Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’m sharing my thoughts and reflections on a lexicon (vocabulary specific to a certain subject) of unusual, obscure, or simply charming-to-me words. Ludic is defined as “playful, in an aimless way” and that’s my plan for approaching this challenge – keeping my feet on the joy trail and meandering wherever the daily word takes me.
K is for…
kiss-me-quick-by-the-garden-gate – another name for the flower pansy.
Ok, so technically more phrase than word, but I’m guessing you probably haven’t heard it in this context AND it delights me, so it’s all good.
Pansies are a favorite of mine. Just as they were for my grandmother. They might have been for Shakespeare as well, as he mentions them in two of his plays. In Midsummer Night’s Dream he has Oberon, the king of faeries, using it as a love charm, and also relating how the pansy, previously white, received its color when shot by Cupid’s arrow.
Then in Hamlet, Ophelia speaks in the language of flowers…
“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance. Pray you, love, remember. And there is pansies, that’s for thoughts.”
The name ‘pansy’ is derived from the French word pensée which means thought. It’s said it was so named because the blossom resembles a human face, and when it nods forward it appears as if lost deep in thought. I always smile when I think of that. Pansies are known by an unusually large number of nicknames, but I particularly like the one that’s today’s subject. No doubt the nodding forward posture I just mentioned is equally applicable to delivering a kiss as to being lost in thought.
While pansies have long been cultivated, they remain closely related to the wild pansy, which is also known as Heartsease. And as you might guess, they have many heart associations. It was used for love potions and Victorians believed if they carried a pansy it would ensure their beloved’s affection. But just as it was meant to keep one’s love foremost in one’s thoughts, it was also considered to help ease a broken heart.
Anne Choi is one of my favorite bead artists using the lost wax cast process and working mostly in sterling. I’ve been a fan and collector for years and feel a great connection with each of the treasured pieces I own. When my mother died, I bought this pansy bead that says “PENSE A MOI” on the sides – “think of me.” I made a bracelet with it and wore it continually throughout the period that marked my formal mourning and honoring observations. When the bracelet broke, I knew that period was over, and now I keep the bead on one of my altars. There’s such a sweetness in remembering, and I love that pansy is associated with that. This is how I experience the Heartease energy.
I also have a vintage necklace that delights me and contains an embedded pansy and part of a leaf. There’s a sweet delicate energy to this piece as well. It seems to remind me that all life can be approached with tenderness and on that footing great beauty is available.
Ever had a quick kiss by the garden gate? Do you have any flower jewelry? Or perhaps a sweet flower story to share? A pansy for your thoughts – you know I’d love to hear.
I did not know about that other pansy name. Cute. Learn something new all the time!
April especially makes for good learning, doesn’t it? So many fun things to discover from so many people.
“A pansy for your thoughts” – ha, that’s perfect!
Black and White: K for Kitezh
🙂
I just read the pansy chapter in my flower lore book and the author included this by Mary Howitt: “Heartsease! One could look for half a day Upon this flower, and shape in fancy out Full twenty different tales of love and sorrow, That gave the gentle name.” I thought it was lovely!
Oh, yes – lovely indeed!
Very neat nickname for pansy. Such color combinations with them.
My “K” Jethro Tull Song is here:
http://tao-talk.com/2021/04/13/a2z-2021-jethro-tull-songs-day-11-king-henrys-madrigal-from-stormwatch-1979/
Pretty little things.
Kiss-me-quick-by-the-garden-gate is the cutest name I’ve ever hear for a flower of any kind and your necklace is gorgeous!
You can’t help but smile, right?
I never knew that’s where the name pansy came from. Fascinating. I’ll never look at them, or that word, the same again.
How perfect!
That vintage necklace is beautiful. I love the stories and the faces of the pansies, but oh, my do they spread everywhere. The year I planted some in my front flowerbed, we found them in the lawn and in the cracks of the sidewalk.
It takes a determined bloom to take up residence in a sidewalk crack!
Pansies do bring joy when you come upon them in a garden and I saw how delighted the grandchildren were to receive a potted pansy in flower , innocence and joy.
I have no flower jewellery – (much admire that pendant and bead ) – though I recall as a little girl being awed by a beautiful brooch of my mothers that was said to made from bread .
how lovely these traditions continue.
The delight of the little ones is so heart-warming!
Loved everything about the post today. And why wouldn’t I–
That phrase and then the pansies. I love them too. And have two pots of viola growing at this time. One is full of yellow blooms and sits in a salvaged pot I painted turquoise a few months ago. The two together bring me immense joy every time I look at them.
Sounds like a perfect and beautiful combination, Arti!
Great theme! Going to start with ‘A’ and make my way through.
Thanks Martha!
I love pansies. I have pots of the on our deck. I also have a lot of flower jewellery. My favourite is probably a gold and enamel daisy ring (which is big and three-dimensional and happy).
A woman after my own heart!
Hmmm, all my comments seem to be being eaten today. I have no idea if my last comment has vanished or will appear…
Not eaten or vanished, just playing tricks on you.
In the Telluric Tarot deck, Pansy is for the Page of Swords 🙂 Because of thinking. There are a couple of folktales about them too that I love.
The Multicolored Diary
Oh, this really makes me smile!
I love pansies too but I never knew of this nickname. I also didn’t make the connection with pensée. That’s so interesting.
I love that you incorporated pansies into your mourning process. What a lovely idea.