Speaking the Language of Flowers

Flowers have become an important part of almost all occasions, happy or sad. May it be for weddings, anniversaries, get well soon, condolences, Valentine’s day, Father or Mother’s day to name a few. It is the easiest present we can ever think of when we are in a rush, or we are so tired to think of something to give. We hurriedly make a run-through of all the flowers we see, select what we think is the most beautiful to look, have it wrapped, and then give it. Oftentimes we fail to recognize what it truly meant. Unarguably, flowers in general indicate love and affection, but they can mean differently by way of its color, type, arrangement, its number, its group, how it was presented, if given with a ribbon and how it was given either using your right or left hand. All has corresponding meanings that you will really be surprised. Floriography is called the language of flowers. It first became popular during the Victorian era as a means of communication. It was used to express unspoken messages, ideas and feelings discreetly. Victorians profusely used flower symbolism to convey a message since decorum prohibits them. From then on, flowers have become a channel of expressing oneself.

Flowers signify beauty. However, there is more than mere attraction to them. They have meanings hidden in them. Your favorite flower may mean differently from the way you admired its beauty, shade and scent. So, if you have a hard time conveying yourself, express your emotions through flowers in a unique way by learning the different symbolic meanings to a particular flower. Here are a few:

Acacia: friendship, hidden love

Almond Blossom: hope
Aloe: grief, sorrow
Ambrosia: I love you too.

Anemone: forsaken, diminishing love.

Apple Blossom: good fortune, hope
Astilbe: I will patiently wait.

Aster: love, elegance

Azalea: Passions, fragility, temperance, take good care.

Baby’s Breath: purity, innocence

Balm: empathy, compassion
Basil: best wishes
Begonia: beware, be careful

Bell flower, white: gratitude

Bells of Ireland: good luck

Bergamot: irresistible
Bird of Paradise: faithfulness
Bluebell: humility, constancy, gratitude
Blue Periwinkle: friendship

Buttercup: riches, childishness

Cactus: endurance

Calla: beauty
Camellia: perfection, fascination, gratitude

Carnation: engagement

Carnation (Pink): I’ll never forget you.

Carnation (Yellow): rejection, disappointment

Chrysanthemum (Red): I love you.

Clover (Four-leaf): be mine
Cyclamen: good-bye

Daffodil: respect, my one and only, unrequited love, regard
Dahlia: elegance, volatility, dignity
Daisy: beauty, innocence, loyalty, purity, simplicity
Dandelion: happiness, faithfulness
Date-Plum: resistance

Edelweiss: noble, daring, purity, courage
Euphorbia: persistence
Eremurus: endurance
Eucalyptus: protection

Fennel: flattery
Fern: fascination, sincerity
Filbert: reconciliation
Forget-Me-Not: memories, true love
Forsythia: anticipation, expectation
Foxglove: Insincerity

French marigold: jealousy
Fuchsia: good taste

Gladiolus: strength of character, give me a break
Gardenia: secret love
Galax: Encouragement
Gentian: Loveliness
Geranium: folly, stupidity, silliness
Gloxinia: Love at first sight
Goldenrod: Be cautious
Goosefoot: Insult

Hare bell: grief
Heather: admiration
Heliotrope: devotion
Honey flower: affection
Hyacinth (Yellow): jealousy

Hyacinth (Purple): please forgive me.

Iris: faith, wisdom, valor
Iris (Yellow): passion
Ivy: affection, fidelity, friendship, wedded love
Ipomen Scarlet: embrace
Indian Cane: rendezvous

Jasmine (Yellow): Elegance, Grace, And Modesty
Japonica: love, sincerity
Jerusalem oak: reciprocated love
Jonquil: return of affection, sympathy, desire
Juniper: eternity, chastity

