Aster on a Headstone: Meaning

Asters are star-shaped daisy-like flowers that brighten late summer and autumn gardens with purple, blue, pink and white. Their name means "star" — and their meanings are patience and love.

What it means

The star flower

Aster is Greek for star. In Greek legend, the goddess Astraea wept when she looked down and saw no stars on the earth, and asters sprang up where her tears fell. Asters are the traditional birth flower for September and the 20th wedding anniversary flower, and wild asters are a familiar sight in Canadian and American fields each autumn.

Design ideas

• A spray of asters beside the name.
• Star-shaped blooms paired with real stars above.
• Wild asters in a meadow scene.
• Purple colour-fill on grey granite.

Who it suits

Patient, loving people; those born in September; long-married couples; and lovers of autumn meadows and wildflowers. See flower meanings.

Stars and asters together

Because the aster's name means star, a design that pairs a spray of asters with a few small stars above is a quiet visual pun — and a lovely way to say "our shining star".

Wildflowers for nature lovers

Wild asters and goldenrod together make a classic North American autumn meadow, perfect for a nature lover's memorial. See headstone ideas for a nature lover.

Epitaphs to pair

• Patient and kind.
• Our shining star.
• Love that never fades.
• Gone to the stars.

Key Takeaways

• Asters mean patience and love.
• The name is Greek for star.
• They're the September birth flower.
• Pair them with stars for a gentle pun.

Next Step

See daisy meaning and chrysanthemum meaning.