Love and affection are the dominant message among the symbolic
meanings of flowers....as well it might be. Flowers, after all, are the sexual
reproductive organs of plants, and as such they are representative of all sorts
of intimate proceedings. Think about that every time you sniff a rose, that most
sensual and voluptuous of flowers.
The so-called "Language of Flowers" evolved as a way to
communicate ones deepest feelings in a socially acceptable way. There was a time
in the past when persons of polite and respectable demeanor never spoke publicly
of their romantic feelings. Displays of affection or amorous intent where
considered vulgar and inappropriate in a society where all sorts of behavior was
controlled by the social mores of the day. Love was never discussed among polite
company during the Elizabethan Age in Europe, restricted by etiquette and
conformity. So flowers were used to convey feelings. But it was during the
Victorian Era that simple messages were assigned to individual flowers. Several
small books were published in the late 1800's which detailed the symbolic
meanings of flowers, so that a suitor could send an elaborate, often romantic,
secret message to his beloved by combining the appropriate flowers into a
telling bouquet, and she could respond in kind. The recipients of such flowers
could picture an entire love letter among the blossoms.
And so the Language of Flowers was developed. Some of the
meanings have changed over the years (for example, a yellow rose once meant
"jealousy" but today is most often understood to mean "friendship"), and some of
the original small books actually contradicted each other......a peony
symbolizes either "shame" or "happy marriage". Nevertheless, we've assembled a
list of the most commonly accepted symbolic meaning of flowers for your use.
AcaciaConcealed Love, Beauty in Retirement, Chaste Love
AchilleaNamed after the Greek mythological character, Achilles, who used the flower to treat cuts and bruises on his wounded soldiers. War.
African Corn LilyComes from the Greek work Ixia meaning bird lime because of its sugary sticky sap.
AgapanthusComes from the Greek agape, meaning love and anthos meaning flower, flower of love.
AlstroemeriaNamed after the Swedish Baron, Jonas Alstomer, by his friend Carolus Linnaeus in 1753. Wealth, prosperity, fortune.
AmaryllisPride, splendid beauty, timidity, pastoral poetry.
AmaranthImmortality.
AmrosiaYour Love is Reciprocated
AnemoneFrom the Greek word, anemos meaning wind. Love, lust, forsaken, abandonment and daintiness.
AnigozanthusComes from the Greek word anisus meaning unequal and anthos meaning flower, Plant with the unusual flower.
AnthuriumHard working, think of me.
ArbutusThee Only Do I Love
AsterComes from the Greek word meaning star. Symbol of love, daintiness, after thought.
AstrantiaAstrantia is an old plant name with the origin unknown.
Since the flower is star shaped, it has been assumed that the Greek word astron meaning star plays a role in the origin of the name.
AzaleaTake Care of Yourself for Me, Temperance, Fragile Passion, Chinese Symbol of Womanhood
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Baby`s BreathInnocence, pure of heart.
Bachelor's ButtonDelicacy, hope in love, blessedness.
BambooBased on Chinese tradition, the ingredients to a happy life are happiness, wealth and longevity.
BegoniaBeware
Bells of IrelandGood Luck, Luck of the Irish.
Birds of ParadiseNamed for King George III's wife, Charlotte of Macklenberg-Streliz, who was crowned Queen of England in 1761. Freedom, Good Perspective.
BittersweetTruth
BluebellHumility
BouvardiaNamed after Louis XIII's physician, Charles Boubard. Enthusiasm.
BupleurumFrom the Greek word boupleurs meaning Oxen rib.
CactusEndurance
Calla LilyNamed for Francesco Zantedeschia. Beauty.
CamelliaMany different meanings for different colors. Red means excellence. White means adorable and lovely.
Pink means I long for your touch. Blue means you are the flame in my heart.
CarnationFascination, admiration, pure love, my heart yearns for you, a mother's love, Woman's Love. Pink means I'll Never Forget You.
Red means My Heart Aches For You, Admiration. Purple means Capriciousness. White means Sweet and Lovely, Innocence, Pure Love, Woman's Good Luck Gift.
Yellow means You Have Disappointed Me, Rejection.
ChrysanthemumNamed by Carolis Linnaeus in the 17th Century. Cheerfulness, you're a wonderful friend, rest, loveliness, optimisim, abundance, wealth. Red means love. Yellow means slighted love and white means truth.
CosmosComes from the Latin word kosmos meaning beautiful.
