 Because its name means "thought", the pansy was chosen as a symbol of Freethought and has been used in the literature of the American Secular Union.Humanists use it too, as the pansy's current appearance was developed from the heartsease by two centuries of intentional crossbreeding of wild plant hybrids.The specific colors of the flower – purple, yellow, and white – are meant to symbolize memories, loving thoughts and souvenirs, respectively.