The silver fern has been accepted as a symbol of New Zealand’s national identity since the 1880s. To Māori, the elegant shape of the fronds stood for strength, stubborn resistance, and enduring power. To Pākehā (New Zealanders of non-Māori descent), the fern symbolised their sense of attachment to their homeland.
What is silver silver fern?
silver fern. noun. : any of various ferns (as of the genera Gleichenia, Notholaena, and Pityrogramma) having the lower surface of the fronds silvery white.
What do ferns symbolize?
In some communities, such as Victorian Era England, ferns symbolized shelter, magic, confidence, and fascination. This means that ferns could be used to pass a secret message to a secret admirer, for example. If you were fascinated by someone’s beauty, a subtle way of saying this is by giving them a gift of ferns – or one wrapped in fern leaves.
What does the fern symbolize in Maori culture?
To Māori, the elegant shape of the fronds stood for strength, stubborn resistance, and enduring power. To Pākehā (New Zealanders of non-Māori descent), the fern symbolised their sense of attachment to their homeland.
What company has a silver fern logo?
The silver fern has long been used on dairy products, including the logo of New Zealand Natural, and was trademarked as early as 1885. It is a logo for many other organisations, such as (heavily stylised) the rail operator KiwiRail.
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How did the Maori use the silver fern?
By simply snapping, over-turning and exposing the silvery white underside of the silver fern leaf and pointing it like an arrow in the bush, it was a ready made trail pointer in an otherwise dark bush environment.
What are Silver Ferns used for?
Silver Fern Uses The plant is normally cooked, but the pith can also be consumed raw. Silver ferns are also important to the forests where they grow. Many birds use the ferns as habitats. Invertebrates are also attracted to the tree, and they provide a food source for the birds as well.
What is the Maori name for silver fern?
It's also known as ponga (the Māori name) and Cyathea dealbata or Alsophila tricolor (alternative scientific names).
Why do the All Blacks have a fern?
The fern is engraved on the tombstones of those who New Zealanders fell during both World Wars. Our All Blacks Teams also wore it from 1893 as part of their official uniform. New Zealand's Olympic history began back in 1908 at the London Games, when the New Zealand athletes were part of an Australasia team.
Is the silver fern poisonous?
dealbata. Traditional uses: The woody fibre of the trunk of silver fern is poisonous, and was used to tip spears (Riley, 1994, Maori Healing and Herbal, Viking Sevenseas).
Who invented the silver fern?
That silver fern that you see on everything from jerseys and rugby balls to teddy bears and even shampoo was designed more than 30 years ago by Dave Clark himself. He talks about how he got this once-in-a-lifetime job, his design process, and what it takes to create a logo that stands the test of time so well.
How can you tell a silver fern?
0:326:03How to identify the NZ Silver Fern (Cyathea dealbata) Ponga - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe easiest way to identify the silver fern is by looking under the leaves. If you can find oneMoreThe easiest way to identify the silver fern is by looking under the leaves. If you can find one that's short. Enough it's got that silvery.
What is the symbol of New Zealand?
The bird KiwiThe bird Kiwi is the national symbol and icon of New Zealand. The name of the bird – Kiwi comes from the language of Maori (indigenous NZ people).
What's the national flower of New Zealand?
The kōwhai is one of the best known native trees in New Zealand and it's our unofficial national flower.
What does the All Blacks logo mean?
The All Blacks' logo features a leaf from a silver fern, a tree endemic to New Zealand. To say the least, silver ferns are emblematic of the country, appearing in various forms on the official coat of arms and on one-dollar coins, along with the iconic kiwi bird.
Is the silver fern trademarked?
The New Zealand Rugby silver fern was designed by Dave Clark in 1986 and trademarked in 1991 along with the words 'All Blacks'.
How do Silver Ferns grow?
Where to buyHow To Sow: Best sown into a tray of quality seed raising mix. Place spore thinly on surface of soil onlu. Do not cover with soil.Seedling Care: Cover with plastic to conserve moisture. Remove plastic often to alloe ventilation. Keep moist throughout the germination period.
How can you tell a silver fern?
0:326:03How to identify the NZ Silver Fern (Cyathea dealbata) Ponga - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe easiest way to identify the silver fern is by looking under the leaves. If you can find oneMoreThe easiest way to identify the silver fern is by looking under the leaves. If you can find one that's short. Enough it's got that silvery.
What type of an organism is a silver fern?