Crocus CheerfulnessCyclamen Resignation and Good-bye
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DaffodilBased on the Greek mythology character, Narcissus, who was known to be so arrogant that when he looked into a mirror he fell in love
with his reflection. He was later said to have been turned into the flower. Chivalry, respect, you are my only one,
the sun shines when I'm with you, unrequited love.
DahliasNamed for the Swedish botanist Dr. Anders Dahl. Dignity, elegance, good taste, instability.
DaisyNamed by Carolis Linnaeus in the 17th Century. Cheerfulness, you're a wonderful friend, rest, loveliness, Innocence, Loyal Love, I'll Never Tell, Purity, optimisim, abundance, wealth. Red means love. Yellow means slighted love and white means truth.
Dandelion - Faithfulness, Happiness
DelphiniumComes from the Greek word, delphis meaning dolphin. Flight of fancy, ardent attachment, agility.
DianthusComes from the Greek words Dios meaning god and Anthos meaning flower.
English LavenderComes from the Latin word lavare meaning to wash.
EquisetumComes from the Latin word equis meaning horse and seta meaning bristle.
EucalyptusComes from the Greek word eu meaning well and kalypto to cover.
Fern Magic, Fascination, Confidence and Shelter
Fir Time
Flax Domestic Symbol
Forget-me-notFaithful love, undying love, do not forget, memories.
Forsythia Anticipation
FreesiaNamed after a German physician , Dr. Friedrich Reese. Love, calm, careful, passion, rushed.
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GardeniaNamed after a Dr. Alexander Garden a physician and botanist in South Carolina. Secret love, lovely.
Geranium Stupidity, Folly
Gerbera Daisy Named for a German naturalist Traugott Gerber. Purity and strength.
GingerDiversity, unlimited wealth.
GladiolusGladiolus is Latin for sword. Graceful, strong sense of character.
Gloxinia Love at First Sight
Godetia Named for Captain William Clark. Pleasing.
Golden RodComes from the Latin word solido which means to make whole or strengthen.
Golden CraspediaEdged and Frigid.
HeatherYour wishes will come true, admiration for another, protection, solitude.
HollyDefense, Domestic Happiness
HeliconiaGreat returns.
HyacinthNamed for the Greek mythology character, Hyakinthos, who was loved by the god of the sun, Apollo.
Jealousy, on part of the god of the west wind, injured Hyakinthos causing blood to be shed.
From the blood, the flower grew and Apollo named it for Hyakinthos. Consistency, please forgive me, jealousy, loveliness.
HydrangeaThank you for your understanding, heartlessness, arrogance, aloofness, frigidity.
IrisNamed after the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Your friendship means the world to me, faith, hope, wisdom, valor. My compliments
IvyWedded Love, Fidelity, Friendship, Affection
Jonquil Love Me, Affection Returned, Desire, Sympathy, Desire for Affection Returned
KalanchoeEndurence, lasting affection.
LarkspurFickleness
LeptospermumComes from the Greek words leptos meaning slender and sperma meaning seeds.
LilacLove or Absence of Passion.
LiatrisEnthusiasm.
LilyMost colors have different meanings. Yellow means gay and walking on air. White means purity, virginity, majesty.
Lily of the ValleySweetness, you complete my life, return of happiness.
LimoniumComes from the Greek word leumon which means meadow. Sympathy, remembrance, lasting beauty.
LisianthusComes from the Greek word lysis meaning dissolution and anthos meaning flower .
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MagnoliaNobility
MarigoldCruelty, Grief, Jealousy
Matsumoto AstersComes from the Latin word meaning star.
MistletoeKiss me, Affection, To Surmount Difficulties, Sacred Plant of India
MonkshoodBeware, A Deadly Foe is Near
MossMaternal Love, Charity
MyrtleLove, Hebrew Emblem of Marriage
NarcissusComes from the Greek word Narcissus meaning numbness. Self-esteem and vanity.
Nasturtium Patriotism, Conquest, victory in battle. Associated with the fortieth wedding anniversary.
NerineNamed for the Nereids in Greek mythology. The nereids were sea nymphs and daughters of the sea god, Nereus.
Oleander Beauty and Grace
Orange Blossom Your Purity Equals Your Loveliness, Innocence, Eternal Love
Orange Mock Deceit
OrchidComes from the Greek work orchis meaning testicle. Love, beauty, refinement.
OrnithogalumComes from the Greek word ornis meaning bird and gala meaning milk.
