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.
Z is for…
Zephyr’s flower – another name for the anemone flower
I think there’s a certain symmetry here. I started my ludic lexicon with anthomania (obsession with flowers) and I’m ending with a flower.
The name anemone comes from the Greek word anemōnē which means “the daughter of the wind.” It is a compound of the word ánemos (“the wind god”) and a feminine suffix ōnē (“daughter”).
First, it is said, Anemoi, the wind, sent his namesake, the Anemones, in the earliest days of spring to herald his arrival. Appropriately, the flower acquired the name of windflower.
To be a bit clearer though, Anemoi isn’t really a single god – it’s the term for the four seasonal winds. Zephyrus was west wind, bringing the breezes of spring. He was husband to Flora (also known as Khloris (goddess of flowers/greenery), and father of Karpos (fruit).
This being true, one would assume Anemone was the daughter of Zephyrus. But, as seems to always be true with Greek mythology, things never seem straightforward and there are always a mysteriously large number of conflicting stories explaining things.
One myth holds that Flora, wife of Zephyrus, banished Anemone because she was jealous of her husband’s attention toward the nymph, turned her into a flower and left her at the mercy of the North wind.
In another version of the myth, Anemone, after her banishment, died of a broken heart. Zephyrus persuaded Aphrodite to change Anemone’s body into a flower, thus becoming Zephyr’s flower.
In a different tale, Aphrodite fell in love with the handsome mortal youth Adonis. She warned Adonis that her other lover Ares, the god of war was capable of shapeshifting into a wild beast, that he was jealous, and that he would likely try to kill Adonis. And, of course, that’s what happened. One day during a hunt, Adonis was injured by a wild boar. Aphrodite heard his cries and ran to him, but by the time she arrived Adonis was already dead. While she was holding Adonis in her arms, her tears merged with his blood. Other sources say that she sprinkled Adonis’ blood with sweet nectar. Whichever the case, shortly thereafter a tiny red flower sprouted. The legend says that anemone flower symbolizes the eternal grief of Aphrodite. It represents Adonis’ life – beautiful, graceful and short-lived.
There are actually many different types of anemones – over 100 species. Some grow from corms and others are herbaceous perennials. And while they come in many colors, I think red fits our tale most perfectly. They certainly are beautiful.
In floriography, the language of flowers, anemones are most often associated with fragility, anticipation, and lost love. For me they’ll always be a beautiful marker of Spring.
And there you have it. I’ve managed to wind up this challenge with the wind and its flower. I’ve had a wonderful time this April creating my ludic lexicon and sharing my musings. I offer my sincere gratitude to everyone who has stopped by during April, whether once, or faithfully, or any permutation between. It’s always a joy to connect.
Now, what about you? Has April left you ready to rest? Which season’s wind is your favorite? Are you a fan of anemones? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Hari Om
Snap – I used ‘zephyr’ over at My Take today – but in the context of the numinous, the seen and yet not seen, just as we only know the wind by what it moves…
Think I might be quite glad this April has concluded; the challenge has taken up an insane amount of my time, to the detriment of other things in life. But that’s okay. For a month. Onward!
I look forward to reading your review post and all other offerings, for we dip from the same well yet see so many different reflections!!! Love and pranaams, YAM xx
I look forward to stopping by your post – all your posts. I’m in awe of you taking on and completing multiple challenges this month. Applause for jobs well done, and I hope you had as much fun as I did. But I have no doubt you’re ready for a little less craziness. 🙂
A perfect ending. 🙂
I think autumn is my favorite season, but I do love flowers and the way the bloom into full color in spring.
Congrats on completing the A-to-Z Challenge! I have really enjoyed your posts. 🙂
Thank you for your kind words, and congratulations to you as well. Wishing you pretty flowers for now while we wait for the eventual return of autumn’s magic.
This has been such a wonderful way to begin my days. I’ve so enjoyed reading and learning about these fascinating words and your connections to them. Thank you! Love to you, dear Deborah!
Oh, thank you, Pattie! I’ve had such a wonderful time and your enjoyment delights me.
I had no idea there were so many anemones, or that they had such a story to tell!
I wasn’t able to visit you as much as I’d liked, but it was a great theme and I congratulate you on making it to the end!
Thanks, Keith – it’s been a fun challenge.
April has been a pretty month, and I’m hoping that we get more nice days in May. (although I like rain too) Any wind that doesn’t blow down part of my fence is my favorite.
LOL – a non-fence-wrecking wind. Wishing you a happy May, Margaret.