Alsophila dealbata, synonym Cyathea dealbata, commonly known as the silver fern or silver tree-fern, or as ponga /ˈpɒŋə/ or punga /ˈpʌŋə/ (from Māori kaponga or ponga), is a species of medium-sized tree fern, endemic to New Zealand.
What are the national symbols of New Zealand?
National animal and flower The flightless native bird, the kiwi, represents New Zealand, but it has no official status as a symbol. New Zealand does not have an official national flower, but the silver fern (Cyathea dealbata), which appears on army insignia and sporting team uniforms, is an unofficial national emblem.
How does a silver fern reproduce?
Ferns do not flower but reproduce sexually from spores. There are two distinct stages of the fern life cycle. Mature plants produce spores on the underside of the leaves. When these germinate they grow into small heart-shaped plants known as prothalli.
What is the name of the silver fern?
Cya thea dealbata (G.Forst.) Sw. Polypodium dealbatum G.Forst. Alsophila dealbata, synonym Cyathea dealbata, commonly known as the silver fern or silver tree-fern, or as ponga / ˈpɒŋə / or punga / ˈpʌŋə / (from Māori kaponga or ponga ), is a species of medium-sized tree fern, endemic to New Zealand.
What is the silver fern used for?
Since then, the silver fern has been used by the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during both world war s, and all Commonwealth war graves of fallen New Zealand soldiers have the silver fern engraved on their tombstones.
What is the silver fern on the New Zealand flag?
Silver fern fronds appear on the coat of arms of New Zealand. Some alternative flags for New Zealand, such as the silver fern flag, utilise the fern. The official proposal of the 2015–2016 New Zealand flag referendums featured the silver fern.
What is the name of the aircraft with a silver fern on the fuselage?
An Air New Zealand ATR 72-600 with a stylised koru on the tail and otherwise painted in all black livery with a silver fern on the fuselage.
How tall do ferns grow?
This fern is known to grow to heights of 10 metres (33 ft) or more (though it occasionally takes a rare creeping form). The crown is dense, and mature fronds tend to be about 4 metres (13 ft) long and have a silver-white colouration on the undersides. This distinctive silver colouration has made them useful for laying along tracks for night walking.
What is the color of ferns?
The fern is usually recognisable by the silver-white colour of the under-surface of mature fronds. It is a symbol commonly associated with the country both overseas and by New Zealanders themselves.
When was the silver fern first worn?
The silver fern has been used as a symbol by New Zealand national sports teams, in various stylised forms, since it was first worn by players in the 1888–89 New Zealand Native football team which toured Britain.
What is the silver fern?
The silver fern does have deep historical roots, and for people who are interested in New Zealand's history , it's worth the time to read about the reason why it has been chosen to be one of the country's popular symbols. The silver fern was once proudly embraced by Pakeha (New Zealanders who are of European descent) as a symbol ...
What does the fern represent?
The fern represents all of us; we should be proud to see it on our flag.
What is the fern symbol?
Maori have always honoured the fern, giving it a pride of place. Early Pakeha did this, also. Overseas, the fern has become the unmistakable symbol of New Zealand, earning instant recognition. Thanks to the early efforts of Pakeha, it's become our national symbol.
What was the fern badge used for?
And in Europe, after 1914, the fern was used to adorn kiwi headstones on the Western Front.
When did the fern become a national symbol?
The fern’s appearance as a national symbol goes back to the 1880s, when Pakeha decided that they wanted to be New Zealanders, after all. Census figures in 1886 showed that native-born Pakeha now exceeded 'Europeans' living here but born overseas.
Is the silver fern on the flag?
The major complaint against the use of the fern has been its popular use as a brand, or a logo. Some have said it belongs on sporting jerseys and vests, but not on the flag. For those of us who care about our country’s history, this level of criticism has been a little disheartening, to say the least. The silver fern does have deep historical roots.
Fern Symbolism in Myths and Folklore
With its long history and mystical beginnings, it is not surprising that there are many stories about the Fern in many written works and folklore share by different cultures over the years.
About the Fern
The Fern is quite an old plant, dating as far back as 400 million years based on fossils that have been uncovered so far.
How to Interpret Spiritual Symbolism
Interpreting symbolism and spiritual meanings is subjective and deeply personal. The symbolic meanings listed in this article are examples of potential interpretations, but might not be true for your situation.
Conclusion
As expected of a plant that existed together with the dinosaurs – and outlived them, the Fern has had a long and mysterious journey throughout the ages.