King’s Spear: Regret

Laburnum: blackness
Lantana: rigor
Larkspur: levity
Lavender: devotion, love

Lemon Balm: sympathy
Lemon Blossom: fidelity
Lilac: pride, beauty
Lily: purity, majesty, truth, honor
Lily, Calla: beauty
Lily of the Valley: sweetness, humility, happiness
Lotus: forget the past, estranged love
Lucerne: life

Marjoram: joy, kindness, courtesy
Magnolia: nobility, perseverance
Marigold: grief, sorrow, jealousy, despair, cruelty
Morning Glory: affection
Manchineel: betrayal
Mimosa: secret love
Mugwort: happiness
Mallow: sweetness
Monkshood: chivalry, caution, an enemy is near

Myrtle: Fidelity

Nasturtium: patriotism, conquest, victory in battle
Narcissus: formality, egotism
Narcissus (White): selfishness
Nettle: cruelty
Nightshade: truth

Oak: hospitality
Oleander: caution
Olive: peace
Ophrys Fly: mistake
Orange Blossom: eternal love, marriage, innocence, wisdom, fruitfulness, purity
Orange (Milkweed): deceit

Orange-Tree: generosity
Orchid: beauty, love, refinement
Oregano – Joy

Pansy: loving Thoughts
Passion-Flower: belief
Peach Blossom: captive

Peppermint: warmth, cordiality
Periwinkle: sweet and happy memories
Petunia: anger, resentment
Phlox: harmony
Poppy (Red): consolation
Primrose (Evening): inconstancy, I can't live without you.

Quaking Grass: Agitation

Queen Anne’s lace: fantasy, haven

Rose (Black): obsession
Rose (Bridal): happy love
Rose (Coral): desire
Rose (Dark Crimson): mourning
Rose (Dark Pink): thankfulness
Rose (Lavender): enchantment

Rose (Orange): secret love
Rose (Peach): desire

Rose (Pink): grace, beauty, sweetness, perfect happiness, secret love
Rose (Red): passion, respect, I love you
Rose (Snapdragon): deception

Rose (White): purity, virginity innocence, secrecy
Rose (White and Red): inseparable
Rose (mixed White and Red): unity
Rose (Yellow): friendship, infidelity, jealousy
Rosebud (Red): pure, lovely
Rosemary: constancy, remembrance

Sunflower (Tall): pride, false riches
Sunflower (Dwarf): adoration
Snowdrop: Hope
Sage: gratitude, virtue, respect, wisdom, female fidelity
Satin-Flower: sincerity
Star of Bethlehem: purity

Tuberose: dangerous pleasures
Trumpet Flower: separation
Tulip: love, passion, fame, charity

Tulip (Red): perfect love
Tulip (Yellow): hopeless love

Verbena: sensibility
Veronica: fidelity
Vervain: enchantment
Violet: humility, loyalty, modesty
Violet, (Blue): faithfulness, love

Violet (White): another chance

Wall Flower: faithfulness, fidelity
Water Lily: purity
Water Lily (Yellow): indifference
Water Lily (White): eloquence
White Rose: worthiness

Whortleberry: treachery

Willow, weeping: mourning
Windflower: abandonment, sincerity, love
Wood-Sorrel: joy
Wormwood: grief

Xeranthemum: cheerful

Yarrow: health, healing
Yew: sadness, sorrow

Zinnia (Magenta): lasting affection
Zinnia (Scarlet): constancy
Zinnia (White): goodness
Zinnia (Yellow): remembrance

The number of Roses may also connote something.

Single bloom red Rose – I love you still
Single Rose, any color – simplicity
2 Roses – mutual understanding
3 Roses – I love you
10 Roses – You are perfect
12 Roses – Be mine
13 Roses – forever friends
15 Roses – I’m sincerely sorry
24 Roses – I’m yours forever
25 Roses – Congratulations
50 Roses – I love you unconditionally
108 Roses – Will you marry me?
999 Roses – I love you till death do us part

There is so much you can do with flowers. You can even write sweet messages telling your special someone how you came up with the flowers you gave him/her. For sure, he/she will end the day with a smile on the face.