In a Field of Sunflowers
I recently visited some enormous sunflower fields at Alstede farms here in Chester, New Jersey. We also planted some in our garden.
What can I say…JOY!!!!!!
“Miles and miles of golden green. Where the sunflowers blow in a solid glow.”
Robert Browning
As summer closes, let’s reflect on images and historical symbolism of these glorious floral QUEENS!
Adoration, Strength & Vitality
Did you know that the sunflower is the only flower to follow the sun? Others open for the sun and may favor it, but the sunflower is special.
Young sunflowers with tightly closed flower heads twist and turn to face the rising sun in the east and track the sun, turning as the day progresses to face the western setting sun.
At night, they turn their head back eastward and await the rising sun again in the east.
Magical.
Their sun worshipping quality, nourishing seeds and strong, tall stems have made them a symbol of determined optimism.
“I want to be like a sunflower so even on the darkest days I will stand tall and find the light.”
Unknown
“We’re all golden sunflowers inside.”
Allen Ginsberg
Longevity, Friendship & Loyalty
Once sunflowers mature, they remain facing eastward.
Like steadfast soldiers the color of sunshine, they now seem to stand vanguard over one another.
Sunflowers symbolize the very best qualities in friendship.
“True friends are like bright sunflowers that never fade away, even over distance and time.”
Marie Williams Johnstone
“Every friend is to the other a sun, and a sunflower also. He attracts and follows.”
John Paul
Intelligence
Did you know the legendary computer science and artificial intelligence pioneer Alan Turing (who broke the Nazi Enigma code) was deeply inspired by the mathematical patterns in sunflowers?
The left side of the brain experiences beauty more logically.
“Pick up a sunflower and count the florets running into its center, or count the spiral scales of a pine cone or a pineapple, running from its bottom up its sides to the top, and you will find an extraordinary truth: recurring numbers, ratios and proportions.”
Charles Jencks, American Landscape Designer
Happiness
Of course, we can’t talk about sunflowers without mentioning the artist who painted them so beautifully. There is joy in each brushstroke. Thank you Vincent!
“I am working with the enthusiasm of a man from Marseilles eating bouillabaisse, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to you because I am busy painting huge sunflowers.”
Vincent van Gogh
“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.”
Helen Keller
Happy end of summer all!
Pattie Jo
