Reflecting on the abundant daisies growing freely on the lawn in their beauty and simplicity, reminds me of the many musings and memories of childhood. We are all familiar with Harry Dacre’s ditty; “Daisy, daisy give me your answer do….”
The graves of those who had passed away often had daisies growing on them and such people were often mentioned as “pushing up the daisies!” When a child who is learning to walk falls, the 18th century expression “upsy daisy” is used. The making of daisy chains, fun, play activity, is said to originate from a time when women made them for the Knights to wear as they rode into battle or at jousting tournaments, as a sign of connection, affection and in defence of their lady’s honour.
The daisy, with a story stretching back to Biblical times, is said to have sprung from the tears of Mary Magdalene, also known as God’s smile. It is thought that the name “daisy” is a contraction of the Old English name for the common daisy flower, “daes eag” which directly translates to “day’s eye”. This relates to how daisies open at the dawn and close again when the sun sets. The phrase “fresh as a daisy” well rested, full of energy, also stems from this time.
In Celtic lore, daisies are seen as symbols of simplicity and innocence. They were believed to lessen the sorrow of grieving parents, with legends stating that God sprinkled daisies over the earth to comfort those who lost children.
Christianity adopted the daisy as a symbol of Mary, highlighting innocence, simplicity, and humility. Its simple beauty reflects Christian values. Daisies also have a cosmic connection. In medieval times daisies were used to symbolise the sun, due to their shape and the vibrant yellow centre.
There are over 20,000 species of daisies throughout the world, displaying an incredible diversity in size, colour, and habitat.
Daisies, one of the forgotten gems in our common home, teach us valuable life lessons through their simple, uncomplicated existence. Their cycle of opening with the sunrise and closing at dusk teaching us the value of resilience and the promise of new beginnings. Despite the challenges, we face in our suffering world in crisis, they give us hope. The daisy’s enduring symbolism across cultures and ages teaches us the timeless value of beauty, simplicity, and the deep connections we share with nature, with one another and with the whole of creation.
Let the simple, beautiful daisy speak to you and be thankful for one of God’s great gifts.
Liz (Elizabeth) Hartigan, a Sister of Our Lady of the Missions (RNDM), now retired and living a semi active life in an aging community in Dublin Ireland, after spending over fifty years on mission outside her own country. She is an Educator with teacher training from Liverpool UK and Degrees in Psychology and Theology.
Apart from many years in schools, her ministry has taken her to work with adults with disabilities, pastoral ministry in prison and in parish. She has served the Congregation on Leadership Teams both internationally and locally and feels privileged to have experienced the hard-working missionary spirit of RNDM’s in many needy and difficult areas throughout the world. At present she is Province contact for “Care of Our Common Home” Congregational project as well as enjoying the services she gives in community and in the area.
I certainly did become more aware of the daisy in reading your reflection, and how daisy images and saying are sprinkled all through my life. I felt like I was gathering daisies as I read! And, as you note, gathering “valuable life lessons through their simple, uncomplicated existence.”