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While snapdragons were common in the
earliest gardens, their actual origin is not known. Some botanists
believe they originally grew wild in Spain and Italy. The snapdragon's
botanical name, antirrhinum, is derived from the Greek anti
(like) and rhin (nose), in reference to the flower's snout-like
shape. Sentiment & Symbolism
In the British countryside, children too
young or timid to capture frogs or other small creatures once made
"pets" out of the snapdragon flower. A child would gently squeeze the
sides of the flower to open and close the "dragon's" mouth, complete
with a lashing tongue.
Concealing a snapdragon made a person appear
gracious and fascinating. Snapdragons were also said to protect their
beholders from deceit and curses. |
