March 8 is around the corner, so instead of giving chocolates or awkward emails about Women\u2019s Day and girl power, it is time to step up. Fresh blooms are given all around the world to celebrate women. But mimosas? They have their own place. These delicate yet sturdy flowers reflect women\u2019s grace and power.<\/p>\n
When you hand these fluffy yellow puffballs that smell like sunshine and subtly whisper that you\u2019re tougher than you look, it is what brings a smile to your favorite woman’s face. Mimosas are popular flowers in Italy and Russia, and the unsung hero of International Women\u2019s Day (IWD).<\/p>\n
In this article, we are going to talk about the bright blooms that have been stealing the show since the 1940s. We will be digging into its roots, so let\u2019s begin.<\/p>\n
Women back in the day were merely treated as subjects: they had no rights, were treated as second-class citizens, and were given peanuts for their work. So if you think IWD (International Women\u2019s Day) started as a Hallmark holiday, you\u2019re wrong there.<\/p>\n
This day was born from strikes and a whole lot of shouting for rights. Women all around the world (Italy, Russia, New York City, etc.) protested for their rights, gender equality, and safety.<\/p>\n
Although this day is celebrated with brunches, spa deals, and by giving flowers to women<\/a> to celebrate their feminine energy and strength, if we rewind the clock, it was tough for women, and they endured a lot for the privileges women have today.<\/p>\n You must be thinking how and why mimosa? Did somebody spin a flower wheel and land on it? Probably not! This tradition began in Italy after World War 2. Three women from the UDI (Union of Italian Women) were looking for a first peacetime Women\u2019s Day symbol.<\/p>\n Several flowers were suggested, but they didn\u2019t set well with them. Then, bang! Mimosas entered into the picture as they bloom in early March, making them perfect for 8th March celebrations.<\/p>\n These blooms are cheap, don\u2019t wilt under pressure, blossom even in tough spots, and are delicate but resilient, thus symbolizing women fighting inequality and fascism. From there, the traditions were born and spread to Russia and beyond.<\/p>\n Mimosa is the queen of Italy. As 8th March approaches, the streets buzz with vendors having a plethora of bouquets. People exchange bouquets to celebrate and showcase solidarity; husbands give to their wives, students to their teachers, and women to each other.<\/p>\n Plus, a girls\u2019 night out is a must that day. Ladies hang out for some good chat, wine and a cake that mimics a flower, with sponge cubes and lemon cream.<\/p>\n Do you know Liguria\u2019s \u201cFlower Riviera\u201d produces about 90% of global mimosas? These blooms are also exported to Russia<\/a> and Poland<\/a> for this celebration. However, mimosas are not big in the UK or UAE, but florists do keep mimosa bouquets to celebrate IWD.<\/p>\n Apart from its significance, it is a very interesting bloom. So let\u2019s take a quick science detour.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Mimosa is not just any flower; it is from the family of beans and peas. Mimosa or Acacia dealbata, or silver wattle, is an Australian native plant. It is a tree or a shrub with fern-like leaves that are sensitive to touch.<\/p>\n Another species, Mimosa pudica, is an introvert in the plant world. These blooms fold inward and become droopy when touched, hence the name mimosa, as they mimic shyness or sleep.<\/p>\n However, Acacia dealbata or yellow puffball mimosa has captured the hearts. Their admiration is based on multiple factors, including stunning appeal, perfect bloom time, delightful fragrance, delicate appearance, incredible photogenicity, easy blooming, and deep cultural importance.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, these cheerful pom-pom fluffy balls are an emblem of femininity and new beginnings, hence making them an iconic symbol of IWD across the globe.<\/p>\n From becoming a national symbol after World War 2 to global bouquets today, the mimosas\u2019 journey mirrors women\u2019s progress over the years, i.e., being unbreakable, bright, defiant yet delicate.<\/p>\nHow Mimosa Became a Popular IWD Symbol?<\/h2>\n
Mimosa\u2019s Significance in Russia, Italy, and Other Countries<\/h3>\n
Let\u2019s Get Into Some Plant Nerdery<\/h2>\n
Wrapping Up: Mimosas and the Women We Celebrate<\/h2>\n