Forgets-me-nots have several meanings like “friendship” and “memories.” These are matched to their beauty, I think. The most famous meaning is “forget me not.”
It is rare that the flower meaning and the name are the same and both origins came from the same legend of medieval Germany. I’ll explain this tragedy.
Medieval Germany tragety in meaning of forget-me-nots?
What kind of flowers are forget-me-nots?
Before I’m telling the story, I’ll give you some information about them. Forget-me-nots are n the genus Myosotis of the family Boraginaceae. Their origin of places is Europe and there are 50 kinds of them in the world. Though they are perennial flowering plants, they are annual flowering plants in Japan because they die out in summer. Colors of the flowers are white, purple, pink, besides the famous blue. Due to their flower shapes looking like a house mouse’s ears, they are also called myosotis the same as their scientific name.
The legend of lovers in medieval Germany
One day, a warrior named Rudolf walked with his girlfriend, Belta by the Danube River. She found a flower and he jumped into the river to get the flower for her. However, the river was faster than he thought. He got the flower, but was drowned into the river.
He knew that he could not survive, so he gave the flower to her and said “don’t forget me! (Vergiss-mein-nicht!)” She kept it on her head not forgetting him for whole her life. This is the famous legend related to forget-me-nots.
Before the legend have spread out, a tradition that holy blue flowers take people to treasure in grounds had been believed around the world. In Germany, this tradition had been believed too and helped the legend spread out.
“Forget-me-not” and “true love”
This story caused the name of forget-me-not (Vergissmeinnicht) and the flower meaning. They have another famous meaning of “true love.”
This came from an episode that Belta keep her virgin for her life with thinking of her boyfriend. This tragedy made two meanings. The legend was sang in his song by a poet, Platen(1796-1835)
Secret of English name “Forget-me-not”
The German name “Vergissmeinnicht” became English name “Forget-me-not.” However, a direct translation is “Don’t forget me.” How did the difference make? This is because “Forget-me-not” is not present English but English used in the medieval period (5 -15 centuries).
The meaning spread out around the world
Forget-me-nots are “Forget-me-nots” in most languages in the world. These are examples.
French→Ne m’oubliez pas
Spanish→Nomeolvides
Chinese→勿忘我草 meaning don’t forget me
As you can see, it can be said that they are the flowers showing love in most of countries in the world.
Japanese name
As I mentioned above, they are also called myosotis. They have another name in Japan and it is “Aimijin” because they have a bright beauty despite of their small flowers.
Other legends
I’ll tell one more story in addition to German legend. Once upon a longer and longer time,
Adam named flowers in the Garden of Eden. When he finished naming, a voice suddenly sounded under his foots. It said “what name can I get…?” Adam looked his foots and there was a small flower.
“How foolish I am, I forgot naming such a beautiful flower…..I gave the name of “Forget-me-not” not to forget anymore!” It was given the name by Adam. Which story do you prefer?
How did you like it? I talked about the legends and information about them. These still have been existed for a long time because people have loved and told these. I think it is not necessary to say “forget-me-not” because they are beautiful enough to keep in mind and will be loved by more people for a longer time.
Their season is March to May (April to July in cooler areas). I wish that you remember the information by finding them and enjoy looking their pretty looks.
Summary
Medieval Germany tragety in meaning of forget-me-nots?
What kind of flowers are forget-me-nots?
The legend of lovers in medieval Germany
“Forget-me-not” and “true love”
Secret of English name “Forget-me-not”
The meaning spread out around the world
Japanese name
Other legends