The symbolism and meanings of flowers comes from ancient times of myth and legend. The language of flowers is known as Floriography. The symbolism of flowers over time has also often been linked to religious beliefs and worshipped deities, such as Venus, Apollo, Jupiter and Diana. Flower symbolism was used in the religious arts of the middle ages and the Renaissance, reaching a peak in Victorian times. The different colours and varieties of flowers have different meanings and connotations that have evolved over a very long time. The giving of flowers can often convey a message that sometimes words cannot express. Flowers are with us from the day we are born to the day we die. They are with us at birth, marriage, holidays, graduations, anniversaries, illness……and finally death.
In these modern times, flowers still have a very important part to play in our lives. Florists often provide information to help people ‘say it with flowers’.
ROSES are the most commonly given flowers throughout the world. But it is important to remember that within the family of roses all the different colour varieties have different meanings. Roses were first cultivated some 500 years ago in Chinese gardens. It has been said that Confucius wrote that the emperor of China had some 600 books on the cultivation of roses. Roses were introduced to Europe and from that time on were used mainly for ornamental purposes. Roses are the international emblems of New York City and England.
Red Roses symbolize love, desire, respect and courage. Red roses are the most popular colour of roses available. A single red rose given as a gift tells the recipient that “I am madly in love with you”.
Pink Roses symbolize love, grace, gentility and perfect happiness. A single pink rose given simply means “I love you”. Dark Pink Roses say “thank you”. They represent thankfulness and gratitude.
Pale Pink Roses represent admiration, grace and joy.
Orange Roses stand for enthusiasm and joy. Orange Roses are some of the most unique roses available. An orange Rose given can convey the message that you are ready to move beyond the friendship stage of a relationship, they can symbolize desire.
Yellow Roses have a variety of meanings including joy, infidelity, gladness, friendship, jealousy, welcome back and “remember me”. They also symbolize giving someone a second chance. Yellow Roses are commonly given to new mothers, newlyweds and graduates.
Peach Roses mean “let’s get together”, immortality, sincerity, gratitude, and the closing of an important deal. Owing to the gentle colour of the peach Rose, it can also symbolize modesty. Crimson Roses symbolize mourning and are most commonly seen at funerals.
Roses given as a colour combination also have meaning. Pink and white Roses given together mean “I love you still and I always will”. Yellow and red Roses given together mean “congratutulations”.
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LILIES, known as the flower of purity. Lilies are associated with chastity, holy trinity, faith, wisdom, chivalry, royalty, beauty, wealth, pride and even hatred. The symbolism of lilies is tied with the annunciation of the birth of Jesus by the angel Gabriel. In both Christian and Pagan tradition, Lilies symbolize fertility. At Greek weddings, the bride wears a crown of Lilies.
White Lilies say majesty and purity, virginity, “I kiss your fingertips”.
Orange Lilies say pure hatred and disdain.
Calla Lilies symbolize majesty and beauty.
Tiger Lilies represent sensual love and passion.
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CARNATIONS are the international flower of lovers. They also symbolize capriciousness, impulsiveness, joy, disdain and refusal (white carnations only). The name Carnation may have been derived from the Greek word carnis, which means (flesh).
Pink Carnations represent Mother’s Day “I will never forget you”.
Red Carnations stand for passion, admiration and pure love. They say “My heart aches for you, I must see you soon”.
Striped Carnations tell somebody “No I am sorry, I cannot be with you”.
White Carnations represent pure love and devotion, innocence and sweet love.
Yellow Carnations represent disdain and rejection.See and buy our massive range of high quality artificial flowers online at
TULIPS are the flower of passion and pride. Tulips are the national symbol of Holland. The name Tulip originates from the name Turban, which is the headdress worn by many Middle Eastern people, this headdress can also be known as a Taliban. In Latin this name translates to “Tulipa”. As with all other flowers in Floriography, different colours of Tulips convey different meanings.
Red Tulips mean “believe me”, and true love.
Variegated Tulips symbolize beautiful eyes.
Yellow Tulips mean there is sunshine in your smile.
Cream Tulips mean “I will love you forever”.
