Bleeding Heart Flower Symbolism and Its Meanings
Delve into the layered meanings of the bleeding heart, a flower whose form conveys the complex relationship between love, sorrow, and open expression.
The bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) is a perennial cherished in shade gardens for its unique blossoms. Native to Siberia, northern China, Korea, and Japan, it was introduced to the West in the 1800s. Each flower, suspended from an arching stem, mimics a heart with a single droplet dangling below, giving the plant its name. This striking appearance has led to a rich history of symbolism, with its form inviting interpretation of complex human emotions.
Primary Meanings of the Bleeding Heart
The most direct interpretation of the bleeding heart flower is one of passionate and unconditional love. Its unmistakable heart shape is a clear visual representation of deep affection, making it a powerful symbol for romantic love. It speaks to a love that is all-encompassing and given freely. This meaning connects directly to the flower’s appearance, where the vibrant heart seems to overflow with emotion.
This romantic symbolism carries a somber counterpart in the form of rejected or unrequited love. The “bleeding” aspect of the flower is interpreted as the pain and sorrow that comes from love that is not returned. This duality is central to the flower’s identity, representing both the joy of deep connection and the heartbreak of loss. In many Eastern cultures where the plant originated, this meaning of spurned love is prominent.
Beyond romantic contexts, the flower is also a symbol of compassion and deep empathy for the suffering of others. Some spiritual perspectives view the flower as a reminder to feel for those around you and to acknowledge their hardships. The image of a bleeding heart serves as a potent metaphor for an open heart that is sensitive to the emotional state of the world.
The Tale of the Bleeding Heart
A well-known Asian folktale provides a narrative for the flower’s symbolism. The story tells of a young prince who fell deeply in love with a beautiful princess and presented her with a series of thoughtful gifts. The gifts in the story correspond to the parts of the bloom.
First, the prince offered the princess a pair of white rabbits, represented by the two outermost pink petals, but she did not return his love. Undeterred, he then presented her with a pair of elegant slippers, seen in the shape of the two inner white petals. Again, she offered no affection.
For his final gift, the prince offered beautiful earrings, symbolized by the flower’s stamens. When she accepted this last gift but still coldly rejected his love, the prince was overcome with sorrow. Heartbroken, he plunged a dagger into his heart, and the first bleeding heart flower grew where he fell, a permanent emblem of his unrequited love.
Color Symbolism
The common pink and red varieties carry the primary meanings of passionate and unrequited love. Their vibrant colors align with the intensity of deep affection and the folktale of the heartbroken prince.
In contrast, the white-flowering variety, Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Alba’, offers a different set of meanings. The white blooms are seen as symbols of purity, innocence, and grace. This color strips away the passionate and painful connotations of the pink varieties, leaving a sense of gentle remembrance.
The white bleeding heart is often associated with mourning and honoring the memory of a loved one who has passed away. Its pristine, heart-shaped blossoms convey a feeling of pure love that transcends loss. This makes the ‘Alba’ variety a thoughtful planting for memorial gardens, where it serves as a symbol of enduring affection.
Cultural and Spiritual Significance
During the Victorian era in England, flowers were used to send coded messages. In this “language of flowers,” the bleeding heart was about expressing one’s emotions openly. Gifting a bleeding heart signified that the giver was revealing their true feelings for the recipient, a bold declaration in a society that valued emotional restraint.
In some modern spiritual practices, the flower is connected to the heart chakra, the energy center associated with love and emotional well-being. The bleeding heart is seen as a plant that can help open and balance this chakra, aiding in emotional healing. Its form is thought to resonate with the energy of the heart, encouraging the release of grief and the cultivation of unconditional love.