The tulip might be one of the most easily recognizable flowers, with its uniquely shaped and formed flowers and vibrant colours. As one of the most cultivated flowers in the world, the tulip has many colours and patters, but the basic shape remains the same, with the six petals around an open center. Available in red, pink, yellow, orange, white, and purple, there is a tulip for every occasion and sentiment, and as a popular flower in its own right, work well even as a ‘Just Because’ gift to brighten a special person’s day.
The origins of the tulip are unclear, although it is known that they were cultivated in the Middle East for a few millenia before they were brought to Europe in the 16th century. Lacking any Greek origin myths as is common for flowers, the tulip does feature one from Persia, about a man who was so distraught about the news of the death of his lover that he threw himself off of a cliff, and where he landed, the first tulips began to grow.
While many other flowers were cultivated for practical reasons in addition to their beauty, the tulip appears to have little pragmatic value, but its beauty alone was enough to spur a nigh economic crisis in 17th century Europe. Tulip bulb prices became vastly over-inflated, with single bulbs being traded for large sums of money or valuable property. By the time the governments attempted to correct the problem, the Dutch had figured out how to cultivate the flower itself instead of relying on bulbs from the Middle East, correcting the economic bubble. The tulip is now cultivated almost exclusively in Holland. Like the orchid, the tulip was a status symbol in the height of its popularity, and today remains a premium floral selection.
The name of the tulip is said to come from the Arabic dulband, for ‘turban,’ as it resembles this common wardrobe piece of the Middle East. In general, the tulip represents a perfect lover, and is the flower of Holland. The red tulip is a popular feature on romantic occasions such as Valentine’s Day and engagements, while pink tulips make a lovely present for a newborn girl. A mix of yellow and orange tulips would make a beautiful summertime gift. Explore the myriad varieties of the tulip, and this enchanting flower may soon become your favourite.
© Flowers Online.org.uk 2007.
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