Anemone is a delicate flower known by the name “Windflower” as well. Derived from the Greek word anemos meaning wind, Windflower is a symbolic name for the way that the wind blows its petals open as well as blowing the dead petals away. Defined by the wind, these delicate flowers can grow well almost anywhere in the world; be it Britain, Japan or Egypt. Wherever they are planted, they prefer loamy and slightly acidic soil. Moreover, they are also cultivated commercially throughout the world.
Depending on the type of anemone out of more than 150 kinds that are known, these flowers can bloom during spring, summer and autumn. Belonging to the buttercup family, they come in shades of white, pink, blue, violet and red while the most common colour happens to be white.
If a Windflower blooms well, the result is the shape of a cup. When it is totally opened by the wind, it resembles the shape of a star. Affected by the wind so easily, Windflowers are also very sensitive to the human touch. Due to their delicate petals, they have the risk of getting easily torn and damaged. Hence, they require extra gentleness.
As a popular flower in Britain, Windflower also possesses a special meaning that has originated during the Victorian times. Like many others, these flowers have been used to carry a particular message. Often times, Windflowers signaled the end of a love story or depicted the departure of a beloved one who was not to be expected to come back. Similarly, they also had a dramatic meaning in Greek mythology. According to the myths, Windflowers represented the mourning of Aphrodite after Adonis. When Aphrodite cried for her love, her tears formed Windflowers. Closely linked to the themes of death and mourning, it has also been believed that it was about to rain if windflowers closed their petals. Furthermore, these flowers were symbols of sickness in Egypt while in China they were called as the Flower of Death.
Despite the gloomy connotations, Windflowers have been embraced throughout the world, thanks to their beauty along with their medical benefits. Within the buttercup family, most of the species are actually poisonous. Even with their high doses of toxicity, these flowers have been actually used for treating health problems such as stomach aches, cramps, headaches and psychological distress. Many herbalists claim that the flavour of windflowers have a soothing effect and it can be especially useful in the times of anxiety or panic attacks.
These special flowers have been also used in creams for skin beauty since a long time. Especially Blue Anemone is known for being rich in kinetin and it has been a popular alternative for the beauty industry. The oil derived from the blue kinds is believed to eliminate wrinkles and blemishes while also creating a younger look.
Overall, with many different usages and symbolic meanings, Windflowers illustrate fragility and delicacy. Creating a nostalgic vibe, they are capable of growing wild across the whole world requiring a certain kindness and sensitivity.