When I was seven, I found a patch of wild violets under my grandmother’s old willow tree.
I didn’t think much of them then—just soft purple petals, shyly hiding in the grass.
But years later, after losing someone I loved deeply, I saw violets again… and they meant something.
They felt like a message from the soul—soft, quiet, but full of meaning.
Violets symbolism has deep emotional roots. Whether you see them growing in the wild, blooming on a windowsill, or painted into old literature, violets carry messages of love, remembrance, mystery, and even resilience.
In this post, we’ll uncover the spiritual and emotional meanings behind violets—especially as they appear in different cultures, relationships, and stories.
Let’s explore how these small flowers can carry such big emotional and spiritual truths.
African Violets Symbolism🌿
African violets aren’t just beautiful—they’re powerful symbols of motherly love, devotion, and healing.
Their round, soft petals and ability to bloom indoors make them a comfort flower.
Spiritually, African violets represent a deep nurturing energy.
When you care for them, they reflect your inner world back to you—your patience, your hope, your gentleness.
They also symbolize:
- Protection from negative energy
- Connection to loved ones in spirit
- Calm in the home environment
In spiritual homes, African violets are often placed near altars or in kitchens to invite positive energy and maintain emotional peace.
Violets Symbolism LGBT🌈
The violet flower has long been a quiet yet powerful symbol in the LGBTQ+ community.
In the early 20th century, especially during times when love between women was hidden, giving someone violets meant “I see you, I love you.”
It became a secret sign of lesbian love and solidarity.
Why violets? The connection comes from ancient poetry and later from the arts—particularly with the play The Captive (1927), where one woman sends violets to another as a sign of affection.
After the play was shut down, violets became an emblem of quiet resistance and visibility.
In LGBTQ+ symbolism, violets stand for:
- True identity
- Hidden strength
- Love in silence and courage
Even today, the flower continues to whisper messages of belonging, love, and pride.
Violets Symbolism in Hamlet🎭
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, violets appear in one of the most emotional scenes: Ophelia, in her madness and grief, mentions violets as she hands out symbolic flowers. She says, “I would give you violets, but they withered all when my father died.”
This one line reveals so much: violets, in this context, symbolize faithfulness and mourning. But their absence? That symbolizes the loss of innocence, mental breakdown, and shattered trust.
When violets show up in literature like Hamlet, they carry emotional weight. They mirror the state of the soul—fragile, hopeful, or broken.
Wild Violets Symbolism🌱
Wild violets grow where they choose—sometimes in the forest, sometimes in cracks of the sidewalk. They represent:
- Resilience
- Freedom
- Natural magic
If you see wild violets on a walk or in your dreams, it could be a sign that you are stronger than you think. You are growing, even in places where others don’t thrive.
Wild violets also hold ancestral energy—they remind us of past generations, of old love stories, of spirits guiding us quietly through nature.
Violets Symbolism in Literature📖
Across poetry and novels, violets are often used to express:
- Hidden desire
- Spiritual devotion
- Mourning and memory
In ancient Greece, violets were sacred to Aphrodite, the goddess of love.
Writers used them to hint at unspoken feelings—especially in moments when characters couldn’t say what they truly felt.
In literature, violets symbolize what’s left unsaid but deeply felt.
They remind readers that emotion isn’t always loud—sometimes, it grows softly in the background, just like violets.
Violets Symbolism in Lesbians’ History💜
As mentioned earlier, violets became a powerful lesbian symbol in the 1920s and 30s. In a time when same-sex relationships were taboo and even criminalized, women used violets as a coded language of love.
Violet bouquets were like love letters—brave, subtle, and tender. To be given violets by another woman was to be seen and loved for who you truly were.
Today, violets still hold that meaning. They are a reminder of quiet resistance, of being proud even in silence, and of love that doesn’t need approval to be real.
Violets Symbolism Meaning🌼
So what does a violet really mean, emotionally and spiritually?
Core meanings:
- Loyalty and faithfulness
- Modesty and humility
- Mystery and inner beauty
- Spiritual wisdom
Violets encourage you to trust your heart, even when it feels like you’re hiding it. They symbolize healing after heartache, and growth in places others overlook.
They also represent soul-level love—the kind that doesn’t always need words or visibility, but is deeply rooted and forever blooming.
Purple Violets Symbolism💜
Color adds depth to symbolism. Purple violets specifically carry the vibration of:
- Spiritual awakening
- Royal inner truth
- Emotional depth
They’re often seen as signs from ancestors or guides, reminding you to listen to your intuition and stay connected to your inner voice.
In energy work, purple violets are connected to the third eye chakra—helping us see beyond the physical, into the emotional and spiritual worlds.
Real-Life Violet Symbolism Scenarios🌼
1. After a Breakup
Maria went on a walk after a hard breakup and noticed violets growing along the sidewalk. She remembered her grandma used to say, “Violets show up when you need a reminder that your heart will heal.” Maria took a photo and made it her phone background—a soft message to keep loving herself.
2. Secret Love Letters
In the 1930s, two women in Italy exchanged pressed violets in their letters, keeping their love hidden from the world. Those dried flowers were symbols of devotion, and long after, one of the women kept the last violet in a locket—proof of a love that dared to bloom in silence.
3. A Child’s Funeral
At a small memorial for a stillborn child, the parents planted violets near the grave. “She was small, beautiful, and gentle,” they said. The flowers became symbols of pure, fleeting love—and every spring, they bloomed again to remind the parents their baby’s spirit was near.
FAQs❓
1. What do violets symbolize spiritually?
Spiritually, violets symbolize intuition, faith, soul connection, and gentle strength. They often appear when you’re being called to listen more deeply to your heart or spirit guides.
2. Are violets a sign from a loved one who passed?
Yes, violets can show up as signs from the spirit world—especially from grandparents or female ancestors—offering comfort and emotional healing.
3. What do violets mean in a relationship?
They symbolize loyalty, true love, and silent devotion. Giving violets can be a sweet way to say, “I see the beauty in you—even if the world doesn’t.”
4. Why are violets connected to lesbian history?
In the 1920s, violets were used as a subtle code among women who loved women. Giving violets was a way to express love and identity in a world that didn’t understand.
5. Do wild violets carry a different meaning than African violets?
Yes—wild violets speak of freedom and ancestral resilience, while African violets carry meanings of nurturing, home, and healing.
Conclusion💗 :
Violets may be small, but their spiritual and emotional meaning is huge. They whisper truths about love, identity, grief, courage, and soul-deep healing.
Whether blooming in a field, on a windowsill, or in an old poem, violets teach us to value what’s gentle but powerful.
Next time you see a violet, pause. Ask yourself:
- Who or what am I being reminded of?
- What message is coming through this tiny flower?
- Am I listening to my heart’s quiet wisdom?
May the violets around you remind you of your worth, your love, and your spirit—even if the world doesn’t always see it.
