In the advent of pride month, with most corporations throwing up rainbow logos and designing simplistic and wafer thin pride wear, do you know what LGBTQIA+ symbolism actually entails? From the hidden floral meanings in the East and West, to why the original Gilbert Baker pride flag was switched out for six-striped design, and frogs, there’s a rich part of LGBT history waiting to be discovered. 

The Gilbert Baker Pride Flag

Hot pink for Sex, Red for Life, Orange for Healing, Yellow for Sunlight, Green for Nature, Turquoise for Magic or Art, Indigo for Serenity, and finally, Violet for Spirit - The Gilbert Baker pride flag is said to be the first pride flag widely accepted by the community.

In later iterations, the hot pink stripe was removed due to manufacturing reasons, and the turquoise was discarded so the flag could be flown in halves.

The Pink Triangle

Gay men were another minority targeted by the Nazis during their regime. Once, forced to wear Pink Triangles in concentration camps to show their “degeneracy”, many gay men today, wear this reclaimed symbol as part of showing their pride.

Lilacs, Violets, and Purple Flowers

Sappho was a 6th century Greek poet, who is renowned for her poetry describing the wlw experience.

In her work, she often depicts her female lovers with garlands of purple flowers in idyllic scenery.

Most prominently: Lilacs and Violets.

The term “lesbian” is derived from the island Lesbos, where she lived. And similarly- Sapphic (another term to describe wlw) is derived from her name. 

The Green Carnation

Oscar Wilde famously wrote “The Picture of Dorian Gray” which is beloved by the queer community, and more, he was a playwright.

At the first showing of “Lady Windermere's Fan” he encouraged his friends to wear a green carnation upon their lapel. 

He, himself, was often seen wearing a green carnation, thought to be a nod to his homosexuality.

Lavender 

Lavender Menace, Lavender Marriages, and lavender worn in the buttonhole - this flower features prominently in the western queer community.

Lavender Menace was once a derogatory term to describe lesbians, but now reclaimed by the community. 

Lavender Marriages were marriages between gay men and gay women, who allowed the other to meet with their true lovers under the guise of this “union”. 

Lavender worn in buttonholes have been a historic symbol of allyship with the queer community.

Pansies 

The ‘Pansy Craze’ was a term coined by historian George Chauncey in the 1900s. It is reminiscent of the “Satanic Panic”, except gay men were once more the target of public hysteria due to the increase in drag shows and lively gay bars.

“Pansy” is often used to describe someone deemed a coward, and in this case it referred to flamboyant gay men.

Roses

I’m sure you’ve all heard of the tie-dye roses, but what about ordinary roses? In Japan, in the Barazoku (literally meaning rose tribe), the longest running gay magazine, gay men are depicted with and as roses.

In the west, roses have become a symbol for the transgender community due to its association with mourning. ‘Give our roses while we are still here’, is an associated saying, one that deeply resonates with me.

‘Ace Rings’ and ‘Aro Rings’

An ‘ace ring’ is a black ring is worn on the right middle finger to subtly flag your asexual status to others in the community. However, be warned, wearing a black ring on the right hand on any other finger tells a different message, this time, targeted at the swingers.

An ‘aro ring’ is a white ring worn on the left middle finger for the same purposes as the ace ring but for aromantic individuals. Aromanticism is often confused with asexuality, but refers to an experience of little to none romantic attraction, as opposed to sexual attraction. 

That being said, it may just be an individual’s preference in fashion.

The latter are widely accepted in the LGBTQ+ community, but don’t tend to turn up in articles.

Mushrooms and Fungi

Although not particularly discussed, with younger generations - with our generation, I think mushrooms have earned their place in the LGBT community. I especially see gender non-conforming communities, especially those that find themselves outside or between the binary accumulate mushroom related paraphernalia. I myself, am guilty of that. Whether it’s the mysticism surrounding mushrooms, their fantastical nature, and refusal to be categorised in any other box than their own, mushrooms are undoubtedly popular amongst the LGBT community today. 

Cake and Garlic Bread 

It is often joked that asexuals enjoy cake and garlic bread above all else. Another joke is that they all plan to invade Denmark… or is it? (It is). Dragons may also be included in this category, and as an enjoyer of dragons myself (I am ace-spec), I’m rather biased in its inclusion. 

Frogs

Probably because of the infamous televangelist’s unforgettable phrase “they’re putting chemicals in the water to turn the friggin’ frogs gay” and the fact that frogs are adorable and cute little amphibians, frogs have become widely accepted in the queer community. 

Possums, raccoons, rats, corvids, and other woodland creatures are also beloved by many, especially in LGBTQIA+ spheres.

Bees

Stemming from the abbreviation of ‘non-binary’ to ‘NB’ to ‘numerous bees’, bees are sometimes used in stickers and other memes for non-binary individuals. 

This concludes my compilation of LGBTQIA+ symbols. I strongly recommend researching this topic at your leisure, as this article only serves as an introduction. 

Although these are popularised symbols, they mostly represent the same communities within the community, so it’s important to remember the other identities that fall within the rainbow. For example, intersex, polyamorous, and ace/aro-spec individuals can sometimes be wrongly not included in the discussion. 

The ‘A’ in LGBTQIA+ can stand for asexual, aromantic, agender, amongst many more, but it does not stand for ally. Allies are very much valued, but do not belong in skittle squad.