The kinship between flowers and women goes beyond the concept of beauty and romance. Flowers play an important role in giving women a voice when society tries to silence them. Dawning in the 17th century, women used a secret language of flowers to express themselves when buried under the power of the patriarchy.
Bookworms will agree that the fruits of women’s revolutions are vindicated in the creation of powerful female literary characters named after meaningful flowers. Young women (like me a few years ago) learn a lot from the lives of today’s famous fictional characters. Here are three young girls who proved that women are epic!
Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins)
Set in a post-apocalyptic, dystopian society, a powerful young woman emerges as the hero her family and country need. Katniss Everdeen is named after the katniss plant/flower. This name has an important role in her destiny as a fighter.
It lives up to its name by becoming a symbol of change in the cruel world: ending hunger and poverty. It’s no wonder Mom and Dad Everdeen called her Katniss since the flower’s roots, which taste like potatoes, are a staple food for Native Americans.
The Hunger Games is a game of life and death. Each tribute never hesitates to kill for the glory of being champion. Different district tributes have different abilities. Our girl from District 12, Katniss, is the best archer. Surprisingly, the katniss plant has a Latin name Sagittaria, after the archer of the zodiac, Sagittarius. To kill!
Lily Evans-Potter (JK Rowling’s Harry Potter)
Harry Potter’s first conversation with Professor Snape is immortalized with the professor’s question “What would I get if I added powdered asphodel root to a brew of wormwood?” In the language of flowers, Asphodel is a lily that means remembrance in death or after the grave. Potterheads know very well that Lily is Snape’s undying love, even after his death. Is always right?
Lilies symbolize not only purity, but also nurturing, motherhood, and lasting relationships. Like her namesake, she cared for and connected with Harry even when she was beyond the veil. Lily is more than being loved by a man. She is also a brave and loving mother to her son Harry. She died for him and continued to care for him.
Viola (William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night)
William Shakespeare once again created a fantastic character in the character of Viola. A sassy woman who dressed as her twin brother to work at the Duke court. As a survivor that she is, Viola defends the essence of the viola flower. This flower represents simplicity, but also vitality. In the midst of adversity, Viola strives to become the best woman she can be.
It’s a great time to be a woman!