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The main flower varieties are covered in detail above. Below is a list of less popular, but by no means less meaningful, flower varieties and their meanings:
Abor Vitae - True Friendship
Absinth/Wormwood - Separation and Torment of Love
Acacia - Platonic Love, concealed love
Aconite/Monkshood - Misanthropy and Poisonous Words
Adams's Needle - A Friend in need
Adonis - Recollection of Life's Pleasure
Almond Blossom - Hope and Watchfulness
Aloe - Wisdom and Integrity
Allspice - Compassion
Alyssum (sweet) - Worth beyond beauty
Amaranth - Fidelity
Amaranth, Globe - Unchangeable
Amaryllis - Pastoral Poetry, Pride
Ambrosia - Your Love is reciprocated
Anemone - Refusal and Abandonment, Forsaken
Apple - Symbol of Perpetual Concord
Arbutus – “Thee only do I Love”
Artemisia - Symbol of Dignity
Asphodel - Languor and Regret
Aster - Daintiness, Symbol of Love
Azalea - Fragile and Ephemeral Passion
Apricot Blossom - Timid Love
Baby's Breath - Happiness
Bay Wreath - Reward of Merit
Begonia - "Beware! I am fanciful!"
Bindweed - Coquette and Busybody
Bittersweet -Truth
Blackthorn/Sloe - Difficulty and Austerity
Blue Bell - Delicacy and Humility
Bouquet of Withered Flowers- Rejected love
Burdock - Importunity and Boredom
Buttercup – Childishness
Cactus - Bravery and Endurance
Camellia - Excellence and Steadfastness
Camellia, red - You are a flame in my heart
Camellia, white - You're adorable
Camomile - Initiative and Ingenuity
Candytuft - Indifference
Canterbury Bell - Constancy and Warning
Cardinal Flower - Distinction and Splendour
Carnation - Fascination
Carnation, Pink - Emblem of Mother's Day, I will never forget you
Carnation, Purple - Antipathy and Capriciousness
Carnation, Red - Admiration, my heart aches for you
Carnation, Striped - No, Sorry, I cannot be with you
Carnation, White - Pure Love, Sweet Love, Innocence
Carnation, Yellow - Disdain and Rejection
Cedar Leaf - "I live for thee"
Chestnut - Independence and Injustice
China Aster - Jealousy and After-thought
Chrysanthemum - You are a wonderful friend
Chrysanthemum, Red – “I love you”
Chrysanthemum, White - Truth
Chrysanthemum, Yellow - Slighted Love
Cinnamon - Love and Beauty
Clematis - Artifice and Ingenuity
Clove - Dignity and Restraint
Clover - Fertility and Domestic Virtue
Clover, Four leafed - Symbol Of Good Luck
Clover, Five leafed - Symbol Of Bad Luck
Cockscomb/Celosia - Silliness or Foppery
Coltsfoot - Maternal Love and Care
Columbine - Cuckoldry and Deserted Love
Convolvulus - Humble Perseverance
Coreopsis - Always cheerful
Crane's-bill / Wild Geranium - Constancy and Availability
Crown Imperial - Majesty and Power
Cyclamen - Resignation & Goodbye
Daffodil - Emblem of Annunciation/Regard, Unrequited love
Dahlia - Good Taste
Daisy - Gentleness, Innocence, Loyal love
Dandelion - Oracle of Time and Love, Faithfulness, Happiness
Day Lily/Hemerocallis - Emblem Of The Mother
Delphinium - Airy
Dogwood – Durability
Edelweiss - Daring & Noble Courage
Eglantine - Spring & Poetry
Elderberry Blossom - Humility and Kindness
Everlasting - Constancy
Fennel - Strength
Fern - Sincerity, Magic, Fascination, Confidence, Shelter
Fir - Time & Evaluation
Forget-me-not - Faithful Love, Memories
Forsythia - Anticipation
Fuchsia – Amiability
Gardenia - "I love you in secret"
Geranium, Oak-leaf - Friendship
Geranium, Rose - Preference
