Latin botanic name – Dianthus sp.

Carnation has a very long history, as it is one of the oldest cultivated plants both in Slovenia and worldwide. Its botanical name comes from Greek dios anthus and means divine flower. The genus comprises approximately 340 different species, some of which are winter-hardy in Slovenia, while others are not. It originates mainly from Europe and Asia, with a few species in northern and southern Africa and one species in Arctic North America.

Carnation has very rich symbolism. In the Christian faith, it represents the tear that Mary shed when she mourned her son who fell under the cross. Red flowers represent love, affection, admiration, and honor. Due to its deep meaning, brides like to pin it on their wedding dresses. 

Over the centuries, the Gorenjska carnation has become a symbol of Slovenian identity and is now the most popular flower among Slovenians. In Slovenian ornamentation, it is the most common and important decoration alongside the heart.

Carnation is an embroidered pattern on tablecloths, painted on wooden shutters of houses in the Gorenjska region, on beehive panels, carved into wooden balconies, and used as a pattern on vases, bowls, and glasses. It was an indispensable motif on old wooden chests, cupboards, and chairs.

Carnation is an indispensable flower in Slovenian national costumes. The traditional costumes of the Gorenjska region and Slovenia also feature carnations. Women pin them to their chests and carry a bouquet of red carnations in a basket, while men also pin carnations to their chests and tuck them behind their hats

In the past, carnations were very often used in Slovenia to decorate farmhouses. They were sometimes planted in combination with rosemary, which is still considered a Slovenian bouquet today. Carnation can be considered the national flower of Slovenia.

Latin botanic name –Tulipa

The name comes from the Persian word dulband, which means turban.

Tulip is a genus of flowering plants in the family Liliaceae, which includes more than 75 natural species and more than 3,000 cultivated varieties. It originates from Central Asia (Kazakhstan). They were cultivated in Persia by the 10th century, becoming a symbol of the Ottoman Empire by the 15th century. They achieved fame in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, where they became a symbol of national identity and floral art.

In the 17th century, armed guards protected tulip fields from thieves. At that time, their price was so high, that a single bulb cost as much as a house in the Amsterdam area.

Tulips are known for their simple yet perfect flower shape, vibrant colors (ranging from white, yellow, pink, red, orange to purple and even black), upright growth and elegant appearance, and short but intense flowering period (usually from March to May).

The transition of a tulip from bulb to flower serves as a metaphor for personal growth and transformation.

In Slovenia, tulips were a common motif on wooden chests decorated with hand-painted designs, in which parents kept their daughter’s dowry. Therefore it  signifies happiness and prosperity in the future.

They were often used in carpentry as decorative cutouts on barns or decorative elements on balcony railings.

Latin botanic name: Campanula

The bellflower belongs to the genus Campanula (family Campanulaceae), which comprises nearly 300 species of perennials, biennials, and annuals.

A distinctive Slovenian specialty is Zois’s bellflower.

Zois’s bellflower is endemic and thrives only in the area from Obir to Trnovski gozd and from the Carnic Alps to Uršlja gora. It is not known anywhere else. It is one of the older endemic species. Endemic means that the plant is unique and grows in a specific location or environment and cannot be found anywhere else. There are 19 species of endemic plants growing in the Triglav National Park.

It grows in rocky crevices in high mountains, on scree slopes and gravelly areas, and is often found at lower altitudes as well. Because it is able to survive very harsh weather conditions (high altitude, low temperatures, strong winds, short summers, snow, sparse rocky soil), it is considered a symbol of resilience, resistance, and perseverance.

Bellflowers have bell-shaped flowers with flared ends resembling bells. However, Zois’ bellflower is the only member of the bellflower family that has a narrowed end followed by a flared bell, closed by corolla lobes that are hairy around the edges. Because of this, some botanists once wanted to classify it as a separate genus. The flowers of Zois’s bellflower are so narrow at the entrance that insects cannot reach the nectar, so they make a hole in the flower and pollinate it.

The plant was named after Baron Karl Zois, a Slovenian botanist.

Zois’s bellflower is classified as a protected plant. It is endemic and has a classic habitat in Slovenia. Year of first protection of the plant: 1922.

Ast – ART is a brand, renowned for its four decades long tradition of creating hand painted glassware, decorated with motifs of authentic Slovenian decorative art.

It is intended to preserve Slovenian cultural heritage by creating practical products that can find their place and useful application in every home.