Dandelion: The Bold Beginner

If you read my last post, it might seem like a bit of a stretch to go from wedding bouquets to dandelions. After all, wedding bouquets are full of some of the most well-loved plants: roses, peonies, dahlias, eucalyptus...and dandelions are probably one of the most despised. 

But maybe we’re judging these bright little friends a little too harshly. After all, they’re highly nutritious, and a very powerful medicine. Dandelion root has long been used to support the liver, and the plant (which is fully edible!) is high in many nutrients. 

From a feng shui perspective, dandelion embodies the concept of Zhen, which relates to family, new beginnings, and spring. Dandelion has a potent connection to family and new beginnings — think of how easily its seeds spread to create new plants.

Anyone who has tried to pull up a dandelion knows how resilient these plants are. They can grow in environments as inhospitable as a sidewalk crack, and no matter how many times they’ve been pulled up, you can be sure there will be new growth again soon. While this can be frustrating to gardeners who dream of perfectly green lawns, there’s also wisdom in the dandelion’s persistence. For most of us, there are probably areas in our lives where we could stand to be a little more like the dandelion: deeply rooted, tenacious, determined to grow. 

A lot of our objections to dandelion likely stem from its less-than-beautiful appearance, with its jagged leaves and tufty petals. But have you ever seen a big field, sprinkled with yellow dandelion flowers, glowing in the afternoon sun? If you step back from any preconceived notions about dandelions and beauty (or lack thereof) it’s really quite magical. 

I also think there’s something inspiring about the way that dandelions show up boldly, even though most people don’t like them. Perhaps there’s a lesson there too, in having the courage to keep showing up and shining brightly, regardless of what people think. 

Rather than writing off dandelion as an irksome weed, maybe we can think of it as our friend and ally: someone to turn to for inspiration when we’re starting something new, or when we’re growing into bolder versions of ourselves; a role model who encourages us to keep pursuing the dreams that nourish us, even when the conditions might not feel ideal or when we might not have the kind of support we want from the people in our lives.

While dandelion may still not be everyone’s favorite plant, I hope we can start to appreciate it for all of its unique gifts...even though I still may not be designing or illustrating dandelion-filled wedding bouquets.

p.s. Want to keep a reminder of dandelion’s humble brilliance nearby? Hang dandelion artwork in your home.