Gillyflower, Pink - Bonds Of Affection
Gladiolus - Strength Of Character, I am really sincere
Gloxinia - Love at first sight
Goldenrod - Treasure And Good Fortune
Heather, Purple - Admiration, Beauty and Solitude
Heather, Pink - "Good Luck"
Heather, White - Protection From Danger
Heliotrope - Devotion, Eternal Love
Hibiscus - Delicate Beauty
Holly - Foresight
Hollyhock - Ambition and Liberality
Honeysuckle - Sweetness Of Disposition
Hyacinth - Games & Sports
Hyacinth, purple - “I am sorry, Please forgive me, Sorrow”
Hyacinth, white - Loveliness, I will pray for you
Hyacinth, yellow - Jealousy
Hydrangea - Vanity, Thank you for understanding, Frigidity
Iris - Faith, Wisdom, Valour, "Your Friendship means so much to me"
Ivy - Friendship, Wedded love, Fidelity, Friendship, Affection
Jasmine, Red - Folly and Glee
Jasmine, White - Amiability and Cheerfulness
Jasmine, Yellow - Timidity and Modesty
Jonquil - Violent Sympathy and Desire, Love me, Affection returned
Lady's Slipper - Capricious Beauty
Larkspur - Open Heart
Laurel - Success and Renown
Lavender - Constancy
Lilac, Mauve - "Do You Still Love Me"
Lilac, Pink - Youth and Acceptance
Lilac, White - "My First Dream Of Love"
Lily, Day - Coquetry
Lily-Of-The-Valley - Purity and Humility, Sweetness
Lotus - Mystery and Truth
Love-In-The-Mist / Nigell - Delicacy and Perplexity
Magnolia - Dignity, Splendid Beauty
Marigold - Sacred Affection, Cruelty, Grief, Jealousy
Marjoram - Comfort and Consolation
Marvel-Of-Peru - Flame of Love
Mistletoe - Affection and Love
Mimosa - Sensitivity
Myrtle - Love, Mirth and Joy
Narcissus - Egotism, Formality
Nasturtium - Patriotism
Oleander - Beauty and Grace
Orange Blossom - Your Purity Equals Your Loveliness, Innocence, Eternal Love
Orange Mock - Deceit
Orchid - Magnificence, Love, Beauty, Refinement
Pansy - Thoughtful Recollection
Passionflower - Faith and Piety
Peach Blossom: - Generosity and Bridal Hope
Pear Blossom: - Health and Hope
Peony - Healing, Life, Happy Marriage, Gay life
Peppermint - Warmth of Feelings
Periwinkle, Blue - Early Friendship
Periwinkle, White - Pleasures of Memory
Petunia - Anger and Resentment
Phlox - Sweet Dreams
Plum Blossom- Beauty and Longevity
Poinsettia - "Be of Good Cheer"
Poppy - Imagination, Dreaminess, Eternal sleep
Poppy, yellow - Young Love, I cannot live without you
Primrose - Wealth, Success
Primrose, evening – Inconstancy
Queen Anne's Lace - Fantasy
Rosemary - Constancy, Fidelity and Loyalty
Salvia, Blue - "I Think of You"
Smilax - Lovely
Snapdragon - Presumption, Deception, Gracious lady
Snowdrop - Hope and Consolation
Spearmint - Warmth of Sentiment
Spider Flower - Elope with me
Statice - Lasting Beauty
Stephanotis - Happiness in marriage
Stock - Bonds of affection, You will always be beautiful to me
Sunflower - Homage and Devotion
Sweet Basil - Good Luck
Sweet Pea- Departure, Blissful pleasure, Thanks for a lovely time
Sweet William - Gallantry, Finesse and Perfection
Thrift - Sympathy
Thyme - Courage and Activity
Tuberose - Dangerous Pleasures
Violet - Modesty and Simplicity
Viscaria – “Will you dance with me?”
Wallflower - Deceit
Water Lily - Eloquence and Persuasion
Wisteria - Youth and Poetry
Xeranthemum - Eternity and Immortality
Yarrow - Healing
Zinnia - Thoughts of Absent Friends
Zinnia, Pink - Lasting Affection
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