Not all flowers thrive in spring and summer. In fact, despite being associated with warmer weather, some varieties of Mediterranean flowers actually bloom during the frigid winter months. 

Take the famous Glory-of-the-Snow flower, whose blossoms inspired our Persephone collection. Though native to western Turkey, these hardy, colorful flowers are now a popular addition to gardens all over the world. They are highly adaptable flowers, able to survive in rugged terrain and harsh climates that are often inhospitable to other plant life. These flowers are so hardy that they often bloom while there is still snow on the ground, hence their common name. It is no wonder, then, that these precocious little plants have come to symbolize the power and endurance of feminine beauty. 

Another flower that thrives in winter is the çigdem, known in English as the crocus flower. Originally cultivated on the iconic mountainsides along the coastline of the island of Crete, these flowers can now be found in virtually every corner of the world. Turkey alone boasts 59 unique species of crocus, 30 of which can be found nowhere else on Earth. 

Starting in February, the colorful buds of the crocus flower begin pushing through the snow bed in anticipation of the coming spring. Though they may seem delicate, çigdem are some of the hardiest plants in the Mediterranean, known to withstand wind, rain, and even snow. This is why crocus blossoms have come to represent strength in the face of overwhelming adversity. 

Many Oya artisans have found inspiration in these two small-but-mighty flowers, for it is when the world is at its coldest and darkest that the Glory-of-the-Snow and çigdem blossoms choose to bless the world with their wonderous panoply of color. In times like these, we should all learn from their example. After all, sometimes all you need is a simple reminder of the joys that lie just ahead.