Meanings of Flowers
It is generally believed that the practice of assigning meanings to flowers began in Turkey during the seventeenth century when lovers began using floral exchanges to convey particular messages. Later, the Victorian era witnessed a rise in the popularity of this "flower language" and suitors carefully studied various dictionaries of "florography" to select the appropriate bouquets for their sweethearts. Today, with so many flower varieties to choose from, there are no "golden" rules - it's the sentiment that gives the gift its meaning... Many people assign their own personal meanings to a flower or colour that might remind them of a special event or moment in their lives.
However, we have listed a few guidelines below for those of you who may need a hand in selecting flowers best suited to your desired sentiment.
Meanings of Flowers (A-Z)
A
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Alstroemeria |
aspiring |
| Amaryllis |
dramatic |
| Anemone |
fragile |
| Apple Blossom |
promise |
| Aster |
contentment |
| Azalea |
abundance |
B
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Baby's Breath |
festivity |
| Bachelor Button |
anticipation |
| Begonia |
deep thoughts |
| Black-Eyed Susan |
encouragement |
C
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Camellia |
graciousness |
Carnation
- pink
- red
- striped
- white
- yellow
|
gratitude
flashy
refusal
remembrance
cheerful |
Chrysanthemum
- bronze
- white
- red
- yellow
|
excitement
truth
sharing
secret admirer |
| Cosmos |
peaceful |
| Crocus |
foresight |
D
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Daffodil |
chivalry |
| Delphinium |
boldness |
| Daisy |
innocence |
F
| Freesia |
spirited |
| Forget-Me-Not |
remember me forever |
G
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Gardenia |
joy |
| Geranium |
comfort |
| Ginger |
proud |
| Gladiolus |
strength of character |
H
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Heather |
solitude |
| Hibiscus |
delicate beauty |
| Holly |
domestic happiness |
| Hyacinth |
sincerity |
| Hydrangea |
perseverance |
I
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Iris |
inspiration |
| Ivy |
fidelity |
J
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Jasmine |
grace and elegance |
L
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Larkspur |
beautiful spirit |
| Lavender |
distrust |
| Lilac |
first love |
Lily
- Calla
- Casablanca
- Day
- Stargazer
|
regal
celebration
enthusiasm
ambition |
| Lisianthus |
calming |
M
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Magnolia |
dignity |
| Marigold |
desire for riches |
N
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Nasturtium |
patriotism |
O
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Orange Blossom |
fertility |
| Orchid |
delicate beauty |
P
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Pansy |
loving thoughts |
| Passion flower |
passion |
| Peony |
healing |
| Poppy |
consolation |
Q
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Queen Anne's Lace |
delicate femininity |
R
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Ranunculus |
radiant |
| Rhododendron |
beware |
Rose
- pink
- red
- red & white
- white
- yellow
|
friendship
passionate love
unity
purity
zealous |
S
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Snapdragon |
presumptuous |
| Star of Bethlehem |
hope |
| Stephanotis |
good luck |
| Statice |
success |
| Sunflower |
adoration |
| Sweetpea |
shyness |
T
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Tuberose |
pleasure |
Tulip
- pink
- purple
- red
- white
- yellow
|
caring
royalty
declaration of love
forgiveness
hopelessly in love |
V
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Violet |
faithfulness |
W
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Wisteria |
steadfast |
Y
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Yarrow |
good health |
Z
| Flower |
Meaning |
| Zinnia |
thoughts of friends |
