The Sapphic Sanctuary
What flower is on the sapphic flag?
The flower on the sapphic flag is a violet. It nods to Sappho's poetry and to the old custom of women giving each other violets as a sign of affection.
Last updated: July 19, 2026
In Sappho's poetry, lovers are described wearing garlands of violets. Later generations of women gave each other the flower to signal romantic interest. That history is why a violet sits in the middle of the sapphic flag.
Early versions used a pair of violets. A common later version uses a single violet in the white stripe, which is easier to draw and reproduce.
More on the sapphic flag and how it differs from the lesbian flag.