A new neighbor below moved in this
month first thing she did before even unpacking was to go and buy 3
large potted plants. One of which is a very large pot of this beauty
below. So I get to enjoy it's beauty and fragrance and my it is
prolific, 5-6 bloom each morning.

Meaning Of Hibiscus Flowers

The
hibiscus is a group of around 250 beautiful flowers and can be found
almost all across the globe. Therefore the meaning of the hibiscus has
been quite debated and although there is an accepted meaning in Europe
during the Victorian era it is not the same as elsewhere in the world.
For a wide meaning of hibiscus flower one need to travel from Europe to
Japan and then to Hawaii, it is a long journey so let us get to it.

Meaning of hibiscus flower – Nice summer

The
hibiscus flower can universally mean that it is a nice summer. It might
seem as an odd meaning for a flower but the answer is quite simple and
rather dull, it takes a nice summer for the hibiscus to bloom.
So
when a hibiscus blooms, it simply means that it has been a nice summer.
Today one can therefore use the hibiscus to wish someone a nice summer,
if there are any to buy.

Hibiscus flower meaning – Delicate beauty

In
Europe during the Victorian era the hibiscus only had one meaning and
that is also the meaning that is being used today. The meaning of
hibiscus flower is “delicate beauty” and the explanation for that is as
simple as the universal meaning, the hibiscus is a delicate beauty.
Coming in a wide variety of colors the hibiscus could be matched with
the givers, or receivers, personality and still just mean “delicate
beauty”. The hibiscus is simply a very flexible flower among all the
other specialized flower meanings.

Meaning of hibiscus flower – Old royalty

  In the state of Hawaii the hibiscus is the state flower simply
because it is one of the most common flowers to find on the islands and
is generally given to visiting state officials, and sometimes even
tourists. In Hawaiian history and tradition the hibiscus is a symbol for
the old royalty and is a flower that brings great power and respect, in
other words very suiting for both the state and visiting state
officials.

Hibiscus flower meaning – Gentle

In
the Japanese language of flowers, hanakotoba, the hibiscus means
“gentle” and it is said that it both is connected to the universal
meaning and have inspired the Hawaiian meaning.

  With the Japanese meaning of hibiscus flower it can be given to more
or less anyone simply as a nice present, there are no strong emotions or
questions of relationships baked into it, it simply means “gentle”.

Species

In temperate zones, probably the most commonly grown ornamental species is Hibiscus syriacus , the common garden Hibiscus, also known in some areas as the "Rose of
Althea" or "Rose of Sharon" (but not to be confused with the unrelated Hypericum calycinum , also called "Rose of Sharon"). In tropical and subtropical areas, the Chinese hibiscus (H. rosa-sinensis ), with its many showy hybrids , is the most popular hibiscus.
About 200-220 species are known
  The red hibiscus flower is traditionally worn by Tahitian women. A single flower is tucked behind the ear. It is used to indicate the wearer's availability for marriage.
The Hibiscus is used as an offering to goddess Kali and Lord Ganesha in Hindu worship.
In
the Philippines, the gumamela (local name for hibiscus) is used by
children as part of a bubble-making pastime. The flowers and leaves are
crushed until the sticky juices come out. Hollow papaya stalks are then dipped into this and used as straws for blowing bubbles.
Dried hibiscus is edible, and is often a delicacy in Mexico. It can also be candied and used as a garnish
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is considered to have a number of medical uses in Chinese herbology .^[9]
The bark of the hibiscus contains strong bast fibres . They can be obtained by letting the stripped bark sit in the sea in order to let the organic material rot away. In Polynesia these fibers (fau, pūrau) are used for making grass skirts . They have also been known to be used to make wigs.

National symbol

Hibiscus syriacus is the national flower of South Korea .
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the national flower of Malaysia
Many species are grown for their showy flowers or used as landscape shrubs . Many species are used to attract butterflies and bees.^[6] Hibiscus is also a primary ingredient in many herbal teas .

Uses

Traditionally it has been used for its medicinal properties and for dying clothes and coloring food. One species of Hibiscus , known as Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus ), is extensively used in paper making.
Another, roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa ) is used as a vegetable and to make herbal teas and jams , especially in the Caribbean .
In Jamaica and many other islands in the Caribbean, the drink is known as sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa ; not to be confused with Rumex acetosa , a species sharing the common name sorrel) and is considered a quite
popular at Christmas time. It is served cold and mixed with other herbs,
roots, and spices and sweetened with cane sugar. Often it is served
mixed with Jamaican rum or wine but is also refreshing without any alcohol. Roselle is
typically boiled in an enamel-coated large stock pot as most West
Indians believe the metal from aluminum, steel or copper pots will
destroy the natural minerals and vitamins. A large quantityof the flower
is used to ensure a thick dark red tea is made. The tea is popular as a
natural diuretic and contains vitamin C and minerals and is used traditionally as a mild medicine.
Other Uses:

• Chinese use the hibiscus plant to cure dandruff and as hair growth stimulator.


• According to some researches it has been found that hibiscus has antibacterial properties.


• It helps in reducing the blood pressure.


• Hibiscus plant relaxes the uterus.


• Hibiscus is very mild laxative and also contains malic acid and Vitamin C.


• It is also used for respiratory problems, in colds, indigestion and to cure circulation disorders.


• In Mexico, hibiscus is known for its color, mild flavor and tanginess. It tastes like berry when sugar is added to it. People having kidney problems take it without sugar for its diuretic properties.

All over the world, the tea drink is consumed hot or cold.
It is known as Bissap in West Africa, Karkadé in Egypt and Sudan,flor de Jamaica in Mexico,Gongura in India and Brazil.
Some refer to it as roselle, a common name for the hibiscus flower.
sources...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibiscus
https://www.foodadditivesworld.com/hibiscus.html

Anacaona: Golden Flower, Haiti, 1490

(The Royal Diaries)