Felicia and the Pot of Pinks was another of my favorite fairy tales. I always wondered- why a pot of pinks? Why not a pot of, say, geraniums? Through my research this week one of the things that I discovered is this from a book entitled Flower Lore by Hilderic Friend:

It has been generally supposed that the name has reference to the flesh (carnis) colour of the blossoms, but in Sussex we still hear a pronunciation of the name which leads us to the right conclusion. The peasantry will often point with pride to their “cornations” which reminds us that Spencer calls on us to

“Bring coronations and sops-in-wine, worn of paramours.”

The old spelling, and the pronunciation “coronation” or “cornation” -for both occur in the herbals of three hundred years ago,- take us at once to the origin of the name. The plant was one of those used in the formation of garlands (coronæ).

The old spelling, and the pronunciation “coronation” or “cornation” -for both occur in the herbals of three hundred years ago,- take us at once to the origin of the name. The plant was one of those used in the formation of garlands (coronæ).”

Knowing this adds a great deal to the story for me. Of course the Princess needed her crown! How convenient that it came with its own prince.

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You may find the written version here.

If you prefer the audio version, it is here.

And just in case Jay Ward was one of the defining influences on your impressionable psyche during your formative years (he was THE defining influence on mine), please enjoy his take on this story in the Fractured Fairytales.

By the way, if you are as much a lover of both plants and stories as I am, the book Flower Lore is an absolute treasure. Here is a link to download a free PDF of it. I do hope it brings you as many happy evenings as it has brought me.

Thanks for stopping by!