In a world full of fast, fleeting purchases, I often come back to something older—something slower, more rooted. The act of giving, in many folk and pagan traditions, wasn’t just a gesture. It was symbolic, seasonal, and spiritual. Every object had meaning. Every offering, intention.
When I create art prints that feel magical, protective, or emotionally charged, I draw from those roots—folk symbols, the Wheel of the Year, the language of color and plants. So in this blog post, I want to talk about symbolic gifting: talismans, seasonal rituals, color choices, and how they show up in the art we choose and give.
What Makes a Gift Symbolic?
A symbolic gift is charged with more than aesthetic or utility. It's about what the object represents. In pagan and folk cultures, this often meant:
Protection: amulets, charms, or images of animals and plants believed to ward off harm.
Fertility and growth: seeds, eggs, flowers.
Love and connection: woven tokens, lockets, or shared cloths.
Seasons and transitions: candles, greenery, or colors tied to solstices and equinoxes.
In my own work, I try to channel that energy into visual storytelling—creating art that feels like a talisman. Prints like “SINNER” or “FLOWERS OF HOPE ARE GOING TO BLOOM” might not be literal charms, but they hold symbolism—of growth, duality, resistance, tenderness.
Seasonal Offerings and the Rhythm of the Year
Many pagan gift rituals are deeply seasonal. Think of Yule—the winter solstice—when candles and evergreens are exchanged to celebrate returning light. Or Beltane, where flowers and fires symbolize fertility and creativity.
Seasonal offerings reflect what the Earth is doing. A summer gift might include dried herbs or gold tones. A winter piece, deep blues or protective red.
In my Yule/Christmas collection, I try to reflect these themes. “SILENT SAINTS”, with its dark background and inverted rain, evokes the sacred quiet of midwinter. “MIRAGE” plays with seeing and not seeing—just like winter myths about liminal time.
The Color of Ritual
Colors have always been part of symbolic exchange. In pagan tradition and folk art, each shade carries energy:
Red – vitality, life force, protection (often worn during rites)
White – purity, new beginnings, sacredness
Black – mystery, transformation, winter
Green – fertility, abundance, nature
Gold – solar energy, celebration, divine light
When selecting or gifting a piece of art, the color can say as much as the subject.
Talismans in the Form of Flowers
Floriography—the language of flowers—was a powerful symbolic system. People gave specific flowers to communicate feelings they couldn’t say aloud. That tradition lives on in folk rituals, altars, and now even in visual art.
Some of my favorite meanings:
Poppy – remembrance, sleep, dream states
Rose (pink) – affection, gratitude
Yarrow – healing, courage
Violet – loyalty, modesty, sapphic love
Marigold – grief, brightness in dark times
In pieces like “VITA & VIRGINIA”, floral motifs aren’t just decorative—they hold stories. The intertwined hands and botanical frame carry messages of queer love, resilience, and private communication.
When Gifting Becomes Ritual Again
We’re so used to gifting as obligation, especially around holidays. But I think we can return to meaningful gifting—choosing objects that speak to the recipient's inner world. Art that becomes an emotional touchstone. A blessing. A shared symbol.
That’s the heart of symbolic gifting. Whether you're celebrating Yule, a birthday, a love, or a personal milestone—give something that carries meaning.
