Ferns have been used for millennia to spread through bark and soil, creating a new green world throughout the centers of origin. Ferns are prolific but are barely known to most people because they hide beneath the ground or in other areas out of sight.
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About the Fern
The Fern is quite an old plant, dating as far back as 400 million years based on fossils that have been uncovered so far.
Originally a water plant, ferns have evolved over time until they became the variation that we now see on land, though some have retained their prehistoric appearance.
Before you learn what spiritual symbolism the fern has, let’s look at the factual details. Ferns grow in damp places and survive in shady spots where other plants cannot live. Ferns can be found on all continents except Antarctica. The leaves of a fern are called fronds. They contain scales that are more similar to an insect’s wing than to a leaf. Ferns can live for hundreds of years because they’re rooted to the ground with tuber-shaped rhizomes, which look like underground stems that store starch and sugars.
Fern (family: Polypodiaceae) is a small, delicate plant with soft, waxy leaves. It grows wild in the woods of North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. The fern is a symbol of new beginnings, health and frugality. This versatile plant can be used in magical practices to protect one from mischievous spirits or to see into their lives. Fern’s energy is connected with the growth and health of plants. This makes it a powerful tool to consecrate herbal mixtures, magic potions and love charms.
Ferns symbolize the hidden, inner beauty of a person. Ferns are also associated with the underworld and with the self-sacrifice needed to make yourself vulnerable in order to be loved by others.
The fern is also a symbol of patience, endurance and rebirth—things we all need in order to make it through our lives.
The fern is a symbol of the connection between the divine and earthly realms.
The fern plant has roots, leaves, and an underground stem that connects it to the ground. The plant’s leaves appear to be unique in that they are not simply a single leaf but rather a set of leaflets growing out of one another. This symbolizes how every person on earth has roots that reach into their past as well as a future they will create for themselves.
The fern also represents the connection between all things in nature. Although it may seem like each fern is separate from the others, they all rely on each other to thrive.
Spiritual Meaning of Fern Plant
Many myths and mysteries surround the Fern, whose name originated from the Anglo-Saxon term “fearn”, meaning feather, due to the shape and pattern of its leaves.
Remember that symbolism is subjective. The below are examples of possible interpretations only and may not be the correct interpretations for you and your situation.
Fern Symbolism Native American
The fern is symbolic of everlasting youth. Many indigenous people believe that the fern represents new life and new beginnings. It has since become an important symbol in New Zealand. In Japanese culture, ferns are believed to symbolize family and hope for future generations. In other cultures, ferns are known as symbols of eternal youth, love, and growth. In Victorian times, ferns represented humility and sincerity.
The fern has been revered for centuries by various cultures around the world for its symbolic meaning of everlasting youth and new beginnings. In New Zealand, the fern is considered a powerful symbol of new life and new beginnings by many indigenous peoples. The unfurling fronds of the fern represent the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, making it a cherished emblem of renewal and growth.
In Japanese culture, ferns hold a special significance as symbols of family and hope for future generations. The intricate patterns of a fern’s leaves are likened to the intricate connections within a family, with each individual contributing to the overall strength and resilience of the unit. This symbolism is reflected in Japanese art and literature, where ferns are often used to represent familial bonds and aspirations for a bright future.
Across different cultures, ferns are recognized as symbols of eternal youth, love, and growth. Their ability to thrive in diverse environments and constantly regenerate themselves has made them powerful symbols of resilience and vitality. In Victorian times, ferns were highly valued for their representation of humility and sincerity, with their delicate appearance and unassuming nature evoking sentiments of modesty and grace.
The spiritual meaning of the fern can be further explored through biblical stories and cultural symbolism. In the Bible, plants are often used as metaphors for spiritual growth and transformation. One relevant verse is Psalm 92:12-14, which highlights the flourishing of the righteous like a palm tree or cedar of Lebanon, symbolizing strength, longevity, and prosperity. This imagery can be extended to include the fern, with its enduring qualities and ability to flourish in challenging conditions.
Overall, the fern’s symbolism of everlasting youth and new beginnings resonates deeply with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Its representation of growth, resilience, and hope serves as a powerful reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the opportunities for renewal and transformation that come with each new season. Whether as a representation of familial bonds, humility, or eternal youth, the fern continues to inspire and captivate individuals seeking spiritual meaning and connection in their lives.
Fern Symbolism in Myths and Folklore
With its long history and mystical beginnings, it is not surprising that there are many stories about the Fern in many written works and folklore shared by different cultures over the years.
Because of its unusual structure of not having a seed, many stories floated about in old times about this mystery.
Theories ranged from a flower that rarely makes an appearance to the plant having magical powers and the seed being actually invisible.
1. Invisibility
A popular theme from the 1700s was the belief that the Fern has the power to turn anyone invisible, owing to its missing seed.
Because the early scientists could not find any trace of its seed and had not yet figured out how the plant actually reproduced, there was a legend that the plant’s seeds were actually invisible.
