The Amazing Marigold - From Love Charms to Chicken Feed

Marigolds are a fascinating flower with a wide variety of uses and symbolic meanings in different cultures. Marigolds are commonly known as the "Herb of the Sun" and are generally symbolic of passion and creativity. The various meanings and uses of marigolds make an intriguing botanical study.

The Welsh believed that if marigolds were not open early in the morning, then a storm was on the way. Marigolds have also been used as love charms and incorporated into wedding garlands. Water made from marigolds was once thought to induce psychic visions of fairies if rubbed on the eyelids. In some cultures, marigold flowers have been added to pillows to encourage prophetic or psychic dreams.

The marigold is also associated with the lion and the astrological sign Leo. In addition, early Christians named the flower "Mary's Gold" and offered the blossoms in place of money at the foot of statues of Mother Mary. The Portuguese introduced marigolds into India. Eventually the flower was offered to the Hindu gods Vishnu and Lakshmi. The marigold was also considered to be sacred among the Aztec Indians, who decorated their temples with the flower.

The marigold was once thought to protect against the plague and to be effective in stopping gossip. Interestingly, the marigold can also symbolize cruelty and jealousy. When used in combination with spells, however, the marigold is an anti-dote for the sharp-tongued and promotes cheery conversations.

Marigolds can be found in Europe, Africa and the Americas. Marigolds can adapt to a wide range of conditions, but prefer full sun and rich soils. The marigold is a hardy plant, usually with yellow, orange or rusty red blooms. Marigolds have what many people consider to be a disagreeable odor. Some varieties have been bred to be odor-free, but this negates their use as a plant that wards off insects in gardens. Marigolds are grown from seeds and range in height from 6 to 36 inches. The blossoms can be from 1/2 inch to 5 inches across.

The uses of marigolds vary widely in the different locales where marigolds grow. For example, in some places the leaves of marigolds have been used to remove warts. Marigolds are also grown and harvested in Mexico to be added to chicken feed. Chickens eating marigold-enriched feed produce eggs with a deep yellow color. The flesh of chickens fed marigolds also take on a rich color to make them more appealing for human consumption. The marigold blossoms are quite edible for humans, too, and are often used in egg and cheese dishes. The blossoms also make a yellow dye for fabric.

This amazing flower comes in such a wide variety of sizes and colors that there is sure to be a marigold to suit any garden. Marigolds also do well as cut flowers. In addition to their use in summer bouquets, the common orange, red and rust colors are perfect for autumn arrangements. Make sure to enjoy marigolds this year both outdoors and indoors!

Kathleen Karlsen, MA is an artist, writer and design consultant residing in Bozeman, Montana. Kathleen is best known for her contemporary impressionism style and her colorful forest, landscape and flower paintings. Kathleen's original art and fine art gifts can be seen at http://www.livingartsoriginals.com For an extensive article about flower symbolism see http://www.livingartsoriginals.com/infoflowersymbolism.htm To see a selection of Kathleen's flower paintings, please visit http://www.livingartsoriginals.com/originalfloralart.htm