Aster

What the aster means

Aster is the Greek word for star, a nod to the flower's radiating petals. A popular story from classical myth says asters sprang up where the goddess Astraea wept at the lack of stars in the sky, which ties them to wonder and remembrance. Victorian flower dictionaries gave the China aster variety and afterthought, and in modern use asters are often given for love, patience, and daintiness. China asters, the kind most often sold by florists, were brought to Europe from China in the 18th century. In the US tradition the aster is September's birth flower.

Flower meanings come mostly from Victorian floriography, and they vary between books, eras, and cultures.

Often sent for

• Birthday
• Just because
• Thank you
• Sympathy

By colour

• Purple Often given for patience and wisdom.
• Pink Associated with love and sensitivity.
• White Associated with purity and remembrance.
• Lavender Often read as daintiness and charm.