The California poppy represents a whole host of different things from gold, to death and even medicine.
Flowers have often been used as a way to carry meaning, both good and bad, for centuries.
They were often given spiritual meanings as well as cultural meanings, allowing them to hold a different meaning depending on their context.
The message conveyed by a flower is true whether the flower is in physical form or in the form of artwork.
For this reason, many people often have a particular affinity toward one particular flower.
So, with such a personal meaning attached to the flower people often choose to have it tattooed on them so that they are also accompanied by this meaning.
However, before considering any flower tattoo you should research the symbolism behind it as you would not want to end up stuck with a flower that you do not identify with or one that could bring you bad luck.
So, here we will talk about the California poppy, what it symbolizes and even a few tattoo design ideas.
The meaning behind the California poppy
The poppy is a flower that has significantly different meanings depending on where you are in the world.
The poppy was associated with medicine and trade in the East and heroism in Britain but what about the California poppy?
The California poppy is the official flower of California, officially adopted as such in 1903.
However, the flower also goes by the names “golden poppy” and “California sunlight” thanks to its beautiful golden tone.
So, if you are from California, or have a special connection to the state, then a tattoo of the California poppy can be a great yet subtle way to signify that.
Not only is the poppy native to California but its golden coloring means that it also seen to represent the gold rush in California as a field of these particularly poppies is called a “field of gold”.
If gold is something that signifies you or your family, for example, if you had relatives that were involved in the gold rush, then this is also a great way to pay homage to them.
However, one thing to take into consideration is that the poppy’s associations with medicine and opium production can also be seen as a negative symbol. It is known to also represent sleep and death and this meaning has survived today from antiquity.
The association of sleep with the California poppy also brings then meaning of peace and rest, giving the flower a calm and less.
Yet these meanings need not necessarily be negative but rather as a positive thing and can actually be a beautiful way for those in the funeral industry, such as morticians, to represent their line of work in a tattoo.
It makes a great alternative to perhaps more traditionally morbid tattoos that many people think of when they think of death.
Another people that the California poppy holds special meaning for is Californian Indians, who would traditionally use the poppy both as food and for the oil extracted from the flower.
If you have American Indian heritage then adding a California poppy tattoo to your collection could be a beautiful way to remember this.
Tattoo designs and ideas
Due to its stunning golden color as the main thing that sets it apart from other types of poppy, as well as the color being the base for several of its meanings and association with the state of California, this is certainly one tattoo that looks best in color.
A single flower
Even though the California poppy grows in large fields there is something so beautifully delicate about a single flower tattoo.
The flower does not have any connection in its meanings to multiple or a bunch of the same type.
A small single flower tattoo of the California poppy would make a great tattoo for both men and women and can hold any of the meanings stated above.
There is no need for you to share which, making the tattoo subtle, personal and beautiful.
To make the tattoo even more delicate you should choose to opt for a design without any harsh black lines, as this will allow the shades of gold to flow over into one another and create a beautifully feminine look.
If you want to make sure that every detail on your California poppy tattoo is pronounced, or even just to make sure that the tattoo itself stands out, you should include a black outline of all of the petals as this will help to give the tattoo more definition as well as a more classic style.
Multiple flowers
If the flower holds several different meanings for you, given that there are so many this is entirely possible, then getting a California poppy for each of them is a great way to symbolize them all in their own right.
This will not allow one meaning to overshadow the others and give them each their place in the spotlight.
However, these flowers need not be their own individual tattoo, unless desired of course, but rather could be placed on the same stem to mimic how the poppies grow in the wild fields.
Conclusion
The California poppy is a beautifully rich golden flower that signifies a whole range of meanings depending on where you are in the world and the connection that you have to the flower.
If you are looking for a flower tattoo whose meaning is not abundantly clear then this is certainly a very good option.
If you are a mortician, doctor, of American Indian or Californian heritage, or even had ancestors involved in the gold rush then the California poppy makes a great tattoo choice for you.
The flower is easily adapted to suit almost any style of tattooing, meaning that you can blend it in with your existing tattoos or have it stand out.
You can showcase both a deep meaning and your own personality with a California poppy tattoo.
