Flowers are very popular in our society. They are commonly used in ceremonies such as weddings and funerals and are often used to beautify public parks and buildings. Nature-lovers enjoy experiencing all of the various types, colors, and fragrances of flowers found in nature, and home gardeners enjoy the beauty that flowers bring to their yards and homes. Many people send popular flowers for a variety of occasions, such as housewarming, get well, sympathy, funeral, wedding, anniversary, graduation, birth, Easter, Christmas, birthday, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and other events for which flower arrangements are appropriate.
While most people are familiar with the practice of sending florist flowers for different occasions, not everyone knows that there are specific meanings behind certain flowers. Flower symbolism has deep roots, weaving through the cultures of Europe and Asia for centuries. It's not just a whimsical notion; it surfaces in the works of William Shakespeare and the mythologies of the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and Chinese. The heavy use of floral symbolism in historical literature underscores its importance in communication and storytelling.
Common Blooms and Their Meanings
Carnation
Light red carnations express feelings of admiration, dark red carnations express affection and love, white carnations symbolize luck and purity, while pink carnations signify gratitude.
Daisy
Daisies are a symbol of beauty, and some of their meanings include purity and innocence. Gerbera daisies also express cheerfulness, owing to their assorted color varieties.
Iris
The many varieties of irises express sentiments of admiration, courage, hope, faith, and wisdom. The purple iris also symbolizes royalty, while the yellow iris symbolizes passion.
The meaning of the orchid includes luxury, beauty, love, and strength. The orchid also represents femininity.
The different varieties of lilies express beauty, pride, humility, virginity, purity, wealth, and sweetness.
Red roses symbolize beauty, romance, and love; pink roses signify elegance, grace, joyfulness, and admiration; yellow roses are a symbol of friendship; white roses represent honor, purity, and innocence; and orange roses symbolize passion and desire.
Sunflower
Sunflowers signify cheerfulness, loyalty, adoration, longevity, pride, and sunshine.
Tulip
Red tulips signify true love, purple tulips represent royalty, yellow tulips express cheerfulness, and white tulips represent forgiveness.
Daffodil
Daffodils symbolize new beginnings, rebirth, unrequited love, and eternal life. They also express chivalry and regard. A lone daffodil represents a misfortune, and a bunch of daffodils signify happiness and joy.
Dahlia
Dahlias convey good taste, elegance, and dignity.
Forget-Me-Not
Forget-Me-Nots express true love, faithful love, memories, and undying hope.
Geranium
Geraniums signify a peaceful mind, gentility, folly, and stupidity.
Lilacs symbolize confidence and youthful innocence. White lilacs represent innocence and humility, field lilacs express charity, and purple lilacs signify love.
Magnolias symbolize dignity, nobility, and love of nature.
Peony
Peonies express compassion, prosperity, good health, bashfulness, and shame.
Poppy
Poppies signify imagination, oblivion, and eternal sleep. Red poppies express pleasure, white poppies signify consolation, and yellow poppies symbolize wealth and success.
Violets represent virtue, modesty, and faithfulness.
Gardenia
Gardenias express sweetness and purity. They convey joy and secret love.
Baby's Breath
Baby's breath flowers symbolize innocence and pureness of heart.
Azaleas express temperance, forbearance, and moderation.
Petunia
Petunias represent anger and resentment as well as saying “your presence soothes me.”
Lotus flowers symbolize purity, faithfulness, wholesomeness, wealth, and elegance. In Buddhism, the blue lotus represents purity of wisdom, the white lotus conveys religious perfection, and the red lotus represents the heart.
Camellia
Camellias represent perfection and gratitude. Blue camellias say “you are a flame in my heart,” pink camellias say “I am longing for you,” red camellias express unpretending excellence, and white camellias symbolize perfected loveliness and say “you are adorable.”
Buttercup
Buttercup flowers symbolize cheerfulness, charm, riches, and childishness.
Acacias signify chaste love, concealed love, and friendship.
Lesser-Known Flower and Plant Symbolism
- Aloe: Represents affection and grief
- Anemone: Symbolizes being forsaken
- Angelica: Inspires and uplifts
- Arborvitae: Symbolizes unchanging friendship
- Aster: Signifies love and daintiness
- Basil: Represents good wishes
- Bay Tree: Symbolizes glory and victory
- Begonia: Warns to beware
- Bittersweet: Speaks of truth
- Bluebell: Embodies humility
- Borage: Symbolizes bluntness and directness
- Chamomile: Stands for patience in adversity
- Chives: Represents usefulness
- Edelweiss: Symbolizes courage and devotion
- Fern: Conveys magic and fascination
- Holly: Represents defense and domestic happiness
- Honeysuckle: Symbolizes bonds of love
- Ivy: Embodies affection and fidelity
- Mint: Symbolizes virtue
- Myrtle: Represents good luck and love in marriage
- Thyme: Stands for courage and strength
How Do Flower Meanings Vary by Color?
Carnations: A Kaleidoscope of Emotions
- Pink Carnations: "I'll never forget you."
- Red Carnations: Signify deep longing or admiration
- Purple Carnations: Embody whimsy or unpredictability
- White Carnations: Represent innocence and pure love
- Yellow Carnations: Indicate romantic rejection or disappointment
Versatile Violets
- White Violets: Symbolize innocence and humility
- Purple Violets: Convey thoughts of love and affection
Roses: The Quintessential Symbol of Love
- White Roses: Embody purity, new beginnings, and respect
- Red Roses: Are emblematic of love and passionate desire
- Deep Crimson Roses: Often relate to mourning or sorrow
- Pink Roses: Suggest grace, joy, and gentleness
- Yellow Roses: Once indicated jealousy or infidelity
- Orange Roses: Express enthusiasm and desire
- Lavender Roses: Represent love at first sight
- Coral Roses: Communicate friendship and sympathy
Other Symbolic Blooms
- Red Tulips: Serve as bold confessions of love
- Calla Lilies: Symbolize magnificent beauty
- Clovers: Subtly whisper, "Think of me."
Send your favorite flowers to a loved one here!
This article was published by Chad Kremp.
