The history of the Daisy – Stories and Legends

The Daisy can also mean chastity and transformation as told by the Roman myth of Vertumnus and Belides. Vertumnus, god of seasons and gardens, became enamored with Belides, a nymph. He continuously pursued her, and in order to escape his affections she turned herself into a daisy. Daisy’s scientific name Bellis, stems from this story.

The daisy is also associated with the Norse god Freya, as this is her sacred flower. Freya is the god of love, beauty and fertility and therefore the daisy has a strong connection with motherhood, new beginnings and purity. 

According to the Celtic legend, whenever an infant died, God would sprinkle daisies over the earth to bring cheer to morning parents.

In Old English, daisies were referred to as “day’s eye” because at night the petals close over the yellow center and during the day they re-open. The phrase “as fresh as a daisy” originated from this, signifying that someone had a good night’s rest.