Hyacinths and symbolism

[TWL as a recovery from a mental breakdown = restoration *and* dramatic process - the recognition of desoltaion, attempt to do something about it...]

Hyacinths are the equivalent of Whitman's lilacs (recalling Lincoln): so in other mythologies, what do hyacinths represent?

In Greek mythology, the hyacinth was offered to Apollo (god the light and the sun, but also music, poetry and fine arts, and, key for TWL, prophecy and the cure - sanity and reason). Apollo is also associated with the laurel, (Daphne's transformation).
The hyacinth is also connected with sports and games, for some reason... It's odd, actually.
Different colours of hyacinths apparently represent different things: blue = constancy, purple = contrition, yellow = jealousy...

From mythencyclopedia.com: "The Greek myth of Hyacinthus and Apollo tells of the origin of the hyacinth, a member of the lily family. Hyacinthus, a beautiful young man of Sparta*, was loved by the sun god Apollo. One day the two were amusing themselves throwing a discus when the discus struck Hyacinthus and killed him. Some accounts say that Zephyrus, the god of the west wind, directed the discus out of jealousy because he also loved Hyacinthus. While Apollo was deep in grief, mourning the loss of his companion, a splendid new flower rose out of the bloodstained earth where the young man had died. Apollo named it the hyacinth and ordered that a three-day festival, the Hyacinthia, be held in Sparta every year to honor his friend."

So, jealousy, sports and games, contrition - it's all there. I'm not sure if Hyacinthus was cured, or anyone prophecised about it happening, though.

According to Wikipedia (it has its uses...), the Hyacinthia is spread over two days, so:
'The first day was given over to mourning for the death of the hero: sacrifices were offered to the dead, banquests were stark and without pomp or decoration, the sacrificial breads were very plain.
The second day was one of celebration for his rebirth. The young people played the cithara and the aulos, and sang of the glory of Apollo. Others participated in horse races. Numerous choirs competed in town, singing country songs and dancing. Amycla was also the location of parades of carts decorated by the girls and women of Sparta. Numerous sacrifices were offered, exclusively goats, with the occasion of the κοπίς, kopis, banquets where the citizens invited their friends and relatives."

This is a pretty cool line of study - it covers the whole idea of death and resurrection. Also, goats.