A living fossil with a botanical history dating back 360 million years, the fern symbolizes endurance, resilience and new beginnings. In addition to their distinctive feathery foliage, ferns have rich symbolism and cultural significance.
If you enjoy walking in the woods, you have come across delicate, fragile ferns. They like shady, moist forest understorey where they are protected from the wind.
Ferns, often called living lace, have cultural significance that transcends their aesthetic appeal. Often seen as a symbol of new life and fresh beginnings, boating transcends time and weaves through art and poetry.
Botanical Characteristics of Ferns: How Many Species of Ferns Do We Have?
The ferns (Polypodiopsida or Polypodiophyta) are vascular plant species with fibrous roots that conduct water and nutrients.
Unlike other flowering plants, fern plants do not have seeds or flowers; these plants use spores for reproduction. Like Ginkgo trees, the development of ferns dates back to prehistoric times, when they transformed from aquatic plants. Ferns ruled the world at this time, reaching heights of 5 to 40 meters. This is why we have fossil fuels today. Today we know about 20,000 species of ferns; Some of them, like the Boston fern, are known to be natural air purifiers.
Ferns have compound leaves, known as fern fronds, which vary in shape and size, ranging from delicate and feathery to large and lanceolate. During their early growth, fern fronds emerge from the fiddleheads and gradually unfold into their mature form.
Ferns grow from underground stems called rhizomes that spread horizontally below the soil surface. These rhizomes produce fibrous roots that anchor the fern in the soil and absorb water and nutrients.
Symbolism and spiritual meaning of ferns
The symbolism of ferns has played an important role in this different cultures for centuries.
Stamina and resilience
Due to their ancient origins and ability to adapt to different environments, some cultures widely believed that ferns were a symbol of endurance and resilience, like the oak. The unfolding of delicate fronds of beautiful ferns from a resilient fiddlehead is metaphorically linked to overcoming challenges and hardships.
In Maori culture, the silver fern represents the symbolic meaning of strength, unwavering resistance and enduring power. For Pākehā, New Zealanders of non-Māori descent, the fern symbolized their deep connection with their homeland. (1)
Ferns symbolize new life and new beginnings.
When you think of the tightly coiled violets and how they are reborn every spring, it is no wonder that this plant symbolizes new beginnings. In this sense, ferns represent growth, transformation and new possibilities.
Likewise, spring flowers such as dandelions symbolize new beginnings and hope for positive transformation.
Humility and sincerity
Victorians used the language of flowers, associating ferns with sincerity. They were often exchanged as gifts to convey sincere feelings and honest emotions. Additionally, ferns’ lush, arching fronds can symbolize a form of protective shelter.
Symbol of magic and mysticism
In some cultures, ferns represent magical properties and are associated with mystical beings. The intricate patterns of fern fronds have inspired myths and stories, linking them to hidden wonders of the natural world. See the stories below in Myths and Folklore.
Across cultures, people have viewed ferns as a magical force, which they use to bring money, attract love, and control the weather. Some cultures still burn ferns because they believe that ferns, as a symbol of eternal youth, can end droughts and bring rain.
Fern symbolism Eternal love
In certain traditions, ferns are considered symbols of eternal love. The enduring nature of ferns, which have survived millions of years, is used metaphorically to represent enduring and timeless love.
Certain fern species, such as the Maidenhair fernare used to help couples strengthen their bond with each other.
Little Fern brings luck.
According to popular legend, the fern blooms for only one night during midsummer. The story suggests that discovering the fern flower on that particular night will bring a life of wealth and happiness. Furthermore, people associated the fern with good luck for engaged couples who seek and find the fern flower during their engagement.
Cultural significance and symbolism of fern leaves throughout history
Victorian-era pteridomania and craze
In Victorian England there was a craze called Pteridomania. People grew ferns as houseplants and collected ferns and incorporated their motifs into decorative arts, from pottery to gravestones. The trend showed the widespread influence of ferns in Victorian culture.
The craze for growing ferns indoors led to the creation of the Wardian cabinet, a glass cabinet that protected ferns from pollutants and maintained the necessary humidity. This cupboard not only stored delicate ferns, but also became a symbol of the passion of the time to bring nature into the home. The Victorian fascination with ferns has had a lasting influence on the aesthetics of the time.
