Flower Meaning

Flowers and bouquets of flowers have a special meaning of their own. Most of us know that a dozen red roses flower meaning is "Be mine." Well, did you happen to know that a red carnation means "my poor heart aches for you," or that a purple hyacinth means, "Please forgive me," or that a gladiolus means, "Give me a break?" 

Flowers meaning has been used to convey ideas, feelings and messages for centuries. The word, floriography, has been coined for giving meanings to flowers. There is a meaning to numbers of flowers, to colors of flowers, and to groups of flowers. It is a silent language that has been greatly lost through lack of use. 

In addition to the obvious choices of color and variety, the language of flowers also includes the way flowers are presented or worn. Presenting flowers upright expresses a positive meaning, but if they are presented upside down, the meaning is the opposite. If a ribbon is tied to the left of the stems of flowers, the flower meaning refers to the giver, but if the ribbon is tied to the right then the meaning refers to the recipient. Flowers can be also used to answer questions. When they are presented with the right hand, the answer is a "yes," but when presented with the left hand the answer is "no." 

Here are some selected flower meanings: 

Almond flowers - Hope 

Anemone - Forsaken 

Aster - Symbol of love 

Balm - Sympathy 

Basil - Best wishes 

Bay leaf - "I change but in death" 

Bell flower, white - Gratitude 

Bergamot - Irresistible 

Bluebell - Constancy 

Borage - Courage 

Broom - Humility 

Campanula - Gratitude 

Carnation, pink - I'll never forget you 

Carnation, red - My poor heart aches for you 

Carnation, striped - Refusal 

China rose - Beauty always new 

Chrysanthemum - Love 

Clover, four leaved - "Be mine" 

Coreopsis - Love at first sight 

Cuckoo pint - Ardor 

Daffodil - Regard 

Daisy - Innocence, new-born, "I share your sentiment" 

Fennel - Flattery 

Fern - Sincerity 

Forget-Me-Not - True love 

Furze or Gorse - Enduring affection 

French Marigold - Jealousy 

Gardenia - Ecstasy 

Gentian - Loveliness 

Geranium - "You are childish" 

Hare bell - Grief 

Heartsease - "I am always thinking of you" 

Honeysuckle - Bonds of love 

Heather - Admiration 

Hyacinth - I am sorry, Please forgive me 

Ice Plant -- "Your appearance freezes me" 

Ivy - Fidelity, friendship, marriage 

Jasmine - Grace 

Jonquil - "I hope for return of affection" 

Lavender - Luck, devotion 

Lemon Balm - Sympathy 

Lilac - First love 

Lily - Purity, modesty 

Lily of the Valley - Purity, the return of happiness 

Lily, Calla - Beauty 

Marigold - Health, grief or despair 

Marjoram - Kindness, courtesy 

Myrtle --Fidelity 

Oregano - Joy 

Orchid - Love, beauty, refinement 

Pansy - Loving thoughts 

Periwinkle - Happy memory 

Phlox - Agreement 

Poppy, red - Consolation 

Primrose - I can't live without you 

Rose, cabbage - Ambassador of love 

Rose, red - Love 

Rose, pink - Grace, beauty 

Rose, yellow - Friendship 

Rosemary - Remembrance, constancy 

Rue - Contrition 

Sage - Gratitude, domestic virtue 

Snowdrop - Hope 

Star of Bethlehem - Purity 

Sweet Pea - Departure, tender memory 

Sweet William - Gallantry 

Tuberose - Voluptuousness 

Tulip, red - My perfect lover, Reclamation of love 

Violet - Loyalty, modesty, humility 

Violet, blue - Faithfulness 

Wormwood - Grief 

Wheat - Riches of the continuation of life 

Willow, weeping - Mourning 

Wallflower - Fidelity 

Yew - Sorrow 

With the list above, you should be able to use an online florist such as FTD to send a meaningful gift of flowers or a bouquet that expresses a complex thought. You can wrap the flowers appropriately and present them in a significant manner. Then, just to be certain that your efforts are not misinterpreted, include a card that fully explains the flower meaning when sending flowers.