At the end of the last Ice Age, around 10,000 years ago, the first bluebells emerged in Britain. Since then, these flowers have been an enduring presence in our landscape, and they continue to thrive in our ancient woodlands. We share a long history with bluebells in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland — they hold deep cultural significance and are the focus of many heritage folktales.
Although many of these meanings and folk stories contain tales about handling bluebells, there are many conservation regulations in place to protect these flowers because they are under threat — please don’t pick or step on them.
Bluebell Flower Meaning
Humility
Bluebells, like many other groundcover flowers, represent humility. They grow beneath most other woodland plants and flowers, with drooping stems and flowers that hang like bowed heads. In the Victorian Language of Flowers, bluebells were a popular choice to communicate humbleness towards the recipient.
Gratitude
As well as humility, their bowed flower heads are also seen as expressing gratitude. This sentiment is echoed in folklore; it is said that if you spot the first bluebell in early spring and make a selfless wish, there is a chance that it will be granted by the fairies (as a reward for your generous and appreciative spirit!).
Honesty and Truth
The bluebell is regarded as a symbol of honesty. In English folklore, it is said that wearing bluebells (for example, tucked into a pocket or as a garland) will compel a person to only speak the truth.
Death
It was once customary in England for church bells to ring shortly after a person was pronounced dead — twice for a woman, and three times for a man. This ritual ringing, known as a death knell, was performed to make the local community aware of the unfortunate news. Bluebells are similar in shape to church bells, and as a result are sometimes associated with death and mourning. This negative connotation is strengthened by the fact that they often grow in old graveyards, where there are large trees to provide the dappled shade bluebells thrive in and the earth is undisturbed.
Constancy
Year after year, bluebells faithfully return to our woodlands each spring, leading them to be regarded as a symbol of loyalty and constancy. Their unique blue colour further reinforces this meaning; they have been referred to as “true-blue” flowers, a term used to describe unwavering commitment.
Bluebells and Fairy Folklore
The vivid colours of bluebells stand out sharply after the winter, like something from another realm. Alongside other spring flowers (such as primroses), bluebells have long sparked fairy stories across England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.
Bluebells are fairy dwellings
Areas carpeted in bluebells are believed to be a favourite dwelling place of fairies, especially near old oak trees. Folklore from Somerset warns against picking bluebells for this reason; fairies might lead you astray, with adults eventually finding their way back (if they’re found by another person), while children risk disappearing forever.
Similarly, in Devonshire, people believed bluebells brought bad luck when brought indoors, perhaps due to the risk of upsetting the fairies by taking from their home.
Fairy Spells
Faeries are said to hang their spells out to dry on bluebells in the spring air. Disturbing them would release this magic and cause you to be faerie-led (or lost!) in the woods. The English nursery rhyme “In and Out the Dusty Bluebells” is sometimes regarded as referencing this magic that leads people astray. This may be to discourage children from playing amongst bluebells, as the bulbs are poisonous.
Bluebells and fairy horses
Fairies are known to have their own cattle and horses. It’s said that they use the heads of bluebell flowers to adorn their horses, creating decorative delicate blue collars.
Ringing Bluebells
According to legend, fairies ring bluebells to call each other to meetings. Hearing the tinkling of bells while in a bluebell wood is considered a bad omen, as the sound is not intended for human ears.
Bluebell Folk Names
The folk names given to bluebells can tell us a lot about cultural interpretations of this flower. They give us a glimpse into how people perceived them not only through senses like sight and hearing but also through the lens of their spiritual beliefs.
| Bluebell folk names | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Fairy flower | Fairies are known to have a strong affinity with bluebells. The folk name “fairy flower” can be seen as a warning — a reminder to tread lightly around the bluebells, because they are covered in wild magic. |
| Granfer Griggles | “Granfer” is a shortened version of the word grandfather, while “Grig” is an obsolete English term for cricket (the insect). When bluebell stalks rub together in the wind, they make a squeaking sound similar to the high-pitched chirping noises of crickets. |
| Witches’ thimbles | Bluebells resemble thimbles, a small cap used to protect the end of fingers/thumbs while sewing. When witch trials were prevalent, growing bluebells could be used as evidence that someone was practicing magic. |
| Lady’s Nightcap | The shape of the bluebell’s petals resemble a woman’s nightcap. |
| The aul’ man’s bell | The “Aul’ man” is a euphemism for the devil. This folk name is likely a deterrent for picking or trampling on bluebells. |
This post was all about bluebell flower meanings, folk names, and fairy folklore!
