Born in August? Learn more about your birth flower at http://www.whatsmybirthflower.com.

1. Created by: www.whatsmybirthflower.com

2. The August flower is the Gladiolus.



The name for the flower is from the Latin word
„gladius‟ which means sword, a reference to
the shape of the plant leaves.
“Love At First Sight” is the meaning of this
flower when offered as a gift.
Created by: www.whatsmybirthflower.com

3. About Gladiolus



Glads, as they are often called, are native to
tropical and South Africa and are any plant of
the genus Gladiolus. The plant has swordshaped leaves with one-sided spikes of funnelshaped, bright flowers.
Discovered in South Africa in the 17th and
18th centuries, the gladiolus was used as a
food.
Created by: www.whatsmybirthflower.com

4. In Ancient Rome





Gladiator battles were fought „to the death or
gladioli‟ where the victor was buried under
gladioli by cheering crowds in celebration for
winning the fight.
It was from this history that the glad has also
become known as the „sword lily‟ and referred
to as the flower of the Roman gladiators.
The meaning attached to the flower is that of
moral character.
The earliest written reference to the glad is in
The Bible in the Book of Matthew (6:28) which
states, “And why take ye thought for raiment?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow;
they toil not, neither do they spin.”
Created by: www.whatsmybirthflower.com

5. In Europe





Hybridization and experimentation started
around 1800 in Britain with the earliest known
Africa gladiolus grown in Europe dating back
to 1680.
Europeans were aware of this flower for
centuries as an inhabitant of fields where corn
grew around the Mediterranean Sea.
Europe received the first South African species
of gladiolus between 1739 and 1745. They
were delivered by Dutch and English ships that
stopped in Cape Town for supplies and water.
The first English hybridization took place in
1806 by William Herbert.
Created by: www.whatsmybirthflower.com

6. In Dutch




The Dutch have adapted the ancient Roman
chant to a modern day saying which roughly
translates to „death or the gladioli‟ in English.
The meaning of the chant is „all or nothing‟
and as the flower has become a sign of
strength and victory – as the reward
presented following a great achievement – the
expression of honour is extended to the
walkers participating in the Four Days
Marches.
The symbolic gesture signifies that the
walkers are viewed as being as heroic and the
ancient Roman gladiators were in their era.
Created by: www.whatsmybirthflower.com

7. Uses of Gladiolus



Gladiola corms were used as a medicinal
poultice that assisted in drawing splinters
from skin.
When powdered corms were mixed with goat‟s
milk it became a drink that aided in the relief
of colic.
Created by: www.whatsmybirthflower.com

8. Symbols of Gladiolus



Gladioli are also the symbol of the Four Days
Marches in the Netherlands. In fact, the oldest
city in that country, Nijmegen, changes the
name of one major street there to Via Gladiola
once a year and welcomes walkers on the last
day of the Four Days Marches.
They are celebrated as heroes and spectators
present gladioli to the walkers to honour
them.
Created by: www.whatsmybirthflower.com

9. Who uses Gladiolus?



In more contemporary times, singer Morrissey
danced with gladioli hanging from a back
pocket. He also had a bunch of yellow glads he
swung around in the music video „This
Charming Man.‟
Dame Edna Everage, a well-known Australian
comedian, used the gladioli as her signature
flower and the glad is also the flower
associated with a fortieth wedding
anniversary.
Created by: www.whatsmybirthflower.com

10. Created by: www.whatsmybirthflower.com