Many, many years ago, my maternal grandmother grew snapdragons in her garden. I remember her showing me the flowers and how the dragons snapped. Since then, I’ve always had a soft spot for these particular flowers. It was both pleasing, a little surprising to see how they cropped up in the Dragon Series.

Origins of snap dragons

Snapdragons have been around for a very long time. While their actual origin is unknown, many believe that snapdragons originated as wildflowers in the Mediterranean regions of Spain and Italy, possibly extending to parts of North Africa. By the Middle Ages, snapdragons had spread across Europe and even into Asia. People began cultivating them, not just for their beauty but also for their supposed medicinal properties.

Uses of snapdragons

The Romans and Greeks believed snapdragons had the power to protect them from witchcraft and could ward off evil spirits or bring good luck when planted near a home. Dioscorides, a Greek physician, wrote that protection would be given to anyone who wore snapdragons around their neck as well. The belief in their protective powers extended into the Middle Ages when they were planted near the gates of European castles.

Legends also spoke of Snapdragons warding off deceit and curses, and they were often planted in gardens as a protective shield against evil forces. Snapdragon are a popular choice in rituals and ceremonies meant to ward off negativity.

Russian folklore suggested that snapdragons boosted the body’s energy. The flowers were also used in poultices to treat various ailments including inflammation and infections. They were also boiled into infusions said to keep a woman’s complexion fresh and youthful.

And on top of it all, the flowers are edible. Though their taste has been described like slightly bitter pea pods, so maybe not the most appetizing ever, they do make eye catching décor on plates and pastries. Edible oils can be extracted from their seeds, and even a green dye can be made from the flowers.

How snap dragons got their name

Not only are snapdragons pretty and useful, they can be fun to play with. If you’ve never played with a snapdragon flower you’ve definitely missed out. The flower resembles a face, and the dried seed pod, a skull filled with many tiny seeds. (The skulls are upside down on the stems)

Some say the face in the flower is a lion’s (in German the flowers are called they’re called “Löwenmäulchen,” which means “little lion’s mouth.”) or a wolf’s (in France they are called gueule de loup,” or “wolf’s mouth.”) And just for completeness’ sake, its Greek name is Antirrhinum – anti means “like,” while rrhinum means “snout.” But to me, they are definitely dragons. (Hmm, I seem to say that about a great deal of the world…wonder why…)

In any case, when you squeeze the sides of the flower, the petals open and close like a little dragon’s mouth trying to bite. A pretty delicate little dragon, to be sure, but definitely a dragon.

Meaning of Snapdragons

With a name like snapdragon, it isn’t hard to imagine that numerous meanings surround the flower.

In an interesting turn of fate, in the ‘language of flowers’, snapdragons either mean deception, because of their hidden mouth, or graciousness and strength with delicate petals and resilient stems.

Also associated with remembrance and respect, some European traditions place snapdragons on graves or use them in funeral bouquets as a gesture of respect for the departed. In Victorian times, the gift of snapdragon bouquet expressed admiration combined with respect for the recipient’s strength and resilience.

All of these considerations made them a perfect symbol for those posing a danger to the Blue Order world of dragons.  Oh, and ‘dragon’ in the name didn’t hurt either.

References

https://www.eternityflower.com/blogs/news/snapdragon-flower-meaning

https://www.plantshed.com/flowerpedia-snapdragons

https://www.freddiesflowers.com/blog/snapdragons-everything-you-need-to-know

https://www.lovingly.com/flower-meanings/snapdragon

https://www.clickandgrow.com/blogs/news/white-snapdragon-what-is-it-how-can-i-use-it

https://nicksgardencenter.com/gardening-blog/snapdragon_a_colorful_garden_character/