June Birth Flower : Honeysuckle

If you are a June baby your birth flowers are the Rose and Honeysuckle. Roses are among the most recognizable flowers, often given as a sign of affection because they have long been a symbol of love. The honeysuckle, with its tubular flowers, is a magnet for hummingbirds and represents happiness and positive energy. This post is about the Honeysuckle, if you haven't already seen my earlier post about the Rose, you can read it here

image from google

The honeysuckle emerges in the spring with fragrant flowers that have four petals and grow in two pairs or clusters. Flowers, which are tubular, range in colour from white and yellow to purple, pink, and red. After the bloom is done, flowers are replaced with round berries that can be orange, red, or a shade of pink. Honeysuckles are native to the Northern Hemisphere, with certain species native to locations in China, Japan, Europe, India, and North America.

image from google

Honeysuckle Meanings and Symbolism

The name honeysuckle comes from the Middle English word honeysouke, which translates to “honey suck.” It is believed the name came from the ability to suck the sweet nectar straight from the flowers once picked.

The honeysuckle traditionally symbolized happiness and affection for a new love. It has also been known to represent nostalgia for first loves or old flames.

Honeysuckles were commonly planted near homes to create a feeling of nostalgia and honour those who had died. They are also meant to bring happiness and positive energy into one’s life. According to other legends, planting a honeysuckle near the home would keep away negativity and protect one from evil spirits.

Honeysuckle in History

• The Druids used symbols of honeysuckle in the Celtic alphabet to represent joy and happiness.
• A small plaque on the Anderson Memorial Bridge, near the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an ode to William Faulkner’s “The Sound and the Fury” character Quentin Compson. The plaque reads, “Quentin Compson III/June 2, 1910/Drowned in the odour of honeysuckle.”
• Honeysuckle has been used to treat a number of ailments—digestive disorders, respiratory issues, and headaches. Its uses also include treating arthritis, rashes, skin diseases, and even snakebites.
• In China, honeysuckle has been traditionally thought to remove toxins from the body and promote positive emotions.

A final three facts

The flowers of honeysuckle can be distilled to extract their aromatic oils. These oils are often used in perfumes, soaps, and other beauty products for their sweet and captivating fragrance.

In folklore and mythology, honeysuckle is often associated with love and devotion. It is believed to bring good fortune to those who have it growing in their garden, and its sweet scent is said to attract love and romance.

The dried flowers and leaves of honeysuckle are commonly used to make herbal teas. These teas are not only delicious but also provide a range of potential health benefits.

xxx oooo xxx

I hope you enjoyed reading this post. You may now like to read this one about 'Some Foods In Season During June' which also has some recipe suggestions - see here

All the best Jan