One of the most interesting representatives of the flora is narcissus. His yellow flowers do not leave anyone indifferent. He is praised by poets of all times and peoples. The root of this plant has been known since ancient times for its poisonous and intoxicating properties. It is from the Greek word "narkao" that its name derives.
Great importance attached to this flower. In the Muslim religious tradition, there is an assertion that if you only have two bread, one of them should be given for the flower of the narcissus. Bread is food for the body, narcissus is for the soul. The yellow flowers of the narcissus were a welcome sign to the soldiers who returned with victory. In Switzerland, on the first Sunday of May, the Narcissus festival is held. On this day all the houses are decorated with colorful flags, and on each door there is a garland of yellow handsome men. The culmination of this holiday is the battle of colors.
It is believed that narcissus is a flower with yellow flowers. This is not entirely true. In nature, there are more than 60 species of this plant. Some of them have white flowers. It multiplies by bulbs, the most widely distributed in southern Europe, the Mediterranean and in Asia. The flower of the narcissus is quite large, its fruit is a fleshy four-leaved box with seeds. However, they quickly lose their germination, while the bulb remains viable for several years. These yellow flowers blossom in May-June. They are very unpretentious, they can adapt to any soil and place. This plant differs shadowiness, but still it is best blooming in a spacious sunny place.
That's why in one part of the UK - Wales - you can see whole fields of daffodils. This yellow flower became the national emblem of Wales, because it blooms on the day of St. David - the patron saint of the Welsh. Still this plant is one of the most common in this area.
There is another symbolic meaning of this plant. Narcissus is a symbol of cold beauty, narcissism and selfishness. These beautiful yellow flowers have received such notoriety thanks to the legend of Narcissus. According to Greek mythology, this young man was very handsome, but stale and hard-hearted. He neglected the love of the beautiful nymph Echo and was sentenced by the gods to love only his own reflection. He admired him in the water, forgetting to eat and drink. So a beautiful young man died, who was unable to leave his reflection, even for a moment, and a yellow flower grew on that place. The name of this beautiful young man became the name of the flower - Narcissus. Such is the legend ...
This flower is glorified in the centuries. It is believed that he is the most glorified after the rose. The Persian king Cairo I was a passionate admirer of daffodils, he called these yellow flowers the creation of beauty, immortal delight. In modern Persian it is called "narges", which means "beautiful eye". The name of this flower in the eastern poetic tradition is usually called the eyes of a beloved woman, emphasizing their beauty. In China, this plant is present in every home during the New Year holidays, being a symbol of well-being.