What Does a Fern Symbolize
Have you ever wondered what a fern symbolizes? Have you tried to understand the inner meaning of ferns existing and evaluating throughout the ancient period?
If you are curious to know more about fern’s symbolism then look up this article. Here I’ll talk about fern symbolism in different folklore beliefs along with its hidden significance in many cultures.
Besides, I’ll also give you brief thoughts about dreaming about ferns and what it means. So let’s begin this topic more elaborately.
Ferns Symbolization in Different Cultures
More than 30000 to 40000 species of ferns are existing worldwide. Throughout ancient times, these ferns have been experiencing several dimensions of the Era.
In that Era, different cultural people have involved these ferns in their cultural beliefs and thoughts. Let’s find out a few popular cultural beliefs and symbolism about ferns that can surprise you.
Christian Folklore
Many Christian people believe that ferns have been sustaining for more than 300 million years. In the late Devonian period, the first fern fossils have been observed.
That’s why, Christian people believe that ferns symbolize humbleness and honesty among people.
Slavic Folklore
Salvicn folklore believes that ferns symbolize happiness and wealth among people. Because those people believe ferns bloom only once a year during the night of Ivan kupala (a vital folk holiday of Eastern Slavs).
So they believe if someone sees ferns on that particular night, that man will be guaranteed wealth and happiness for the rest of their life. Thus for Slavic people, the fern is related to wealth and happiness.
Finnish Folklore
Finnish people (native people of Finland) believe that if anyone finds fern seeds on a midsummer night, that person will be granted a special ability.
They believe the person who gets the seeds of ferns, He/She will have the power to travel invisibly because of ferns seeds. They can travel to specific places or locations with the help of fern seeds.
That person will travel to a special place which is called Carnivale, identified as Will o’ the Wisps (ghost light). In that place, there lies a hidden treasure which that person will be able to find with the help of those seeds.
Wiccan Folklore
Wicca people are a group of people that worship nature-based paganism. These groups of people used to believe the earth to their mother and the sky to their father. In the mid-20th century, these people tended to believe that ferns were a kind of magical property.
They used to believe that dried ferns have exorcist power. These Wiccan people considered dried ferns can be used as exorcism on evil spirits if they were thrown in a hot coal fire.
Similarly, they also believe that the burning smoke of ferns can drive away any evil spirits, snakes, or such creatures.
Māori Folklore
Māori folklore (natives of New Zealand) associated ferns with their national emblem. Similarly, it’s also portrayed in their passport and on their national airline called Air New Zealand. It symbolizes their power and solidarity in the nation.
Even their national football team’s (New Zealand Football) symbol is associated with fern symbols. Two fern fronds are associated with the logo which clearly emphasizes the significance of ferns in that country.
Additionally, the All Blacks (the New Zealand national rugby union team) also emphasize the silver ferns logo to promote the solidarity and identity of their team.
Victorian Folklore
In the Victorian era of the 1820s- 1940s, people became crazy over fern art. In the Victorian era, people became more individuals who read their existence and somehow they became close to nature.
In addition, Victorian People started to collect ferns and got involved with decorative fern art in their daily lifestyle. They also used ferns as poetry, textiles, wood, printed paper, body tattoos, and other sculpture as well.
Similarly, many Christians associated fern art with gravestones of their dead ones. And so, they used to give presents which are associated with ferns memorials.
Later on, Victorian people started to grow ferns as indoor plants which also became a fashion on that periodically.
For that reason, people made a Wardian case (ancient terrarium) to grow and thrive plants in a container. Thus, it also helped them to reduce air pollution and increase the humidity in the Victorian Era.
Japanese Folklore
In the Japanese tradition, ferns symbolize strength and promptness in life. It represents the ability of people to get control of their lives by overpowering all the obstacles.
Additional Significance of Fern Species
Similarly, fern species are also associated with several alternative meanings and significance. Let’s veil those meanings.
