A Tale Of Bleeding Hearts

While some flowers are subtle or send mixed messages, the Bleeding Heart is both bold and dramatic. This flower has many names, but the plant has the same basic meanings no matter what it is called. Whether you grow these perennial flowers in your garden or enjoy viewing them in floral arrangements, you should read up on the deeper meanings behind those voluptuous and curving petals.

The Bleeding Heart is one of the most literal flowers used symbolically today. The blooms resemble a classical cartoon heart with drops of blood falling out of it. Japanese folklore also has a tale about a spurned prince who killed himself by sword when a lovely maiden rejected his gifts, which are all represented by different petals from the flower. In American and British culture, the Bleeding Heart has a passionate meaning and is often exchanged as a symbol of true love. Some religious groups choose to plant the flower as a reminder of compassion for the suffering of others. It can represent people who share their emotions freely and wear their heart on their sleeve too.