Named for the star of Bethlehem that appeared in the biblical account of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Pansy Thoughtful Recollection
Passionflower Faith and Piety
Peach Blossom Generosity and Bridal Hope
Pear Blossom Health and Hope
PeoniesHappy marriage, prosperity. In China, the word for peony is sho yu meaning most beautifu.l
Peppermint Warmth of Feelings
Periwinkle Blue means Early Friendship, White means Pleasures of Memory
Petunia Anger and Resentment
PhloxOur souls are united. Means flame in Latin.
PittosporumComes from the Greek word pitt meaning pitch seed.
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PlatycodonNamed balloon flower because buds look like inflated balloons ready to burst.
Plum Blossom Beauty and Longevity
Poinsettia "Be of Good Cheer"
PoppyRemembrance, wealth, pleasure, imagination, Dreaminess, eternal sleep.
Pincushion ProteaComes from the Greek God, Proteus who was known to be able to change into different shapes.
Primrose Young Love, I cannot live without you
Primrose, evening Inconstancy
King ProteaComes from the Greek god, Proteus who was known to be able to change into different shapes.
Queen Anne's LaceHaven, self-reliance. Fantasy
RanunculusComes from the Latin word ranunculus meaning little frog. You are in attractions.
RoseSee Rose Colors And Their Meanings
Rosemary Constancy, Fidelity and Loyalty
SalalZest.
SalviaComes from the Latin word salvia which means to heal. Blue means "I Think of You"
SandersoniaNamed for John Sanderson, who discovered the plant in 1851 in South Africa.
ScabiosaComes from the Greek word scabies meaning to itch.
Smilax Lovely
SnapdragonComes from the Greek word anti meaning like and rhin meaning nose. Gracious lady, presumption, graciousness.
Snowdrop Hope and Consolation
Spearmint Warmth of Sentiment
Spider Flower Elope with me
SolidasterSolid aster is named for its parents, Aster and solidago (golden rod).
StaticeRememberance
StephanotisComes from the Greek words stephanos meaning crown and otos meaning ear, a crown of ears. Luck, prosperity, wedding.
StockYou will always be beautiful to me, lasting beauty, promptness.
Sunflower Homage and Devotion, Comes from the Greek word helios meaning sun and anthos meaning flowers. Adoration, pride, sunshine.
Sweet Basil Good Luck
Sweet peaDelicate pleasures, Departure, Blissful pleasure, Thanks for a lovely time.
Sweet William Gallantry, Finesse and Perfection
StrawflowerComes from the Greek words helisso meaning to turn around and chyrsos meaning gold. Never ending remembrance.
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Thrift Sympathy
Thyme Courage and Activity
Tiger Lily Wealth and Pride
TracheliumComes from the Greek word meaning rough throat because of the medicinal uses to treat neck and throat pain. Neglected beauty.
TuberoseComes from the Greek word polis meaning white and anthos meaning flower. Voluptuousness.
TulipLike the rose, colors of tulips have different meanings. Red means declaration of love, believe me.
Yellow means hopeless love, sunshine in your smile. General means perfect lover, frame, beautiful eyes.
VeronicaThe origin of the name is disputed. It is unknown whether it was honoring St. Veronica or the markings of the same species of the flower resembled the markings on her sacred handkerchief she handed to Christ while he was carrying the Cross.
VioletNamed for Baron Walter Von Saint Paul Illaire who discovered the plant in Tanzania in 1892. Modesty, faithfulness, virtue, Simplicity.
Viscaria Will you dance with me?
WaxflowerNamed Geraldaton wax after the town in Australia where the flower originated. Happiness in Marriage.
Wallflower Friendship and Adversity
Water Lily Eloquence and Persuasion
Wisteria Youth and Poetry
Xeranthemum Eternity and Immortality
Yarrow Healing
ZinniaLike the rose, Zinnias color represents different meanings such as red means constancy. White means goodness.
Yellow means daily remembrance. Mixed means in memory of a dear friend. General means thoughts of an absent friend. Pink means lasting affection.
Symbolic meanings have been attributed to
flowers since the beginning of time. It has been said that roses
first turned red as they blushed with shame at Adam and Eve's expulsion from
the Garden of Eden. Laurel wreaths placed around the heads of early Greek
Olympians symbolized victory and glory. According to Christian legend,
carnations sprouted from the ground where Mary's tears fell as she wept at the
foot of the cross where Jesus died, and therefore are associated with a
mother's undying love. The white lily is strongly linked with Mary throughout
art history, symbolizing her virginity, purity, and majesty. And in Ancient
Egypt, Cleopatra scattered roses at Marc Anthony's feet as a symbol of her
love.
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