Prosperity and Wealth
In many native folklore, ferns are associated with prosperity and wealth. It means if anyone has a fern plant, they will be prosperous and wealthy in their life.
They used to believe that having fern plants would give them an abundance of wealth and prosperity in life. They will be successful in life as well. Thus, this fern is associated with the wealth and prosperous lifestyle of human beings.
Life and Death
Ferns also symbolize both life and death in many cultures. According to many tropical beliefs, ferns symbolize death.
If their close one dies, they use the fern symbol in their graveyard as a memory. Similarly, they also use ferns to decorate funerals as well.
They decorate trees, buildings, and coffins with ferns to manifest their honor and integrity towards their respective dead beloved.
Conversely, in many cultures ferns are symbolized as life and a new beginning. For example, the life of ferns manifests the life of human life.
The fronds of ferns die in the late autumn or winter seasons and again grow back in the spring season. It resembles a new beginning of the fern’s life cycle which also represents human life with new beginnings and new life.
Optimism and Change
Fern species also symbolizes as Optimistic life of humans and their productive change’d human life. For instance, ferns are low-maintenance plants that can adapt to many circumstances and environments, and still thrive actively.
This represents how humans should grow and adapt to the chance of a renewal of life. Humans should be optimistic about life and hopeful about the new future that is ahead of them.
Reading pasts and all mistakes, they should always move forward with adapting their circumstances no matter what.
Love and Commitment
Ferns also symbolize love for human life. Their elegant lush greenery foliage emphasizes the strong connection of honesty and integrity in the relationship.
On the top, it represents the profound love between two souls. Additionally, ferns also symbolize strong devoted love and commitment toward their partners.
Different Types of Ferns and Their Symbolic Meaning
Let’s look for a few renowned ferns with their symbolic meaning.
Asparagus Ferns
- Botanic name: Asparagus
- Native range: North America
- Plant: Herbaceous perennial
Asparagus ferns symbolize internal compassion in human life. Also, it symbolizes the strong bonds between Friends.
Boston Ferns
- Botanical name: Nephrolepis exaltata
- Native range: America
- Plants: Evergreen
Boston ferns symbolize honesty, truthfulness, and integrity. Thus, this plant adds an abundant feeling to the house.
Christmas Fern
- Botanical name: Polystichum acrostichoides
- Native range: North America
- Plants: Evergreen
Christmas ferns symbolize humility and happiness among humans. Christian people tend to decorate their houses with these evergreen fronds during the Christmas festival.
Staghorn Ferns
- Botanic name: Platycerium bifurcatum
- Native range: Java, New Guinea, Eastern Australia, South Wales, Queensland
- Plant: Perennial evergreen
Staghorn ferns resemble elk antlers which anciently represent pride, dignity, and power among society and humans. It symbolizes power, class, and social dignity in humans.
What Does It Mean if You Dream About a Fern?
If you have ever dreamt about fern, then there might be some possible hidden and spiritual existence regarding that dream.
In general, dreaming about ferns might indicate a new beginning and a new start in life. Depending on your current circumstances, it might be a hint of going ahead with whatever happens.
Still, you need to adapt to the situation just the way it is and move forward with your optimistic thoughts. Moreover, if you continuously dream about ferns then there might be a possibility that something big will be happening in your life.
Thus, ferns also symbolize signs and awareness in the dream.
Wrap Up
On a closing note, Ferns have been on the earth for more than 300 million years. This fern species has seen many cultural changes along with its own evaluation. Furthermore, various decorative arrangements can be made using these ferns, with a common example being table decoration.
According to many ancient cultures like Christianity, Salvic, Victorian, Finnish, Māori, and Japanese ferns symbolize differently. In some cultures ferns symbolize prosperity, in some cultures it symbolizes Optimism. Moreover, ferns have been also associated with humans’ life and death cycle as well.
Similarly, it also portrays integrity, honesty, and commitment among humans as well. Thus, fern plants not only contribute to their natural wilderness in the environment but also have significance in different cultural beliefs and perspectives.
