Sunflower by Jane Ann Butler

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS

THE MEANING AND SYMBOLISM OF SUNFLOWER

Sunflowers turn to follow the sun.  Their open faces symbolize the sun itself, conveyingwarmth and happiness, adoration and longevity.  A distinctive and brilliant appearance makes it easy to see why sunflowers have long held our fascination, a unique combination of striking beauty and utility (providing oil and food).  The natives of the Inca Empire worshipped a giant sunflower and Incan priestesses wore large sunflower disks made of gold on their garments.  Images of sunflowers were found in the temples of the Andes mountains and Native American Indians placed bowls of sunflower seeds on the graves of their dead.  The impressionist period of art is famous for its fascination with the sunflower.  The 3rd wedding anniversary flower and the state flower of Kansas.