What Is the Meaning of the Jasmine Flower?

Known for its intoxicating scent, jasmine is a popular flower that holds many spiritual meanings around the world, including love and purity. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about jasmine, including its common meanings, cultural meanings, and color meanings. Plus, learn other fun facts about jasmine, including its culinary and medicinal uses, and how to grow and care for it.

Jasmine Flower Symbolism: Quick Overview

Jasmine symbolizes love, purity, sensuality, and grace. Because the name jasmine comes from the Persian “yasmin,” meaning “gift from God,” jasmine is also sometimes associated with divinity and spiritual awakenings. It’s frequently used in weddings and religious ceremonies around the world.

Section 1 of 9:

Jasmine Flower Spiritual Meanings

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Jasmine is often connected to love and romance because of its intoxicating aroma and delicate beauty. Its romantic associations extend across the globe, as many cultures include jasmine blooms in wedding ceremonies and bridal bouquets.^{[1]
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Jasmine flowers are often white, which is a color associated with purity and innocence. The name jasmine also comes from the Persian “yasmin,” which means “gift from God.”^{[2]
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Research source} Because of this, the flower is often associated with divine optimism and purity, which is why many cultures include it in religious ceremonies.

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Jasmine flowers have a very intense, intoxicating aroma which is often associated with passion. Its fragrance is also more potent at night, reinforcing its association with nighttime intimacy and sensuality. Jasmine has also been used as an aphrodisiac because of its scent.^{[3]
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Jasmine vines are delicate and move gracefully. Because of this (and the flower’s delicate petals and pastel colors), jasmine is often associated with refinement and feminine beauty. It symbolizes grace and elegance.

Section 2 of 9:

Jasmine Meanings Around the World

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In the Philippines, jasmine is an important part of religious ceremonies. Jasmine is the national flower of the Philippines. Participants in religious ceremonies and other celebrations are often adorned with garlands of jasmine, as the blooms are used to bestow honor and veneration. Its white flowers represent purity, fidelity, and hope.^{[4]
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In Thailand, jasmine represents maternal love. In Thai culture, jasmine symbolizes purity, gentleness, loyalty, and a mother’s unconditional love. Children often present jasmine blooms to their mothers on Thai Mother’s Day as a gift of appreciation and love.^{[5]
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In Islam, jasmine symbolizes purity. The word “jasmine” comes from the Persian word “yasmin,” which means “gift from God.”^{[6]
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Research source} Because of this, many Islamic cultures associate the flower with purity, humility, and grace. It is often used to decorate mosques, homes, and public spaces, especially during religious holidays and events like Ramadan.
- Jasmine holds similar meanings in Christianity. While it isn’t explicitly mentioned in the Bible, many Christians associate the flower with purity, grace, God’s love, and the Virgin Mary.^{[7]
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Jasmine is the national flower of Pakistan. Known as “chameli” in Urdu, jasmine is a very common plant in Pakistan and is widely recognized as the country’s national flower. White jasmine symbolizes attachment, amiability, and modesty, and is often used in social events, festivals, and weddings.^{[8]
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Section 3 of 9:

Jasmine Flower Color Meanings

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The color white symbolizes purity and innocence.^{[9]
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Research source} White jasmine often represents new beginnings and the purity of love. It is often included in wedding decor and bridal bouquets and promotes a sense of tranquility and serenity.
Historically, purple has symbolized royalty, elegance, and luxury, and purple jasmine is no different.^{[10]
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Research source} This flower symbolizes opulence and sophistication and adds a touch of grandeur to any event. It is associated with wealth and is quite the majestic bloom.
The color yellow symbolizes happiness, friendship, and youth.^{[11]
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Research source} Yellow jasmine represents warmth, positivity, and joy. These blooms can add a bit of sunshine to any room and are a great way to cheer someone up.
Pink is often associated with love, femininity, and romance.^{[12]
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Research source} Pink jasmine also symbolizes purity, grace, and spiritual awakenings. Like white jasmine, this bloom is a popular choice for weddings as well as spiritual ceremonies.

Section 4 of 9:

What does the scent of jasmine mean?

