Flower Fairies in Cross Stitch
Fairies only reveal themselves to those who believe in them, I am told. However, they appear in many world cultures; from Shakespeare’s Fairy Queen and the fairies of Victorian art to the Middle Eastern Jinn, The Kami (which means ‘spiritual essence’ of Japanese Shinto). There are also ‘nature devas’ in Buddhism and Hinduism. Moral fairy stories also exist in Judaism.
For believers, many Flower Fairies work and play in woods, fields and gardens. They live alongside their chosen flowers, plants or trees, caring for them as they grow.
Created by Cicely Mary Barker, the Flower Fairies are famous throughout the world. Cicely was born towards the end of the nineteenth century, and during childhood illnesses, she read Victorian fairy stories which – along with a love of art and nature - inspired her to draw pictures of Flower Fairies. Her father took one of her pictures to a stationery printer, and some greetings cards were made. She then went on to have many more of her illustrations published and enjoyed huge success.
She was careful to choose the flowers that accompanied her fairies. She matched the flowers with the personality of each fairy. Therefore, the Heather Fairy is depicted as being carefree, wind-blown and wild, just like the Heather plant itself. If she couldn’t find a flower that she needed from her own garden, she would contact Kew Gardens for help.
Her early success occurred just after the first world war. As people were trying to adjust to life without war, it seems that the innocence and child-like qualities of Cicely’s drawings were very appealing. It is clear that their popularity has never subsided.
Not surprisingly, the cross stitch community was quick to discover Cicely Mary Barker’s work, and you can see many of her Flower Fairy pictures in her trademarked cross stitch designs. They are attractive to adults as well as to children, and perhaps it is the charming, simple benevolence of each picture that can provide a contrast to the complex troubles of our everyday lives.
Do you agree?
If you wish to enter the secret world of the Flower Fairies visit www.FlowerFairies.com.
Happy Stitching!
Iona
