In heathen mythology common plants were the emblem of a god, every tree was the abode of a nymph. The laurel was sacred to Apollo in memory of Daphne who was changed into a laurel while escaping his advances. The anemone, poppy and violet were dedicated to Venus, the narcissus and maidenhair fern to Prosperpine, the willow to Ceres. The lily was also sacred to Buddha and Brahma, the basil to Vishnu and the henna plant to Mahomet

When Christianity spread from land to land the early missionaries soon discovered that it was far easier not to attempt to eliminate entirely all the customs and rites of the pagan religions which they were attempting to supplant. Instead they included some aspects of them rather than take them over and adopted such of these as were not incompatible with their own faith. This happened many times with flowers and plants. Ivy was a plant dedicated to Bacchus; the Holly and the Yule log were associated with the early Druids yet all three were soon used in Christian festivals in England

Plants that had been sacred to or dedicated to Venus, or some other great female divinity, now became associated with Mary, Mother of Jesus, as were those formerly associated with Juno, Diana and the Teutonic Hulda and Bertha. The plant known in old Iceland as "Freyje's Heir" became Our Lady's Hair, and "Maria's fern" in England now is known as maidenhair. Its scientific name, Adiantum Capillus-Veneris, indicates that in more ancient times it was dedicated to Venus. A rose which is said to have been the favorite flower of Hulda now is called "Frau Rose" in Germany and "Mother rose" in England

This tendency is exemplified in other fields of natural history as well. In parts of Europe, the strawberry is considered sacred to the Virgin Mary, who is said to accompany children when they go strawberry-picking on St. John's Day. On that day no mother who has lost a child will eat a strawberry, lest her little one get none in Paradise

Over the years each flower has gained a certain meaning, for example a White Rose symbolises Truth, an Orchid is Beauty, Lily of The Valley is Return of Happiness, a Daisy is Innocence and a Red Carnation is a Broken Heart. Flowers are seldom bought today for there reasons, but some superstitions still persist, such as not mixing red and white flowers!

Flowers have had other uses as well as gifts and decoration. Flower have been used in cookery in many forms for centuries. Flowers are and have been the scent used in soap and essential oils as well. Perhaps one of their most usefull roles has been in medicine, the Bach Flower Remedies is just one example of their use in medicine today. However many modern medicines and drugs have derived from original flower recipes