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The scent of jasmine is often associated with divinity. In general, jasmine’s aroma holds the same meanings as the flower itself, including love, purity, sensuality, and grace. In some spiritual traditions, it is also associated with divinity and spiritual awakenings. Jasmine’s fragrance is believed to help you connect with your higher consciousness and the divine. Smelling jasmine randomly may also be a sign of divine presence or guidance.^{[13]
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Jasmine Flower Myths

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According to the Skandha Purana, the jasmine or “jati” flower is preferred by the god Vishnu. In the text, Vishnu explains, “The jati flower is better than all other flowers… the man who duly offers me a splendid garland with a thousand jati flowers… lives in my heavenly city for billions of kalpas (ages).”^{[14]
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According to legend, a Tuscan gardener received a jasmine plant from Persian traders. He planted it in his garden and refused to let anyone cut the flowers. Then, he presented a branch of the flowers to his beloved, and taken by the fragrance, she agreed to marry him. This began the Tuscan tradition of including jasmine in bridal bouquets.^{[15]
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Section 6 of 9:

Jasmine Culinary Uses

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Jasmine adds a unique fragrance to many dishes. Some varieties of jasmine, like jasmine sambac, are edible, and many people enjoy adding them to food because of their sweet, floral notes. Jasmine flowers are often infused in teas, syrups, and desserts to produce a subtle, yet distinct flavor. Jasmine rice is also popular in many Asian cuisines.^{[16]
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- Not all types of jasmine are edible. Before cooking with jasmine, make sure it is safe to consume.

Section 7 of 9:

Jasmine Health Benefits

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Jasmine has often been used in traditional medicine. Jasmine tea has many antioxidants that may improve immune function and cellular health. Jasmine also has calming properties believed to alleviate stress and anxiety and promote relaxation. In traditional medicine, jasmine tea has been used to aid digestion, soothe inflammation, and improve skin health.^{[17]
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- Jasmine is also commonly used in the practice of ayurveda, a traditional Indian practice that aims to treat disease through a holistic approach.^{[18]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
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  Go to source} Jasmine is known for its soothing properties and is mainly used to balance Pitta dosha. It also reduces stress and improves skin health.
- Many people also use jasmine essential oils to help with insomnia. When used in aromatherapy, these oils are said to lower heart rate and promote calmness.

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How to Grow & Care for Jasmine

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Plant jasmine in direct sunlight. Jasmine is a resilient plant that does best in direct sunlight. Plant your jasmine somewhere it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Some varieties, like winter jasmine, can tolerate partial shade, but your jasmine will bloom best in full sunlight.^{[19]
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- Because jasmine is a tropical plant, keep the surrounding temperature between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5-23.8 degrees Celsius). Don’t let the temperature drop below 41 degrees F (5 degrees C).
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Choose well-draining soil and water regularly. Keep your soil moist and well-drained at all times, but be careful not to waterlog it. To avoid overwatering and prevent root rot, pour water into the pot slowly, and water your jasmine about once a week whenever the soil feels dry.^{[20]
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- If jasmine becomes too moist, it may develop fungal diseases, like powdery mildew.
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Prune your jasmine to promote growth. Pruning and shaping your jasmine helps maintain your desired shape, encourages growth, and promotes the overall health of the plant. For the best results, prune after flowering (usually in late summer or early fall) and remove any dead, damaged, or diseased stems.^{[21]
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- Jasmine can go into shock if you prune too much, so try not to trim too much healthy growth.

Section 9 of 9:

Fun Facts About Jasmine

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There are over 200 species of jasmine. Jasmine belongs to the genus “Jasminium” and includes over 200 species. Most of these species originated in tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, though jasmine is now grown around the world. As surprising as it sounds, jasmine is also a part of the olive family.^{[22]
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Jasmine is more fragrant at night. Jasmine’s smell becomes stronger at night because the drop in temperature causes the flower to open up more.^{[23]
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Research source} In India, jasmine is sometimes known as “Queen of the Night” because of its strong aroma after sunset.
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Jasmine is often used in perfume. Because of its intoxicating aroma, jasmine has been used in perfume for thousands of years. It’s one of the most important ingredients in high-end perfumes today, and it’s often used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation.^{[24]
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