NATIONAL PRIMROSE DAY; February 5th

Primrose Day marked the anniversary of the death of the British statesman and prime minister Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, on 19 April 1881. The day was marked each year into the 1920s, with arrangements of primroses left at Disraeli’s tomb at St Michael and All Angels Church, Hughenden and his statue in Parliament Square, and many supporters wearing primroses as buttonholes, garlands and hat decorations.

Background

Disraeli served as British prime minister in 1868 and from 1874 to 1880. He formed a close relationship with Queen Victoria, particularly after he was widowed in 1872. The primrose was reportedly Disraeli’s favorite flower, and the queen would send him bunches of them from Windsor Castle and Osborne House. Disraeli often thanked the queen for her gifts of flowers, picking out the primroses for special praise. The queen unveiled a memorial to Disraeli at St Michael and All Angels Church, Hughenden in 1882.

Contemporary reports noted that Victoria sent a wreath of primroses to Disraeli’s funeral with a note “His favorite flowers: from Osborne: a tribute of affectionate regard from Queen Victoria”. However, a few years later, a letter from the Queen’s Private Secretary, Sir Henry Ponsonby, contradicted that suggestion.

Commemoration

Nonetheless, the first celebration of Primrose Day in 1882 was encouraged by the civil servant Sir George Birdwood, who wrote a letter to The Times noting an increase in sales of primroses before the anniversary, and he also proposed primrose decorations at St Stephen’s Club. The success of the event in 1883 led to the creation of the Primrose League.

An 1885 painting by the Newlyn School artist Frank Bramley, now held by the Tate Gallery, depicts a young girl who has been gathering primroses on Primrose Day, sitting near an engraved portrait of Disraeli. Another Newlyn artist, Ralph Todd, painted a similar scene, now at Penlee House.

What do the different color primroses symbolize?

Just like with all flowers, primroses come in lots of different colors, and each of those colors has its own special meaning. The most common color of primroses that you’ll probably see covering woodlands is yellow. But they can also be found in white, orange, pink and red.

White primrose

Though it might be the most common color, white primroses don’t have the happiest meaning. They’re known for symbolizing sadness and mourning. So, if you know someone who has recently passed, sending white primroses to loved ones will be a thoughtful gesture.

Red primrose

Red primroses have a much more joyful meaning, as they symbolize passion, young love, charm and longing. They’re perfect to give to a new romantic partner, or, if you want to make the first move, someone you’ve had a crush on for a while.

Yellow primrose

Yellow primroses symbolize happiness, warmth and love and are better to give someone you’re in a long-term relationship with or someone who has always been there for you through thick and thin.

Pink primrose

Pink primroses have a meaning of femininity, grace, youth and renewal. This makes them ideal to have around the house during springtime or to give to a woman who means the world to you!

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