This legend became so pervasive that it was mentioned in some of the most popular plays and literature of the time,, including:
- The play “Henry IV” by William Shakespeare
- The fairy tale “The Traveling Companion” by Hans Christian Andersen
- The comedy “The Light Heart” by writer Ben Johnson
2. Vision and Eyesight
Folk tales in other cultures tell of how the leaves of the Fern have the ability to restore sight or how the seed can make one be able to see the future.
In Scotland, there was a record of a medicinal procedure from the 1700s claiming that the leaves of the fern mixed with egg whites could cure reddened eyes or short-term blindness by applying the mixture to the patient’s face and brows.
Meanwhile, in 19th-century England, a fairy tale called “The Shepherd’s Daughter” mentioned how the seeds of the Fern plant were able to cure the eyes of mer-babies.
A Russian fern story tells of a farmer who suddenly received visions of hidden treasures after coincidentally getting the seed inserted in his shoe.
3. Good Fortune
Since no one has ever seen the seeds of the Fern plant, there have also sprouted many stories about the mystical process of harvesting the seeds.
In Baltic mythology, there used to be tales claiming that the flower of the Fern plant would only bloom once a year at midnight, either on St. John’s Eve or during the summer solstice.
And whoever manages to seize this rare flower or the seed inside it will instantly gain riches beyond compare.
During the Middle Ages, an old tale in England spoke of the mysterious blue fern flower.
It was said that the flower would only appear at midnight on a stack of 12 pewter plates, and inside was the miraculous golden seed of the Fern.
Some versions spoke instead of a red flower that blossomed so brightly that it could even light up a whole forest.
It was also said that the plant would only grow on burial grounds where treasures could be found. Trolls, on the other hand, would allegedly watch over these locations to prevent treasure theft.
4. It Provides Light and Protection
For the Maoris of New Zealand, the ferns symbolize strength and endurance, as well as light and guidance.
The silver fern, in particular, has been recognized as the national plant since the 1800s, with the image of the leaves commonly used in sports and in the military.
The silver fern is an important symbol of Maori culture that now widely represents the country of New Zealand.
The plants would also serve as natural road lamps at night, as the shiny underside of the leaves gives off a warm glow due to the reflection of light from the moon and stars.
Other folklore circulating about ferns includes stories that fern leaves can ward off evil spirits and confuse dark magic, how the plant has the ability to bestow eternal youth, and how fern leaves have the power to end drought and bring rain.
Some stories are as simple as the plant being able to prevent toothache for a whole year just by biting into the first branch sprouts in spring.
Luckily, times have changed and we now have access to modern dentistry, rendering the freshly-grown fern method of preventing toothache unnecessary.
5. A Symbol of Love and Growth
Ferns often symbolize confidence, love, and security because of their lush leaves, bouncy stems, and the ability to exist throughout history.
The maidenhair fern, in particular, was also believed to represent the love bond that ties two lovers together.
Boston Ferns, on the other hand, were believed to indicate happiness, mainly because of their lively appearance.
Some people also prefer to tattoo an image of the fern on their body as a symbol of their pride and determination and as a reminder to keep moving forward and leave their past behind.
Fern Dream Meaning
Fern in the modern dream book. Fern in a dream foretells trouble and sad foreboding that will make you forget the joy of happy days. Withered or dried-up fern leaves in a dream, warn that the illness of loved ones will make you worry a lot.
Fern in the dream book of Miller. I you see fern in your dream, be ready that your serene and cheerful days will be overshadowed by dreary and dark forebodings. Withered fern leaves predict disease in close people, the influence of which you’ll experience on your own health.
Fern in Freud’s dream book. Fern, which appeared in a dream, is a harbinger of your sufferings and worries. You think that your intimate life is boring and nothing new happens in it. The gray days have replaced your happy sexual life, overwhelming you with a monotony of emotions and actions. You think that sex doesn’t bring you satisfaction anymore, but the passion has not disappeared anywhere; it just became an everyday routine. Most likely, you are impulsive and lively person, so you are depressed by thoughts that a steady relationship may bring some charm or joy. Remember: you’ll be able to bring back the bright colors into the old feeling; you just need to try.
The plant has a lot of healthy, green and large leaves and predicts pleasant chores and care that will bring satisfaction and enhance the material level.
If you dreamed of a shrub that stands next to the house and has a lot of foliage, in the near future you will experience unexpected wealth and happiness and will acquire essential knowledge and skills.
If you see a poisonous plant that can hurt you, such a dream is a symbol of the trap, which is prepared by detractors and enemies, so you must be very careful not to be caught in it. And if you dream of a useful plant, it means that there will be a meeting with good friends and a possible joint vacation that will be remembered for a long time.
If you dream of a house surrounded by a lot of fern, it means that someone is using you, pretending to be your friend, and maybe even taking out your energy. If you dreamed of plants, it is important to pay attention to their condition, as they also symbolize life. Lush and blooming indicate happiness and well-being, and fading or damage is a sign of problems in personal life or different diseases.
If you dreamed of a green lawn with ferns, it means that your expectations and hopes will come true, but not very soon. Particular attention should be paid to sleep, where there are medicinal plants. This means that you have some friends who give you energy and positive emotions and can help in any situation.