Silver Fern in New Zealand culture
Despite being called ‘silver ferns’, they usually have white undersides, with true ‘silver’ only seen in some northern populations. The reflective underside makes them useful for navigating forest trails at night, especially in moonlight.
Although not yet on the country’s official flag, this fern species became their national symbol associated with sports teams and the armed forces and has deep emotional resonance with New Zealanders. (2)
In American culture
Ferns in Native American cultures have different beliefs, so the importance of ferns varies between West Coast groups and those from Appalachia. For some Native American cultures, ferns symbolize traditional dance, while others see them as a representation of water.
It is important to remember that there are many different Native American cultures with varying beliefs. So ferns do not mean the same thing to groups on the West Coast as they do to those from Appalachia. Some Native American cultures view it ferns as a symbol of traditional dance, and others consider them a sign of water.
Many native people believe that the fern represents new life, rebirth and new beginnings. In Japan, ferns are an example of family and hope for the future.
In Japan, ferns are associated with family and hope for the future.
Myths and folklore associated with ferns
Folklore from New Zealand
The Maoris of New Zealand historically used silver ferns (Cyathea dealbata) as guides in the dark. The silvery undersides of the leaves, reflecting the moon and stars, created a glowing effect, making navigation easier. This variety of fern, abundant in New Zealand, became their national symbol.
Baltic mythology and the magical fern flower
Baltic mythology tells of a magical fern flower that blooms during the summer solstice, promising good luck and suggesting the presence of hidden treasures.
Slavic folklore: ferns and Ivan Kupala night
In Slavic folklore, ferns are believed to bloom on the Ivan Kupala night, with the rare sighting of ferns guaranteeing a lifetime of luck and happiness. wealth for the rest of their lives. (3)
Finnish tradition: fern seeds and midsummer night secrets
Finnish tradition links fern seeds found on Midsummer Night to invisibility and leads to hidden treasures protected by spells. Furthermore, in Wicca, ferns are believed to possess magical properties. This legend was so influential that it was mentioned in literature, with works by William Shakespeare, Hans Christian Andersen and Ben Jonson.
Celtic lore: ferns, fairies and the invisible flower
In Celtic stories, ferns, which are vibrant green without flowers, are associated with magic and fairies. Although they appear to have no flowers or seeds, there is a folk tale about an invisible fern plant that only bloomed around the summer solstice. Legend says that seeing this flower gives you the gift of fairy sight, which allows you to talk to animals and control the weather.
Use of ferns and violets
Culinary applications
Fiddleheads are young fern fronds before they open, and you can usually only find them for a few weeks in the spring. Ostrich fern fiddleheads are the best to eat because they taste like asparagus. People like to sauté them with butter and garlic.
There are also other types of ferns, such as the western sword fern, fern fern and lady fern, whose young leaves are edible as fiddleheads. But don’t forget that you have to cook them before you eat them.
Medicinal use
Ferns have been used for medicinal purposes in the past. In traditional cultures, ferns relieve headaches and reduce fever, control bleeding, promote wound healing and reduce inflammation.
Medicinally, many American groups of people used ferns to relieve childbirth pain or address digestive problems.
Ornamental plants
The ferns are often grown as ornamental plants, as cut foliage and as popular houseplants. These varieties include the Boston fern, bird’s nest fern and staghorn fern.
Other uses
In Southeast Asia, Azolla ferns, although small and different from typical ferns, function as biological fertilizers in rice fields due to their nitrogen-fixing ability. Ferns, exemplified by Tectaria macrodonta, exhibit resistance to insects, with their genes being transferred to cotton plants to increase resistance to whiteflies.
In the fall, ferns are used as an aid in apple storage, helping the apples retain their freshness and flavor for longer.
Fern Tattoo Meaning
The meaning of a fern tattoo varies based on cultural and personal interpretations.
Ferns have survived for millions of years, and their ability to adapt and persevere can symbolize resilience in the face of challenges. A fern tattoo can represent inner strength and the ability to overcome obstacles. Additionally, the fern is also seen as motivating, and many have fern tattoos to help them stay focused.
In many cultures, ferns are associated with new life and growth. Getting a fern tattoo can symbolize a fresh start, new beginnings or personal transformation.
Ferns are part of the natural world, and a fern tattoo can remind one of one’s connection to nature. It can mean a love of the outdoors, environmental awareness, or a desire to stay grounded.
