Day of the Daisy: When a Simple Flower Becomes the Hero of Summer Imagine an endless field covered with white petals with golden hearts. The wind rustles them, and it seems like the earth is smiling. The daisy is a flower known to everyone: children, adults, poets, and scientists. It's not exotic, not capricious, and doesn't require special care. But it's in this simplicity that its magic lies. And it has its own day. On June 24, in many countries around the world, the Day of the Daisy is unofficially celebrated. In the US, it's called National Daisy Day, but in Europe and Russia, this modest flower also has its festive dates and traditions. On this day, we remember that beauty can be unpretentious, and joy is in the little things. Where It Came From: A Botanical Portrait The daisy is not a single species but an entire family of composite plants. The most famous is the medicinal daisy (Matricaria chamomilla), but there are also oxeye daisies, dandelions, and many others, which are also called daisies by the people. The true daisy is distinguished from its look-alikes by a delicate apple scent and a hollow receptacle. Its homeland is Eurasia, but today it grows everywhere: in fields, along roads, in vacant lots, and even in city parks. It's not fussy, hardy, and abundant in blooming from May to September. This is its symbolism: it gives itself away without reserve, asking nothing in return. A Symbol Older Than Many Civilizations The daisy carries many meanings. In ancient Egypt, it was considered a sacred flower dedicated to the sun god Ra. In Scandinavian mythology, it was the flower of the goddess of love Freya — a symbol of tenderness and fertility. In Christian tradition, the daisy was associated with the Virgin Mary, symbolizing purity and humility. But the daisy has the most solid place in Slavic folklore. It was used for love divination: "loves — doesn't love," by pulling off petals. This divination has survived the centuries and remains the most romanti ... Read more