Ivy Meaning

The ivy signifies friendship and affection. 

It can also mean fidelity and loyalty as well as marriage and a strong bond of love in marriage.  This is mostly because of the vine qualities of the ivy.  Since it looks like a cord, it symbolizes a binding and it’s what will keep couples and friends close together.  In witch lore, it’s also a symbol of protection too.  It can also be a tool for healing rituals and shun away evil spirits.

On the more religious side for the symbolism of the ivy, it depicts eternal life.  It started out as a pagan belief but then after, it was incorporated into the Christian belief.  It also signifies a new promise.

• Name:  Ivy
• Color:  The most common color that ivy flowers have is greenish yellow.  However, it can be different on other species of ivy.
• Shape:  The flowers of ivy are umbel shaped but again that depends on the type of ivy.  There are other varieties of these vines that have flowers that are funnel shaped or distinctly bell shaped.
• Fact:  It got its name from the Celtic word that means cord.
• Poisonous:  All types of ivy, except the grape ivy and the Swedish ivy are poisonous.
• Number of Petals:  For the common species of ivy, the flowers have five small petals.
• Victorian Interpretation:  The Victorian meaning attached to the ivy and its flowers are friendship and affection as well as wedded love and fidelity.
• Blossom Time:  Ivy blooms in the later part of summer up to the early fall.

Superstitions: 

Just like the holly flower, ivy flower is always part of the Christmas tradition. In the olden days, people decorated their homes with ivy.  To some, it’s a plant of good luck while for others - it’s a magnet for bad luck if you bring it to your home as it will make the people in the house get sick.

To shun away any negative vibes on the Ivy flower and ensure that it forms into a good luck charm for the home, it has to be combined with holly flower. Ivy pertains to the female plant while the holly is its male counterpart.  However, the ivy should never be dominated by evergreen plants in decoration.  If there are more evergreen plants, it’s going mean that harm is on its way.

• The Shape:  For the common ivy, the flowers are shaped up like an umbel, a cluster of small flowers.  But with other species of ivy, the flowers take on a more funnel like shape or even a bell shape.
• Petals:  Just like holly, the fruits of the ivy make it the perfect symbol for Christmas.  Blooming flowers will just have small and delicate petals.
• Numerology:  The ivy is number 2.  It denotes cooperation, partnership and also the consideration of others.
• Color:  The greenish white color of the flowers of ivy gives it its meaning too.  Contrary to popular belief, green is the symbol of love particularly in color magic. And combined with the tinges of white on the flower, it also means fidelity and loyalty.  These are the perfect characteristics that make a happy marriage.

Herbalism and Medicine:  

Not so long ago, the fruits of ivy were boiled and the water that was used to boil it was used to treat skin problems.  Anything from wounds to dandruff, skin infections and sore can be treated with ivy.  These days, ivy is used for treating upper respiratory problems.  Mainly, it’s the active compounds of the ivy that make it so effective.  It loosens up mucus and then stimulates respiratory secretions.  Dry cough is also an ailment that the ivy flower can help with.