The ancient Greeks believed the narcissus plant originated from the vain youth, Narcissus. He died after becoming so obsessed with his reflection in a pool he could not leave. The Greeks say that the gods turned his remains into the Narcissus flower. This also led to the daffodil's being a symbol of unrequited love.

The Narcissus flower is perceived in the West as a symbol of vanity, in the East as a symbol of wealth and good fortune.