16 April: Anemones

In the French Revolutionary Calendar, 16 April is Anémone (Day of the Anemone). 10 facts about anemones.

1. Anemones are part of the Ranunculaceae family, which means they are related to Buttercups. They’re also closely related to the Pasque flower.

2. There are over 120 species of anemone. They grow in the wild in many European countries and in North America and Japan.

3. The word anemone comes from Greek and means ‘daughter of the wind’. In fact, windflower is another common name for them.

4. Or, it could have come from Nea'man, the Phoenician name for Adonis. A myth about Adonis is the creation story for these flowers. According to Ovid's epic poem Metamorphoses, Adonis was killed by Ares the hunter in a fit of jealousy because he’d found out Aphrodite had feelings for him. Aphrodite mixed the Blood of Adonis with nectar and this, mixed with her tears, created the flower.

5. In the language of Flowers, the colour of the flower makes a difference. White anemone symbolises sincerity; Purple means protection from evil and Red is associated with death or forsaken love. In Christianity, red anemones symbolise the blood of Christ and they’re often depicted in paintings of the crucifixion or of The Virgin Mary in mourning. The Chinese associate red anemones with death as well.

6. In parts of Europe, anemones were believed to be such bad luck that people would hold their breath while passing through a field of them so as not to bring misfortune on themselves.

7. Britain and Ireland have a more positive legend – that Fairies would sleep inside them when the petals closed at night.

8. The petals not only close at night but when a storm is coming, so they can be used to predict the weather.

9. Anemones are sometimes used in medicine as a treatment for cramps, menstrual problems and emotional distress. That said, the plants are toxic, so no self-medication, please!

10. Monet and Matisse are among many artists who often featured these flowers in their paintings. One example is Robe violette et Anémones, a 1937 painting by Henri Matisse.

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