I love anemones too!
Thank you for this lexical journey, very interesting challenge, and I learned a lot!
Thanks for all your visits, Frédérique. I enjoyed your series as well, and you’ve added many ideas to my try-this list.
I’ve always loved the word Zephyr. We were married in Zephyr Cove, Nevada, overlooking Lake Tahoe. Congrats on reaching the end of the A to Z!
How fun Janet!
I enjoyed this tale. I first read it last month. I am certainly ready to rest, but no such luck anytime soon!
I know you’ve got something exciting coming up, and I hope that helps energize you. I always manage to forget how tired I am at April’s end.
Such a sad story around the anemone flower. They are beautiful though. Sometimes when something is short lived, we can appreciate it more because we know it won’t be with us for long. Lupines in Maine feel that way to me. Weekends In Maine
Yes, I think you’re right, Karen. And I think there’s a good lesson in there on loving fiercely as well. Lupines are lovely. They’re a favorite, although I’ll have to admit all flowers are favorites of mine. 🙂
This has been another fun theme from you, filled with new words and inspiration 🙂 And it seems like we enjoy a lot of the same things. It was great to visit you over the course of this month, and read your thoughts. Thank you!
The Multicolored Diary
Thank you. I had a wonderful time this April. I enjoyed your series as well. And it certainly does seem we are kindred in many of our likes.
A great post to end on – those Greek Gods certainly played fast and loose – questionable exemplars for us mere mortals but they did bequeath us some beautiful flowers narcissi, as well as anemones…
I haven’t managed to read all your posts yet so I will be back – congratulations for completing the challenge in such style!
LOL – you’ve certainly called it right on the Gods.
I have a lot of catching up to do as well. I’m pretty sure trickster time runs especially fast during April.
Hi Deborah – a great ending … Zephyr wind was my first (2011) A-Z ending … but I certainly didn’t know as much detail about anemones (love them) and the wind as you’ve given us. I’ll be back to read all your entries … you’ve really give us some wonderful posts – congratulations Hilary
Thanks, Hilary. How fun you did Zephyr! I’ll make it over to your archives and look it up.
oh Deborah I have so enjoyed this April dance with you
thank you and a thousand blessings upon your soul
love zephyr the breeze that blows
and zephyr the cars of my childhood
such a great word to look at and to say
Thank you for your kind words and blessings Sandra – I’m truly grateful. Zephyr IS a fabulous word, and what a great name for a car.
Interesting stories there….poor Aphrodite!! I have learnt about Sea Anemones in Biology …did not know that there are flowers on land by the same name
https://pagesfromjayashree.blogspot.com/2021/04/y-for-yule-ball.html
Sea anemones are fascinating creatures, and so pretty and colorful. They really help make the ocean bottom look like a garden.
I love mythology, and this is a great way to end the A to Z challenge. Congratulations on completing it, and charming us with new words and ways of thinking.
I share your love of mythology Shari. And thank you for the kind words. I’ve enjoyed the challenge very much.
A perfect way to wind up–with flowers:)
I’m sitting on the steps of our verandah that face the garden. There’s a gentle breeze tickling the leaves and the flowers–frangipani, neem, geranium and zinnia.
Bulbuls are singing while hopping on branches of mulberry.
The air is perfumed with neem blooms and morning freshness.
I couldn’t have chosen a better spot to read your Z post.
Thank you Deborah for a fabulous April. Due to time differences etc., yours is the first blog of the previous letter I visited and it was always the best way to start my journey every day.
Have a wonderful May:)
Hugs. xx
What a gorgeous setting filled with magic Arti – I’m joining you there in spirit and drinking it all in. Thank you for your kind words. It’s been such a delight to spend April connected. Wishing you a wonderful May as well.
Poor Adonis! I didn’t realise why and how he was killed. I certainly didn’t know about Zephir’s flower. I have enjoyed reading your posts even if I didn’t comment very often.
To be noticed by the Greek gods was a pretty perilous thing, I think. I appreciate your kind words and visit Linda.
I didn’t know zephyr’s flower was another name for anemone, nor the connection with wind and Greek mythology. That’s fascinating.
I am not a great lover of the wind. I live in the flat fens of Lincolnshire (UK) where there are very few hills and trees and a very bracing wind from the coast. It always sends my hair into a lion’s mane and blows my pots and benches all over the garden. I much prefer a light, summer breeze.
Sounds like your wind is a bit challenging, but I bet it makes for some fabulous kite flying conditions.