FLOWER MEANINGS:

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS

LEARN THE SYMBOLISM OF FLOWERS, HERBS, AND OTHER
PLANTS
Do you know the Language of Flowers? Many flowers, herbs, trees, and other
plants traditionally symbolize feelings, moods, or ideas, and as our list below shows, each
flower has its own particular meaning.

Flower meanings have fascinated people for centuries, and they even play a large
role in William Shakespeare’s works. Bouquets make great gifts, and it is important to
know what your bouquet symbolizes. Many people also want to dress up their gardens
with flower symbols that represent them. Roses tend to have special meanings, as do flow-
ers used in weddings. Another important area of flower symbolism is the meaning of birth
month flowers.
HISTORY OF FLOWER MEAN-
INGS

The symbolic language of flowers has been recog-
nized for centuries in many countries throughout
Europe and Asia. Mythologies, folklore, sonnets,
and plays of the ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyp-
tians, and Chinese are peppered with flower and
plant symbolism—and for good reason. Nearly every sentiment imaginable can be ex-
pressed with flowers. The orange blossom, for instance, means chastity, purity, and loveli-
ness, while the red chrysanthemum means “I love you.”

Learning the special symbolism of flowers became a popular pastime during the
1800s. Nearly all Victorian homes had, alongside the Bible, guidebooks for deciphering
the “language,” although definitions shifted depending on the source. Religious, literary,
folkloric, and botanical publications were all used to inform meanings.

Examples of plants and their associated human qualities during the Victorian era
include bluebells and kindness, peonies and bashfulness, rosemary and remembrance, and
tulips and passion.

Flowers provided an incredibly nuanced form of communication. Some plants,

including roses, poppies, and lilies, could express a wide range of emotions based on their
color.

Take, for instance, all of the different meanings attributed to variously colored
carnations: Pink meant “I’ll never forget you”; red said “my heart aches for you”; purple
conveyed capriciousness; white was for the “the sweet and lovely”; and yellow expressed
romantic rejection.
Daffodil Flowers
The daffodil have meanings of faith, honesty, Likewise, a white violet meant “innocence,” while a purple violet
truth, forgiveness, and forthrightness. They said that the bouquet giver’s “thoughts were occupied with love.” A red rose
are ever vigilant in returning each spring,
and with their return we are reminded that was used to openly express feelings of love, while a red tulip was a confes-
their beauty is capable of following on the sion of love. The calla lily was interpreted to mean “magnificent beauty,”
shirttails of even the harshest winters.
and a clover said “think of me.”
Amaryllis Flower
Symbolic of success won after a struggle.
These were often given in recognition of a In a sort of silent dialogue, flowers could be used to answer “yes”
job well done–particularly in scholastics, or “no” questions, too. A “yes” answer came in the form of flowers handed
writing, and artistic endeavors.
over with the right hand; if the left hand was used, the answer was “no.”
Apple Blossom Flower
Intoxicating by their very nature, apple
blossoms are symbolic of heady love, peace, Plants could also express aversive feelings, such as the “conceit” of
sensuality, and fertility.Apple blossoms were
honored by the ancient Celts as a symbol of pomegranate or the “bitterness” of aloe. Similarly, if given a rose declaring
love, and they would decorate their bedcham- “devotion” or an apple blossom showing “preference,” one might return to
bers with these blossoms to entice amorous
nights. It is also symbolic of long life. the suitor a yellow carnation to express “disdain.”
Camellia Flower
the camellia is considered a symbol of desire, How flowers were presented and
passion, and refinement. It indicates a deep
longing in the heart for your beloved. It is
in what condition were import-
also a symbol of perfection and excellence. ant. If the flowers were given
Lily upside down, then the idea being
Lilies are the flowers of the spiritually conveyed was the opposite of
advanced. They are also the totem flowers of
mothers, fertility and nurturing. Lilies are what was traditionally meant.
also appropriate flowers to present during How the ribbon was tied said
weddings as they are symbolic of unions,
partnerships, and long lasting relationships. something, too: Tied to the left,
Sunflower the flowers’ symbolism applied
The way they move their massive heads to to the giver, whereas tied to the
meet the sun make them a flower of spiritual
attainment, flexibility, and opportunity. They right, the sentiment was in reference to the recipient. And, of course, a
are also symbolic of good luck, wealth and wilted bouquet delivered an obvious message!
ambition.

Tulip Flowers The meanings and traditions associated with flowers have certain-
Tulips are a symbol of opportunity, adjust-
ment, advancement, and aspiration. They are ly changed over time, and different cultures assign varying ideas to the
commonly thought to represent attainment same species, but the fascination with “perfumed words” persists just the
of spiritual awareness too. tulips are symbolic
of resurrection and determination. Tulips are same.
also a symbol of spiritual awareness.
SPECIAL MEANING OF WEDDING FLOWERS: FLOWERS
Rose
Rose meanings vary according to color. On OF LOVE
the whole, roses are symbolic of deep love, Flowers have always been a big feature at weddings, too. As an
concentration, intelligence, balance, and pas-
sion. They are also sometimes seen as a mes- example, look to the royal flower bouquet in the wedding of Prince Wil-
sage for healing, revitalization, rejuvenation liam, Duke of Cambridge, to Kate Middleton (now Catherine, Ducchess of
and courage. Roses are very complex in their
features, therefore have complex meanings. Cambridge). Her flowers had very special meaning.
Pansy Flower
Pansies have long been flowers of remem-
brance. They have often been placed upon
The groom, too, wears a flower that appears in the bridal bouquet
memorial markers They are also a symbol of in his button-hole. This stems from the Medieval tradition of wearing his
togetherness and union, and perhaps this is
why they are so appropriate for remembering
Lady’s colors, as a declaration of his love.
those who have passed from our lives.
Dahlia Flower One fun idea is to have a garden gathering and have each person
The dahlia is a spicy flower, and its meanings bring a flower that has meaning to them. Or, paint tiles on a kitchen island
range from a sign of warning, to change,
to travel, to even a portent of betrayal. The with a flower that represents each of your loved ones.
varied symbolic meanings of the dahlia
make this flower a wild card. Give to that
unique, eclectic person whom you wish to
compliment his/her wild side.