Tradition, fragrance, and beauty are obvious reasons to choose a flower bouquet ; but if you want to make every gesture count, then choose flowers with meanings that represent appropriate virtues or sentiments.
The language of flowers is century old and began with herbs that had ancient symbolic meaning in Chinese, Greek, Roman, Turkish, and Egyptian cultures. In the early 1600s, John Parkinson, a French herbalist and physician, gave meaning to diminutive nosegays of fragrant flowers and leaves. The tradition continued and by the Victorian era the art of sending symbolic messages by gifts of flowers, called florigraphy , was all the rage.
Many experts disagree on the "true meaning" of many flowers and most have different meanings to different people. But we all believe in flower power whatever message they convey. Here are some of the more traditional flower meanings,. See, if you agree, and remember, a gift of flowers for a special someone will always create its own personal meaning, too.
| FLOWERS |
SYMBOLIC MEANING
|
|
Anthurium |
Lover |
|
Aster |
Elegance |
|
Alium |
Strength |
|
Agpanthus |
Love |
|
Baby’s breath |
Modesty of beauty |
|
Broom |
Humility |
|
Bells of Ireland |
Good Luck |
|
Carnations |
Pure love |
|
Carnation (Red) |
Admiration, Fascination |
|
Carnations (White) |
Remembrance, Ardent Love, Good Luck |
|
Carnation (Pink) |
Mother’s/ Woman’s Love |
|
Camellia |
Longing for You |
|
Chrysanthemum |
Cheerfulness, Supple and resistant |
|
Chrysanthemum
( small) |
Nothing is too small to merit its
attention |
Chrysanthemum
(White) |
Truth, Loyal Love |
Chrysanthemum
(Yellow) |
Slighted Love |
|
Cornflower |
Delicacy |
|
Calla Lily |
Magnificent Beauty |
|
Daisy ( Gerbera) |
Innocence, Frankness, Loyal Love |
|
Deffodil |
Regard |
|
Fern |
Fascination, sincerity |
|
Forget-Me-Not |
True Love, Memories |
|
Gladiolus |
Receptivity, Flower of the Gladiators |
|
Hyacinth |
Games and Sports, Rashness, Flower
Dedicated to Apollo |
|
Hydrangea |
Thank You for Understanding, Frigidity, |
|
Iris |
Aristocracy of beauty - so
perfect a form as to compel
admiration |
|
Ivy |
Friendship, fidelity, and marriage |
|
Jasmine |
Purity, True purity is fragrant |
|
Lily of vally |
Purity, peace, and return of happiness
You've Made My Life Complete |
|
Lily ( Tiger) |
Wealth , Pride |
|
Lily (White) |
Virginity, Purity, Majesty, It's
Heavenly to be with You |
|
Lily (Yellow) |
I'm Walking on Air |
|
Lavender |
Devotion, acknowledgment of love |
|
Lady’s lace |
Purity – can only obtained by the
absence of desires |
|
Larksper |
Lightness |
|
Lupin |
Dejection |
|
Lotus |
Eloquence |
|
Lilac |
The first string of love, light
and graceful |
|
Narcissus |
Self Admiration |
|
Orchids |
Love, Beauty, Refinement, Beautiful
Lady, Chinese Symbol for Many Children |
|
Prime rose |
Early youth |
|
Poppy |
Eternal Sleep, Oblivion, Imagination |
|
Pine |
Hope, Pity |
|
Palm Leaves |
Victory and Success |
|
Rose |
Love and unity, Passion |
|
Rose (red bud) |
You are young and beautiful |
|
Rose (white) |
I am worthy of you, Integral love |
Rose
(pink) |
Surrender, Perfect Happiness, Please
Believe Me, Gratitude, Admiration |
|
Rose (orange) |
Flaming love, Desire |
Rose
(lavender or mauve) |
Humility in love |
Rose
(bicoloured roes) |
Balance of nature in love |
|
Rose (yellow) |
Joy, Freedom, Slighted Love |
|
Rose (Red & White) |
Unity |
|
Rose (Red & Yellow) |
Happiness |
|
Rose (Single Red)
|
New Love |
|
Stock |
Lasting beauty |
|
Sweet Pea |
Good-bye, Departure, Blissful Pleasure,
Thank You for a Lovely Time |
|
Tube Rose |
Strong, lasting and fragrant |
|
Tulip |
A declaration of love |
|
Violet |
Faith and royalty |
|
Zinnia |
Lasting Affection |
|
|
