Snapdragon Skull Seed Pods

If you’ve ever seen a snapdragon flower, you’ll know just how gorgeous these blooms truly are. But when the seed pods begin to die, it’s a different story entirely. Dried and brown, the snapdragon’s seed pod closely resembles a shrunken human skull.  

Native to the rocky areas of Europe, the US, and North Africa, the snapdragon is also commonly known as the dragon flower due to the flower’s perceived resemblance to the face of a dragon and because, when laterally squeezed, the ‘mouth’ opens and closes.

While its resemblance to a dragon’s face is a commonly held belief, it remains an entirely shocking visual when the seed pods die and resemble a human skull (unlike the Skeleton Flower, which reveals its peculiarities in a less shocking way).

 There are many myths that surround the snapdragon flower and it’s unusually shaped seed pods.In ancient cultures, it was believed that the snapdragon flower held supernatural powers; some believed it good luck to carry one on their person.

Snapdragon flowers were also believed to provide endless youth and beauty to any woman who consumed them.  And the tiny skull seed pods? They were thought to protect against sorcery, witchcraft and curses.  

The Snapdragon in the Language of Flowers

Another legend behind the snapdragon is that this beautiful bloom had the ability to make a person seem charming and affable. Due to this superstition, it’s not altogether unsurprising that in the language of flowers, the snapdragon is said to represent deception as well as graciousness.