The Legend of the Forget-Me-Not’s Name

The forget-me-not flower has a name intriguing enough to make any wanderer who comes across its tiny, cerulean petals, grow curious about its title. Here’s the backstory explaining why forget-me-nots carry that wishful name.

The folklore legend begins with a young knight and his lover strolling along the banks of the Danube River. Across the water, they spotted Myosotis Palustris growing. The man decided to retrieve those beautiful flowers for his beautiful lady. He departed into the river and despite the thunderous current, retrieved a bundle of small, baby blue flowers! Yet on the way back, the knight’s heavy armor caused him to lose his footing and slip into the river! The rushing water began to overtake him. As he was drowning, the knight used his last ounce of strength to toss the flowers ashore to his lover, and used his last breath to call out “Forget me not!” The woman wore the flowers in her hair every day until she passed, never forgetting her love.

Alternate Tales:

Fable: A traveler stands at the foot of a mountain and reaches down to pick a flower he had never before come across. As soon as he lifts up the plant, the mountain opens to reveal a cave bursting with glorious treasures! In disbelief, the traveler drops the flowers which shout, “Forget me not!” as the mountain closes again, forever.

Christian/Greek (under Zeus): God walked about His garden, naming each flower as He went along. Eventually, the Lord came to a small and fragile blue one which meekly admitted that it had forgotten its name. God looked upon it and spoke, “Forget-me-not,” as He would always remember the flower.

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Alternate Names:

Scorpion Grass • due to the flower’s head resembling a scorpion’s tale

Mouse’s Ear • due to the rounded, fuzzy petal’s similarity to mice ears

Online Sources Cited:

“Story behind the Name of This Flower: Forget Me Not (Myosotis)”

Wijngaarden,

“Forget-me-not: a Love Story”

Hodgson,

“The History of Forget Me Not Flowers”

Katemopoulos,

Photographs Found on Above Websites and Pinterest

Now don’t you forget! Learn more about flowers, and everything cottagecore by checking this blog!