Flower Meaning

Flowers and bouquets of flowers have a special flower 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.

Flower Meaning

In addition to the obvious choices of color and variety, the language of flower meaning also includes the way flowers are presented or worn. Presenting flowers upright expresses a positive flower 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.

Power of Flowers