Snowdrops and the Supernatural: A Bloom Steeped in Folklore and Fear
A crisp chill lingers in the air as I walk through the quiet churchyard, the ground firm with frost beneath my feet.
Among the weathered gravestones, snowdrops emerge, their delicate white petals standing in contrast to the dark, damp earth.
They weave through the cracks of ancient stone, small yet resilient, a sign that winter is beginning to loosen its grip.
The stillness of the graveyard, combined with the gentle presence of these early blooms, creates a peaceful atmosphere.
In the cold, surrounded by history and nature, there is a quiet sense of reflection—life continuing in the midst of remembrance.
Snowdrops were likely introduced to the UK by Norman monks, with the first recorded cultivation in England dating back to the 16th century.
In 1597, they were mentioned in Gerard’s Great Herbal, where they were referred to as "Timely Flowers Bulbous Violets."
Traditionally, snowdrops were planted in churchyards for Candlemas Day (February 2) and cultivated in abbeys for their medicinal properties.
Its Latin name is Galanthus nivalis.
Galanthus means milk white flowers and the nivalis element translates as snowy according to the great botanist, Linnaeus in 1753.
The Victorians planted snowdrops extensively in graveyards, churchyards, and cemeteries, leading to their association with death and earning them the nickname Death’s Flower.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, a dark superstition surrounded these delicate blooms.
It was believed that finding a snowdrop inside the home was a bad omen, signifying impending doom.
Bringing the flower indoors from outside was thought to bring misfortune, with many fearing it foretold an imminent death in the household.
They were described by Margaret Baker in the 1903 ‘Encyclopedia of Superstitions, Folklore and the Occult of the World’ as:
‘So much like a corpse in a shroud that in some counties, the people will not have it in the house, lest they bring in death.‘
The most unlucky snowdrop was that with a single bloom on its stem.
Other folk traditions were described in a 1913 folklore handbook which claims that if a snowdrop was brought indoors it will make the cows milk watery and affect the colour of the butter.
Even as late as 1969 in ‘The Folklore of Plants’ it was stated that having a snowdrop indoors could affect the number of eggs that a sitting chicken might hatch.
Some other additional Symbolisms of Snowdrops
Hope – Snowdrops represent hope for brighter days and new opportunities ahead.
Rebirth – They symbolize resilience, overcoming challenges, and embracing life's transformations.
Purity – Their delicate white petals signify innocence, spirituality, and compassion.
New Beginnings – As one of the first flowers to bloom in early spring, snowdrops herald fresh starts and renewal.
Religious Associations
Christianity – Snowdrops are linked to the Candlemas festival, marking the presentation of Jesus at the temple.
Paganism – They are associated with Imbolc, a festival celebrating the transition from winter to spring.
So next time you find yourself in a churchyard on a cold February day, take a moment to notice the delicate white blooms peeking through the frost—beautiful yet solemn, a quiet reminder of life, death, and the whispers of those who came before.
As you stand among the stones of the past, smile—because even in the stillness, even in the cold, life always finds a way to return.
P. Wallace
Photos - © Somerset Photography at Holcombe Old Church - February 14th 2025