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Colombian Flowers: Culture and diversity

 

Colombia, in South America, is known for coffee, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and emeralds.

What many people don't know is that this country has a rich history of flowers both wild and cultivated. That's why flowers have been an integral part of Colombian culture for centuries.

In this article, we will discover the flower culture in Colombia and explore the most popular species of flowers in this country.

 

Flower Culture in Colombia

Thanks to its privileged geographic location, Colombia is a diverse territory with three different mountain ranges and two oceans which have been able to sustain diverse cultures.

Colombia has a long tradition of celebrating flowers, beginning with indigenous people. In the Chibcha culture, flowers were seen as an embodiment of beauty and happiness. This is why they used them on celebratory occasions such as births, marriage ceremonies and funerals.


Nowadays, there are lots of different festivals that celebrate flowers. One of those celebrations is "Feria de las Flores", a flower fair that happens yearly in Medellín, the city of eternal spring.


Flower Fair

 

Silleteros Santa Elena

 

 
Medellín overflows with flowers and the city becomes a garden.


One of the most popular events at the Flower Fair is the Silleteros Parade. The Silleteros are farmers who carry flowers on their backs arranged on a chair-like contraption called a silleta.


The first Flower Fair was held in 1957. Activities during the days consisted of dancing throughout stalls located in the city.


Arturo Uribe proposed the Silleteros Parade, a way to attract attention and promote participation of the paisas (People from the region).


On that occasion, he invited silleteros from the nearby district of Santa Elena who had devoted themselves to flower production for generations. Forty silleteros accepted the invitation and people watching were taken by the beauty of the flowers.


Since then, Colombians in Medellín celebrate the Flower Fair every year to strengthen and keep alive their rich culture.


Besides the Silleteros Parade, there are other events in the Flower Fair, such as the Flowers and Orchids Exhibition, Classic Car Parade, National Trova Festival and The Concert of the Flower Fair among others.


The most popular Colombian Flowers.


Colombia is home to thousands of flower species, and ranks second for the export of floral products in the world. A complete list would be nearly impossible, but here are some of the most popular.


The orchid

Orchids are Colombia’s national flower. They can be found in the gardens of Antioquia or Santander.

 

The orchid

Roses


Colombian roses are one of the most common varieties of flowers in Colombia. Roses cultivated in Colombian gardens come in a variety of colors.

Roses


Carnations


Colombians love flowers, and they are often used to celebrate power, a wedding, or even the birth of a child. Carnations also represent love and come in many colors.

Carnations
Chrysanthemums


One of the most popular flowers in Colombia is the chrysanthemum. It blooms all year and has many variations meaning it's perfect for any occasion.

Chrysanthemums
Spiders


Spider flowers resemble a spider with their long, thin limbs. The flower represents caring and matches well with other blooms.

Spiders

In Conclusion


Colombians love flowers so much that they invent festivals and celebrations just for them. If you’re planning to visit Colombia, make sure to go to the Flower Fair in Medellín and enjoy flowers.


Colombia is one of the world's leading exporters of flowers. Their flower exports vary in color, shape and size.


Make sure to order them at MelodyFarms