Flowers in Russian Culture
Flowers are a staple item in the gift-giving world. For many of us, it usually does not matter which blossoming bunch we receive. Flowers are a thoughtful gesture of good will, as long as they produce a pleasant aroma and a visually pleasing colour palette.
The Russians are practically no different, and similarities exist regarding using flowers as a token of expressing love and affection. It is always heartwarming to receive flowers. However, flower-gifting in Russia has some unique traditions. Flower etiquette, in Russia is strictly guided by a range of rules depending on the setting. For instance, the kinds of flowers gifted in a romantic setting differ immensely from those gifted when visiting a Russian home. If flowers are gifted outside these rules, it is possible to offend the receiver.
Red carnations are filled with a deep sense of patriotism. The origins of this symbolism reside in the 1917 February Revolution. The Russian Social Democratic Workers' Party of Bolsheviks had produced masses of cardboard pins designed like red carnations. These badges gained widespread popularity and became symbol of a resistance against the Russian Provisional Government.
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Contrasting to the victorious symbols of red carnations, white carnations represent bad omens. The washed-out petals are believed to strip holders off good luck and talent. Therefore, white carnations should not be given as gifts to performers. On the other hand, Russians believe that placing a white carnation under your pillow while you sleep leaves you inspired upon waking the next morning.
In Russia, red poppy flowers symbolise weakness and fleeting love. Consequently, giving a red poppy to a loved one contradicts the desire for a long, healthy relationship. Interestingly, however, poppy seeds are viewed differently. At traditional Russian weddings, poppy seed is often eaten as a symbol of happiness for a married couple. Sometimes, the seeds are placed in the bride and groom's shoes as a symbol of procreation.
In many cultures, yellow is a bright and happy colour that symbolises friendship. However, in Russian culture, yellow flowers symbolise sadness and dishonesty. Therefore, giving a bunch of yellow flowers to a beloved one represents an inevitable break-up. This is most famously represented in the break-up song called 'yellow tulips.'
Chamomile is the national flower of Russia. Its slender white petals encapsulate a bright yellow centre. Russians believe that chamomile, in the form of tea and aromatherapy, offers a vast range of medical benefits in treating fatal diseases from cancer to diabetes.
A lesser-known belief suggests that the chamomile is a mosquito and fly repellent - another protective quality beyond that of fatal diseases. Throwing a bunch of these white and yellow flowers into a fire is believed to deter irritating insects.
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Amongwomen, chamomileholdsa fortune-telling function. The self-murmured pattern of 'he loves me, he loves me not' is repeated until the last dainty petal is plucked. A similar fortune-telling function is served by the Lily of the Valley flower. Each lily petal is plucked with the inner monologue of the holder following an 'it will happen. won't happen' pattern.
The white calla lily is an elegant flower that would pair nicely with a snowy wedding dress. However, bringing a white lily bouquet to a Russian wedding would not pair so nicely with the responses you would receive from other attendees. These flowers symbolise death and are believed to foreshadow the split of the newly-wed couple.
A. Find out the single words for the following meanings.
a. a strong, usually pleasant smell- aroma |
b. different colours of paint, especially as used by an artist-palette |
c. to a great degree- immensely |
d. lasting only a short time-fleeting |
e. the act or process of producing children or baby animals-procreation |
f. enclose (something) in or as if in a capsule-encapsulate |
g. a type of treatment which involves massaging the body with special fragrant oils aromatherapy |
h. causing to be kept away-repellent |
i. to be a sign of something that will happen in the future-foreshadow |
B. Words like gift-giving, heartwarming, cardboard, etc., are compound words. Make a list of such compound words from the text.
