Amaryllis is a genus named Hippeastrum, with “Hippeastrum” meaning “knight’s star”. Despite its common name, the term “amaryllis” is Greek for “to sparkle”. Amaryllis flowers symbolize strength, beauty, and love, and are often given as a sign of hope and renewal during the holidays.
Holiday favorite: Amaryllis flowers are often forced to bloom in time for the holidays, and the U.S. imports over 10 million bulbs annually for this purpose.
A “knight’s star”: The genus name Hippeastrum comes from the Greek words for “horse” and “star”.
“To sparkle”: The name “amaryllis” is derived from the Greek word Amarullis, meaning “to sparkle” or “splendor”.
Symbolism: Amaryllis flowers symbolize strength, beauty, and love. In Greece, they represent achievement and success and are given to competition winners, while in China, the red amaryllis can signify hope and prosperity.