The sunflower is remarkable not only for its utility as a crop, but for its beauty as well. Of its many varieties, it has a long history rich with meaning.

A Brief History of the Sunflower
Some of the earliest records of the cultivation of sunflowers date as far back as 2600 BC in the area of present day Mexico. The sunflower was treated as a symbol of the Sun god by the Aztecs and Incas. In fact, several artifacts made of gold taking the shaping of this flowers have been found.

It was after the Europeans came to South America that sunflowers began to spread throughout Europe. This was sometime around the 16th century. Sunflowers were cultivated as a food source, for their oil, and their beauty.

In the realm of Greek mythology, the existence of sunflowers are explained by the story of the water nymph, Clytie and the sun god, Apollo.  According to the myth, Clytie fell in love with Apollo, who did not return her affections. Heartbroken, Clytie gazed at the sun all day, everyday, gradually wasting away. Finally, her body was transformed into a flower. Although this is a common myth related to the creation of sunflowers, some believe Clytie was actually transformed into a marigold instead.

Meaning

Sunflowers thrive in the direction of the sun. As such, they are often meant to symbolize homage and devotion - a perfect flower to give to a spouse to celebrate the third wedding anniversary.

Sunflowers can also mean adoration, as defined by the story of Clytie and Apollo.

One feature of sunflowers is that they can grow to great heights. Depending upon the variety, some can even grow several metres tall. This image of their great height and splendour is one reason for their association with pride and haughtiness.

Pretty much everyone can rattle off a dozen romantic comedies where a dashing gent extends his arm and offers a bouquet to the lady he’s a-wooing. But, once you get beyond the traditional “flowers as a gift” standard, it’s rare that they lend much weight to the film. However, the following nine movies use flowers in a way that is either unique, bizarre, or downright bad-ass.

9. American Beauty - Rose Petals Emerge From Mena Suvari’s Chest

Whether you love or hate the film, the sexualized dance Mena Suvari performs for Lester that culminates in her slowly unbuttoning her top to reveal thousands of rose petals presents a striking image. Plus, when the imagery becomes ingrained enough that Family Guy uses it for a cheap laugh it has pretty much established itself as a part of pop culture.

8. The Ruins - The Flowers Mimic, Maim, and Kill

At first glance it would seem like your standard horror fare: a group of tourists travels out to a remote destination, things go horribly wrong, and they are slowly and methodically picked off. However, since the typical local psychopath is replaced by vines whose flowers can mimic voices in a creepy Predator-like fashion, The Ruins somehow manages to seem slightly more preposterous than a Sci-Fi Channel original movie.

7. Batman (1989) - The Joker Shows off his Acid Corsage

Sure, Heath Ledger’s Joker is darker, edgier, and more realistic, but Jack’s had the classic “fake corsage” gag to fall back on. Squirting someone in the face with water isn’t really that funny to begin with, but once you decide to use acid you’ve officially graduated to major d-bag status.

6. Little Shop of Horrors - A Flower Shop is Overrun by a Carnivorous Plant

Though it’s not really a flower, the fact that it’s a plant that feeds on blood and resides in a flower shop is more than enough to justify Audrey II butting his way onto the list.

5) Anacondas: The Search for the Blood Orchid - Snakes Eat Magic Flowers and Become Huge

Magic flower = giant snakes. It’s that simple. Jennifer Lopez must have rubbed some of that blood orchid on her ass. (Get it? Her ass is huge. Huge and fat.)

4. The Fountain - Hugh Jackman Becomes One with the Earth…Literally

As an ultimate eff you to Hugh Jackman in his epic quest for the fountain of youth, he is granted immortality. Unfortunately for him, it comes in the form of being transformed into some sort of flowery ground cover. The next time you’re hiking and you wander off to take a leak, remember, you could be peeing on Wolverine!

3. 40 Days and 40 Nights - Flower Petals Serve as Vibrator Substitute

You know the scene. Sworn to 40 days of celibacy, a frustrated Josh Hartnett resorts to props and uses the petals of a flower to bring his newfound love to a ridiculous (albeit somewhat impressive) climax.

2. Adaptation - The Ghost Orchid is Used as a Drug

Aside from Flowers for Algernon, Charlie Kaufman points out that there hasn’t really been an entire movie about flowers. By the film’s action-inspired third act, Meryl Streep is snorting a ground up orchid to get high, Nicolas Cage is being chased through a swamp, and a toothless Chris Cooper gets eaten by an alligator. Ghost Orchid is a hell of a drug.

1) Terminator 2 - T-800 Pulls a Shotgun from a Box of Roses

There is very little that could be cooler than Arnold as the Terminator just casually walking down a hallway with a lame old box of roses, only to remove a shotgun from the box, stoically say “Get down,” and then blast a shell right into some robot torso. Yes, Hard Boiled had a similar scene first, but no human can come close to the engineered awesomeness of something from Cyberdyne Systems.

Catholic funerals often vary in practices and customs. However, all ensure that the deceased enters heaven. Three fundamental parts exist: the Vigil, the Funeral Liturgy and the Rite of Committal.

The Vigil
This is more commonly known as the wake. It can be held as early as the morning after the deceased has passed away, or in the days following.

After the passing of the deceased, friends and family gather to reflect and express their condolences to the bereaved. It may include prayers, readings from the Scriptures, and a viewing (i.e. an open casket). Often, the Vigil is held at the home of the deceased or where the funeral Mass is to take place.

The Funeral Liturgy
This is the actual funeral service. The high points are the liturgy and the funeral Mass.

In moderation, sympathy flowers, especially freshly cut ones, are acceptable at a funeral Mass. Often, they are suitable for the Vigil as well.

The celebration of Mass is a key part of the funeral liturgy. It is important to remember that usually only Christian symbols are allowed on or near the casket, so. Modest, tributes,  standing sprays and wreaths are suitable as sympathy flowers. Common types of flowers used for such arrangements are roses, carnations and lilies.

The funeral Mass is then followed by the Final Commendation.

The Final Commendation is the prayer in which the people gathered commend the deceased into God’s hands. This will happen around the end of the funeral liturgy. Alternatively, it can be performed during
burial at the Rite of Committal.

The Rite of Committal
This last service is conducted at the final resting place of the deceased.

After the burial of the deceased, a reception may be held where refreshments are served. However, this varies widely and depends upon the family of the deceased.

After the Funeral
Sometimes sympathy flowers may also be sent after the funeral to the home of the bereaved. However, if in doubt, arrange to have them sent for the funeral Mass or Vigil.