In springtime, tulips are one of nature's loveliest sights, returning each year in a variety of bright colours.
Tulips are a simple but significant flower in European culture, with a rich history that dates back centuries. Their history has brought them from Central Asia to the Ottoman Empire and then to Western Europe, becoming a symbol of all three along the way.
What is the history of tulips?
Tulips originated in Central Asia, and were first cultivated in Iran (Persia) as early as the 10th century.
Many historical sources have evidence of how tulips came to Europe over the centuries. By the 16th century, tulips were being cultivated in the Ottoman Empire. They were among the most prized flowers for the Ottoman Empire, and became a symbol of their power.
Ottoman sultans and wealthy elites were known for their love of tulips. They held tulip festivals, which were attended by people from all over the world. This fascination with tulips inspired a unique decorative style which features motifs of tulips on carpets, clothing, paintings, buildings, and pottery.
Nobody knows for sure who brought tulips from the Ottoman Empire to Western Europe, but it is credited to an ambassador of the Habsburg Empire in Constantinople (Istanbul) who brought some tulip bulbs to Vienna.
Botanist Carolus Clusius increased the popularity of tulips in the late 16th century. He planted tulip bulbs at the Vienna Imperial Botanical Gardens in 1573, and made the first botanical research into tulips in 1592.
He was then appointed to be the director of Leiden University's botanic garden, planting tulips there in late 1593.
Tulips had reached the Netherlands, and were about to bloom in popularity!
How tulips became a Dutch symbol
The Dutch became so enamoured with tulips in the 17th century that their passion for the flower sparked a phenomenon known as 'Tulip Mania.'
During this time, tulip bulbs became incredibly valuable and were traded like stocks on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. At the height of 'Tulip Mania', some rare tulip bulbs were worth more than a house!
Tulips became a popular subject in art, especially during the 17th century when artists painted still-life portraits of the flowers. These paintings not only captured the beauty of the flower but also served as a status symbol for the wealthy.
In addition to painting, tulips also played a significant role in European craft. Dutch Delftware, a type of blue and white pottery, often features tulip designs, while the motif appears on many other items.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, tulip growing, along with other flowers, became a major industry in the Netherlands.
The country became the centre of global tulip trade, with bulbs exported all around the world. New techniques and varieties were cultivated.
The association of tulips with the Netherlands was cemented in the 1950s with the song 'Tulips from Amsterdam'. Originally sung in German, soon Dutch and English versions followed. It became a hit for the English singer Max Bygraves in 1958, as well as many other singers around the world since.
Today, the Netherlands is the largest producer of tulips in the world, and the flower is a major part of the country's economy. Tulips have become one of the most popular symbols of the Netherlands, reflected in many paintings, artworks and souvenirs.
