Peonies
Most beautiful of all the flowers
There are several differing but lovely stories and myths surround this
flower.
According to Greek Mythology , the
botanical name Paeonia originated from the name Paeon, a Greek Physician
of the gods and former student of Aesculapius. He became envious of
Paeon when he cured Hades’ and Ares’ wounds with the ground roots of
Peony. Aesculapius wanted him dead, but Zeus saved him by turning him
into a peony plant.
Or if that’s not to your liking,
another legend tells of a gorgeous nymph
named Paeonia who mesmerized Apollo, son of Zeus. Furious with her, the
goddess Aphrodite turned her into a peony plant.
And my all-time favourite is this
Chinese myth. Gejin, a peony spirit fell
in love with a man and transformed herself into a female. They got
married and had 2 children. When her husband realised that she and the
children were not mortal, Gejin took the children back to the spirit
world to avoid harm and rage. She left two tree peonies, the Gejin
Purple and Gejin White as remembrance of their two children.
🌺Visit New York Botanical Garden to enjoy the beauty🌺