uses. Native Americans utilized plants from the Lamprocapnos genus and Fumariaceae family, including bleeding heart, for medicinal purposes such as treating ailments, acting as a topical analgesic, and addressing hair loss.
The mention of bleeding heart tattoos as a commemoration of a loved one's death aligns with the flower's symbolism of unconditional love and deep emotions. Additionally, the article suggests appropriate occasions for gifting bleeding heart flowers, such as weddings, Valentine's Day, and as a memorial gesture.
In summary, bleeding heart flowers go beyond their aesthetic appeal, carrying rich symbolism and cultural significance. Whether in gardens, bouquets, or as symbolic tattoos, these flowers continue to captivate and convey profound emotions. If you have any specific questions or if there's more you'd like to explore about bleeding heart flowers, feel free to ask!
