A Traditional Christmas Celebration

The Snowdrop

November 18th, 2006

Download a high resolution clip art image of the Snowdrop

The botanical name, Galanthus, is taken from the Greek, and signifies milk-flower.

So many of our young friends have asked us to show them a snowdrop, that we have had this picture made for them. Can they tell which are the flowers of the plant, and which are the leaves?

We can count six flowers in the bunch. Three of them are almost in full bloom; but the other three are not. The snowdrop is the first blossom of the year. We saw it in bloom the twentieth day of last February, and it often blooms until April.

Is it not a dainty little flower, as it droops from its tender stalk? It has three outer petals of a pale green, and inside of these are three white ones, pure as snow amid which it is born.

The snow and frost do not kill this brave little snowdrop. The French call it the snow-piercer. The Germans call it the snow-bell; and the old Greeks called it the milk-flower. It is the emblem of hope. There is a little fable which some one has made up, and which, if you care to hear, I will tell.

It is said that Hope, one winter day, stood watching the snow as it fell to the earth. Hope wished that the white flakes were fair blossoms to gladden the land, rather than snow to chill it. And then Spring, who was not far off, raised her fair arms, and, smiling sweetly, breathed on the falling flakes till they took the forms of flowers, and fell on the earth in clusters of snowdrops. On seeing this, Hope, delighted, caught one of the blossoms, and made it her emblem or sign.

Entry Filed under: Winter