Red carnations |
White carnations |
Goodwill |
Visually pleasing |
Flower etiquette |
Red poppy |
Break-up |
White calla lily |
Snowy wedding |
Lily of the Valley |
Russian wedding |
National flower |
Bright yellow |
Fatal diseases |
C. Complete the sentences below with the correct information from the text.
a. People do not care which flowers they are receiving as long as the flowers are beautiful |
and they give a pleasant aroma |
b. Flowers are gifted worldwide to express love and affection |
c. Following the strict flower etiquette while gifting flowers in Russia saves you from |
offending people. |
d. Red carnations symbolize the 1917 February Revolution produced by the Russian Social Democratic Workers' Party of Bolsheviks. |
e. Russian people believe that the white carnation symbolizes bad omens so, we should not gift them to performers. |
f. Russian people do not gift red puppy flowers to their beloved ones because they think if they do so their love becomes weak |
g. When Russians want break-up from their beloved ones they gift a bunch of yellow flowers |
h. Chamomiles have medicinal values so they can be used for the treatment of fatal diseases. |
i. We should not gift a white lily bouquet in a Russian wedding as it symbolizes death |
D. Answer these questions
a. Mention any two reasons for which people gift flowers to others. |
Answer: People gift flowers to others as a gesture of goodwill and to express love and affection. |
b. How do people feel when they are gifted flowers? |
Answer: People feel happy and appreciated when they are gifted flowers. |
c. What determines the selection of flowers for gifting in Russia? |
Answer: The selection of flowers for gifting in Russia is determined by specific rules and traditions depending on the occasion or setting. |
d. Which event in Russian history is reflected by the red carnation? |
Answer: The red carnation reflects the 1917 February Revolution in Russian history. |
e. Does a Russian like to keep a white carnation under his her pillow? Why? |
Answer: No, a Russian does not like to keep a white carnation under their pillow because it is believed to bring bad luck and strip holders of good luck and talent. |
f. What's the reason for connecting the red puppy with fragile love? |
Answer: The red poppy is connected with fragile love because it symbolizes weakness and fleeting love in Russian culture. |
g. What makes the Russian people eat red puppy seeds in their wedding? |
Answer: Russian people eat red poppy seeds in their weddings as a symbol of happiness and procreation. |
h. Do you prefer to grow chamomile in your garden? Why? |
Answer: Yes, I prefer to grow chamomile in my garden because it has various uses, such as for medicinal purposes and as a mosquito repellent. |
i. What colour is chamomile? |
Answer: Chamomile is white in color. |
j. Write the names of two flowers used for fortune telling. |
Answer: Two flowers used for fortune-telling are chamomile and Lily of the Valley. |
k. Which flower is mostly used in Russian weddings? |
Answer: Chamomile is a flower that is commonly used in Russian weddings. |
Word Meaning
Word |
staple /ˈsteɪpəl/ |
essential, basic, fundamental |
Something that is considered necessary or important |
blossoming /ˈblɑːsəmɪŋ/ |
blooming, flowering |
The process of a flower opening and developing |
gesture /ˈdʒestʃər/ |
sign, indication, expression |
A movement or action that expresses an idea or feeling |
pleasant /ˈplɛznt/ |
enjoyable, pleasing, agreeable |
Giving a feeling of happiness or satisfaction |
aroma /əˈroʊmə/ |
fragrance, scent, smell |
A pleasant or distinctive smell |
colour-palette /ˈkʌlər ˈpælɪt/ |
range of colors, color scheme |
The range of colors used in a particular setting or artwork |
heartwarming /ˈhɑːrtˌwɔːrmɪŋ/ |
comforting, uplifting, touching |
Something that makes you feel happy and emotionally satisfied |
etiquette /ˈɛtɪkɪt/ |
manners, protocol, decorum |
The customary code of polite behavior in a society or group |
immensely /ɪˈmɛnsli/ |
extremely, greatly, enormously |
To a very great extent or degree |
offend /əˈfɛnd/ |
insult, hurt, upset |
To cause someone to feel hurt, upset, or annoyed |
patriotism /ˈpeɪtriətɪzəm/ |
love of country, nationalism |
Love and loyalty towards one's country |
symbolism /ˈsɪmbəˌlɪzəm/ |
representation, meaning, emblem |
The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities |
reside /rɪˈzaɪd/ |
exist, dwell, live |
To have one's permanent home or place of residence |
masses /ˈmæsɪz/ |
large numbers, crowds, multitude |
A large number of people or things |
cardboard /ˈkɑrdˌbɔrd/ |
thick paper, pasteboard |
A thick, stiff paper used for making boxes and other items |
badges /ˈbædʒɪz/ |
insignia, emblem, symbol |
A small piece of metal, cloth, or plastic worn on clothing |
widespread /ˈwaɪdˌsprɛd/ |
common, prevalent, extensive |
Existing or happening over a large area or among many people |
carnations /kɑrˈneɪʃənz/ |
flowers, blooms |
A type of flower with colorful petals |
patriotism /ˈpeɪtriətɪzəm/ |
love of country, nationalism |
Love and loyalty towards one's country |
symbolism /ˈsɪmbəˌlɪzəm/ |
representation, meaning, emblem |
The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities |
reside /rɪˈzaɪd/ |
exist, dwell, live |
To have one's permanent home or place of residence |
strip /strɪp/ |
remove, take off, peel |
To remove or take off the outer covering or layer |
omen /ˈoʊmən/ |
sign, indication, portent |
An event or phenomenon that is believed to be a sign of the future |
contradict /ˌkɑntrəˈdɪkt/ |
oppose, conflict with, go against |
To be in conflict with or oppose something |
inevitable /ɪnˈɛvɪtəbəl/ |
unavoidable, certain, inescapable |
Certain to happen or occur, unavoidable |
fatal /ˈfeɪtəl/ |
deadly, lethal, mortal |
Causing or capable of causing death |
repellent /rɪˈpɛlənt/ |
deterrent, discouraging, off-putting |
Something that keeps away or deters |
deter /dɪˈtɜr/ |
discourage, prevent, hinder |
To discourage or prevent someone from doing something |
self-murmured /sɛlf ˈmɜrmərd/ |
whispered to oneself, murmured |
Speaking or whispering quietly to oneself |
dainty /ˈdeɪnti/ |
delicate, exquisite, pretty |
Small and pretty in a delicate way |
plucked /plʌkt/ |
picked, pulled, removed |
To remove or take something quickly or abruptly |
foreshadow /ˈfɔrˌʃædoʊ/ |
predict, anticipate, presage |
To be a warning or indication of something that will happen |
split /splɪt/ |
divide, separate, break |
To separate or divide into parts or pieces |
Extra Questions to Practice
Expandable FAQ Section
Why do people gift flowers to others?
