Flower Symbolism

Learn the unspoken language of flowers, how to send a special message with a single flower or a bouquet of flowers and a little history of flower symbolism.

Flowers not only can be enjoyed for their beauty, they can also be used to speak for you. As in the past, you may want to use them to send a message to the person you are giving the flowers to.

One pink rose says ‘I like you’

Florigraphy is the language of flower symbolism that began in ancient times in Turkey and Greece and has been a part of history ever since. The language given to flowers is a culmination of meanings or symbolism derived from the bible, folklore, mythology, cultures, and a plant’s physical characteristics. A book on the language of flowers was introduced to Europe in the mid 1700’s eliciting the publication of numerous others books on the subject. These books helped to interpret the meaning of flowers given to a lady from a gentleman.

The practice of giving flowers that held a special meaning was common during the Victorian era and could either have a positive or negative message to it. The type of flower, the size and the grouping was important as well as the presentation of the flowers in telling the whole intent. For example, if a gentleman was interested in a lady, he would present the flowers in an upright position, given with the right hand. And to discourage a lady’s interest he would present the flowers in an upside down position, given with the left hand.

It was also common for gifts of flowers to be given between friends and family members and was an important part of a person’s attire and home décor.

You may come across books that have different meanings for the same flower which may be the result of a certain time in history and local customs. Here is a list of common meanings for some a today’s popular flowers. You just never know when a flower may speak to you.

A – F

Acacia – non reciprocated love
Apple Blossom – good fortune
Arbutis – thee only do I love
Aster – fidelity
Azalea – passion
Baby’s Breath – pure of heart
Bachelor Button – single blessedness
Begonia – fanciful nature
Bittersweet – truth
Bluebell – humility
Buttercup – riches
Camellia – admiration, gratitude
Carnation (solid color) – affirmation of love
Light Red – admiration
Dark Red – love
White – purity
Pink – graditude
Carnation (striped) – refusal of love
Chrysanthemum – long life, abundance
Clematis – ingenuity
Coreopsis – always cheerful
Cornflower – refinement
Daffodil –
Happiness when given in a bunch
Misfortune when a single bloom is given
Daisy – innocence, pure of mind, heart and soul, undying love
Dandelion – faithfulness
Delphinium – big hearted
Forget-me-not – remember me
Forsythia – anticipation
Freesia – innocence
Fuchsia – confiding love

Daffodil – Happiness when given in a bunch

G – L

Gardenia – secret love
Geranium – true friend
Gladioli – generosity
Hibiscus – consumed by love
Honeysuckle – generosity
Hyacinth –
Purple – please forgive me
Red or Pink – playful
Blue – constancy
Hydrangea – heartfelt, gratefulness
Iris – trust, friendship
Purple – royalty
Yellow – passion
Lilac – beauty, pride
Purple – new love
White – innocence
Lily – purity of heart
White – purity, chastity, innocence
Pink – prosperity
Lily of the Valley – sweetness, happiness

Hydrangea – heartfelt, gratefulness

M – R

Magnolia – perseverance
Marigold – pretty love
Mistletoe – kiss me
Morning Glory – affection
Narcissus – formality
Orange Blossom – marriage
Orchid – perfection, delicate beauty
Pink – pure affection
Pansy – thinking of you
Peony – romance, prosperity, happy marriage
Petunia – you sooth me
Phlox – united souls
Poppy – eternal sleep
Rhododendron – beware
Rose –
Red – love, passion
Deep Red – beauty
White – purity, honor (marriage and remembrance)
Yellow – caring, friendship
Peach and Pink – appreciation, admiration, joyfulness
Deep Pink – deep gratitude
Orange – passion, desire
Lavender – love at first sight

The number of roses given also has meaning –
1 red rose – I love you
1 white rose – my feelings are pure
1 yellow rose – you bring joy to my life
1 pink rose – I like you
1 orange rose – I am proud of you
1 peach rose – thank you
1 lavender rose – I am enchanted with you
1 blue rose – you are a dream
2 red roses – let us be together
3 red roses – you, me and our love
6 red roses – I think I am falling in love with you
12/ 24 / 50 red roses – be mine / I am yours / my love is endless
25 red roses – congratulation
Rose of Sharon – consumed by love

A bouquet of yellow, white and deep pink roses

S – Z

Sunflower – warmth, loyalty, longevity
Sweetpea – good by, thank you
Sweet William – grant me a smile
Tulip –
Red – declaration of love and hopes for an answer
Yellow – hopeless love, cheerfulness
Purple – royalty
White – forgiveness
Cream – I will love you forever
Pink – Affection and caring
Variegated colors- beautiful eyes
Verbena – sensibility
Violet – humility, chastity
Blue – faithfulness
White – a chance on happiness
Wisteria – welcome
Yarrow – cure for heartache
Zinnia –
Magenta – lasting affection
White – goodness
Scarlet – constancy
Mixed Color – thinking of an absent friend