"A single crocus blossom ought to be enough to convince our heart that springtime, no matter how predictable, is somehow a gift, gratuitous, gratis, a grace." David Steindl-Rast

When I moved to Oxford to join the university in 1998 I knew that many new experiences awaited me. What I did not consider what that some of these experiences would come from Nature herself. In Cyprus there is no real autumn, at least not the kind that involves trees donning brilliant yellow, gold, red, and deep mauve autumn vestments. This was a new experience for me, and I feel in love with season; I have anticipated the autumn’s arrival every year ever since. My first winter in Oxford was a bit of a shocker. It was so much colder, and ever so much wetter, than I was used to. In spring I was delighted when I saw a bright green furze appear on the branches of deciduous trees, and then one cool, blustery, blue skied, morning I saw the most amazing sight.

   During the week, on most days, I rode my bicycle from my college, where I lived, to the Zoology Department building, where I attended lectures, met with tutors, and worked in the library. The route I cycled took me past the University Parks, a large park that hugs the river Cherwell on one side. As a rode past the black iron railings of the park I saw beds of beautiful low-growing purple crocuses, the first flowers that I had seen that spring. Every year thereafter, I eagerly waited for the crocuses to appear in spring.     

   The crocus is often referred to as the ‘light bulb flower’ because it looks like a bright light bulb until the petals unfurl to form a cup-shaped flower. It is no wonder that the crocus, in many cultures and places, is a symbol of youth, cheerfulness, and glee. The lovely flowers bring color and life to landscapes that were dull and lacking in color (other than green, brown and grey) during the sleepy winter months

The crocuses of spring were much valued in the past. The ancient Greeks wove crocus flowers into head wreaths as it was said that the fragrance of the flowers would ward off the fumes coming from alcoholic drinks. The Egyptians also used crocus flowers to dispel the fumes from intoxicating drinks by placing a spray of flowers on their drinking vessels. In ancient Rome the people were so fond of the fragrance of the crocus that they devised an apparatus to emit a fine spray of its scent. They would mist this perfume on guests as they entered rooms to attend a banquet. The fragrance of the crocus was thought to inspire love in those who smelled it.

    In the present day the crocus flower is used to make a fragrance that is used in perfumes and cosmetics. The saffron crocus flower, a different species from the ornamental spring blooming crocus, produces a spice called saffron, which is used to season foods, and is also known to be an anti-carcinogenic, an antioxidant and it boosts the immune system.  

   The crocus flower can be white, yellow and shades of purple. Although there is no specific symbolism associated with the color of the bloom, there are universal meanings associated with these colors:

White: Purity, Innocence and Truth

Purple: Dignity, Pride and Success

Yellow: Cheerfulness and Joy

   There are several theories that explain how the crocus flower got its name:

* Latin Origins: The name crocus is derived from the Latin word crocatus, an adjective which describes the color saffron yellow. Saffron is derived from the autumn blooming saffron crocus (Crocus sativus). While not all crocus species produce saffron, they are all similar in appearance and share the name.

*Greek Origins: The name "crocus" originates from the Greek word "κρόκος" (krokos), which translates to "saffron" or "saffron yellow.” It is a borrowed word from a Semitic language, related to Hebrew and Arabic, that means saffron.

*Greek Legend: The most famous story tells of a mortal youth named Crocus who was the lover of the messenger God, Hermes. The lovers were participating in athletic training when a discus thrown by Hermes hit Crocus’s head, mortally wounding him. The grief-stricken Hermes transformed his dying lover into a flower, and three drops of blood that had fallen from Crocus’ head became the stigma of the flower.

   Another Greek story tells of a mortal young man called Crocus who was in love with dryad nymph, Smilax. Now whether the love offered by Crocus was unrequited, or whether the mortal and nymph could not be together for some other reason, varies from tale to tale. Either way, the broken-hearted Crocus could not be with Smilax. The gods took pity upon Crocus and transformed him into a flower to relieve him of his grief. The fact that Smilax was also transformed into a plant, a thorny vine, perhaps indicates that Crocus was a rejected lover. 

Art:

LillAnna And The Crocus by Carl Larsson

The Crocus by Cathy Hillegas