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People gift flowers to others to show love and affection, and as a thoughtful gesture of goodwill.
How do people feel when they receive flowers as a gift?
▼
People feel happy and appreciated when they receive flowers as a gift.
What determines the selection of flowers for gifting in Russia?
▼
The selection of flowers for gifting in Russia is determined by specific rules and traditions depending on the occasion or setting.
What event in Russian history is reflected by the red carnation?
▼
The red carnation reflects the 1917 February Revolution in Russian history.
Why shouldn't a Russian keep a white carnation under their pillow?
▼
A Russian shouldn't keep a white carnation under their pillow because it is believed to bring bad luck and take away good luck and talent.
Why is the red poppy connected with fragile love?
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The red poppy is connected with fragile love because it symbolizes weakness and short-lived love in Russian culture.
Why do Russian people eat red poppy seeds at weddings?
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Russian people eat red poppy seeds at weddings as a symbol of happiness and the wish for the couple to have children.
What color is chamomile?
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Chamomile is white in color.
Write name two flowers used for fortune-telling?
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Two flowers used for fortune-telling are chamomile and Lily of the Valley.
Which flower is commonly used in Russian weddings?
▼
Chamomile is commonly used in Russian weddings.
What is the significance of flowers in gift-giving?
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Flowers are significant in gift-giving as they symbolize love, affection, and goodwill.
How are red carnations linked to Russian patriotism?
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Red carnations are linked to Russian patriotism because they were used as symbols of resistance during the 1917 February Revolution.
Why should white carnations not be given as gifts to performers?
▼
White carnations should not be given as gifts to performers because they are believed to strip holders off good luck and talent.
What do yellow flowers symbolize in Russian culture?
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In Russian culture, yellow flowers symbolize sadness and dishonesty.
What is the national flower of Russia?
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The national flower of Russia is chamomile.
What is the belief about chamomile's medical benefits in Russia?
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Chamomile is believed to offer a wide range of medical benefits in treating diseases from cancer to diabetes in Russia.
How are chamomile flowers used to repel insects?
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Chamomile flowers are believed to be a mosquito and fly repellent when thrown into a fire.
How do people use chamomile for fortune-telling?
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People use chamomile for fortune-telling by plucking petals and murmuring phrases like 'he loves me, he loves me not.'
Why are white calla lilies not suitable for Russian weddings?
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White calla lilies are not suitable for Russian weddings because they symbolize death and may suggest a potential separation for the newly-wed couple.
What does the phrase 'yellow tulips' refer to?
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The phrase 'yellow tulips' refers to a breakup song.
Why are red poppy seeds eaten at traditional Russian weddings?
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Red poppy seeds are eaten at traditional Russian weddings as a symbol of happiness and the hope for the couple to have children.
What do yellow flowers symbolize in many cultures, but not in Russian culture?
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In many cultures, yellow flowers symbolize friendship, but in Russian culture, they symbolize sadness and dishonesty.
What can chamomile tea be used for?
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Chamomile tea can be used for various purposes, including relaxation, promoting sleep, and soothing upset stomachs.
Write name a flower associated with fragility and fortune-telling in Russian culture?
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Lily of the Valley is a flower associated with fragility and fortune-telling in Russian culture.