Meaning of flowers

Meaning of flowers - language of flowers - symbols of flowers.

ABSINTH / WORMWOOD
Separation and torment of love.

ACONITE
Poisonous words.

ADONIS
Life pleasure.

ALOE
Aloe means integrity and wisdom.

ALSTROEMERIA (Peruvian Lily)
Symbolizing friendship and devotion, the alstroemeria’s leaves grow upside down, with the leaf twisting as it grows out from the stem, so that the bottom is facing upwards – much like the twists, turns and growth of our friendships.

AMARANTH
Fidelity

AMARANTH GLOBE - Unchangeable

AMARYLLIS
Amaryllis symbolize pride, determination and radiant beauty.

AMBROSIA
Your love is reciprocated.

ANEMONE (windflower in Greek)
According to Greek mythology, the anemone sprang from Aphrodite’s tears as she mourned the death of Adonis. Thought to bring luck and protect against evil, legend has it that when the anemone closes its petals, it’s a signal that rain is approaching. Still other mythology connects the anemone to magical fairies, who were believed to sleep under the petals after they closed at sunset. Perhaps it’s because of this magical and prophetic tales that today in the language of flowers, anemones represent anticipation.

ANTHURIUM (Tail flover, Flamingo Flower, Boy Flower, Painted Tongue and Painter’s Palette)
Anthurium symbolize hospitality.

ASTER (starworts, Michaelmas daisies or Frost flowers)
In ancient times, it was thought that the perfume from their burning leaves could drive away evil serpents. Today, they’re known as a talisman of love and a symbol of patience. 20th wedding anniversary flower.

BEGONIA
"Beware! I am fanciful!"

BLUE FLOWERS
A color that is known to hold universal appeal, blue plays a significant role in many cultures’ religious rituals and ceremonies. It’s said that the Western tradition of a bride wearing something blue is tied to the color’s symbolism of faithfulness and loyalty. In its dark, regal tones, blue can express trustworthiness, confidence, intelligence and unity, which explains why it’s frequently the color of police uniforms, why the blue “power suit” is an icon of the business world and why winners of competitions receive blue ribbons. And yet, in its softer hues, blue can embody the uplifting spirit of a sunny sky or soothing ocean – perhaps explaining why so many of us choose blue flowers when we want to send a message of calming beauty, tranquility and peace.

BOUVARDIA (Pink Luck, Albatross and Royal Katty)
Bouvardia means enthusiasm.

CACTUS
Bravery and endurance.

CAMELLIA
Excellence and steadfastness.

CARNATION
Worn on Mother’s Day, Teacher’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day (in green, of course) and at weddings, this hardy, sweetly fragrant flower is also the state flower of Ohio, the January birth flower and the 1st wedding anniversary flower.
White carnations suggest pure love and good luck, light red means admiration, while dark red represents deep love and affection. Purple carnations imply capriciousness, and pink carnations carry the greatest significance, beginning with the belief that they first appeared on earth from the Virgin Mary’s tears – making them the symbol of a mother’s undying love.

CHESTNUT
Independence and injustice.

CHRYSANTHEMUM (Golden flower in Greek)
A symbol of the sun, the Japanese consider the orderly unfolding of the chrysanthemum’s petals to represent perfection, and Confucius once suggested they be used as an object of meditation. It’s said that a single petal of this celebrated flower placed at the bottom of a wine glass will encourage a long and healthy life.

CROCUS
Youthful gladness, attachment, cheerfulness.

CROWN IMPERIAL
Majesty and power.

FRESIA
Named after the German physician Friedrich Heinrich Theodor Freese, freesia – with their bell-shaped blooms and sweet, citrus scent – are among the most popular fragrant flowers. And, while in most cases the white variation of a flower is the most fragrant, in the case of freesia, the pink and red varieties are actually more highly scented. With their wiry stems and delicate blooms, it’s not surprising that one of the most popular freesia varieties is named Ballerina.
The 7th wedding anniversary flower, in the language of flowers, freesia are said to symbolize innocence and friendship.

GARDENIA
"I love you in secret"

GLADIOLUS (sword in Latin)
Symbolizing strength and moral integrity, gladioli also represent infatuation. 40th wedding anniversary flower evoke the drama of Roman gladiators.

HEATHER (cleen in Greek)
Means admiration and good luck, heather is also believed have protective powers.

HIBISCUS
Delicate beauty.

HYACINTH
Symbolizing sport or play in the language of flowers, hyacinth represent constancy, while blue hyacinth expresses sincerity.

HYDRANGEA (water jar in Greek)
Expresses the giver’s gratefulness for the recipient’s understanding. Still others suggest it represents anything that’s sincerely heartfelt. Despite this variation in flower meaning, there appears to be an overwhelming consensus that this 4th wedding anniversary flower possesses enduring grace and beauty.

IRIS (rainbow in Greek)
The February birth flower, the 25th wedding anniversary flower and the state flower of Tennessee, the iris’s three upright petals are said to symbolize faith, valor and wisdom.

IVY
Wedded love, fidelity, friendship, affection

LILAC (named after Greek nymph Syringa)
The 8th wedding anniversary flower and the state flower of New Hampshire (symbolizing the hardy character of the Granite State’s citizens), lilacs are frequently considered a harbinger of spring, with the time of their bloom signaling whether spring will be early or late. In the language of flowers, purple lilacs symbolize the first emotions of love, while white lilacs represent youthful innocence.

LILY, CALLA
Majestic beauty.

LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY
Purity, humility, sweetness.

LOTUS
Mystery and truth.

MAGNOLIA
Dignity, splendid beauty.

MIMOSA
Sensitivity.

NARCISSUS (Lent Lily, Daffodil)
Meaning of rebirth and new beginnings. Narcissus is virtually synonymous with spring. The 10th wedding anniversary flower, a gift of daffodils is said to ensure happiness. But always remember to present daffodils in a bunch – the same legends that associate this cheerful flower with good fortune warn us that when given as a single bloom, a daffodil can foretell misfortune.

ORCHID
The most highly coveted of ornamental plants, the delicate, exotic and graceful orchid means love, luxury, beauty and strength. In ancient Greece, orchids were associated with virility.
The 14th wedding anniversary flower, pink orchids convey pure affection, and the popular cattelya orchid represents mature charm.

PEONY
The traditional floral symbol of China, the state flower of Indiana, and the 12th wedding anniversary flower, peonies are known as the flower of riches and honor. With their lush, full, rounded bloom, peonies embody romance and prosperity and are regarded as an omen of good fortune and a happy marriage.

PROTEA
In the language of flowers, protea symbolizes diversity and courage.

QUEEN ANNS LACE
Legend has it that Queen Anne, the wife of King James I, was challenged by her friends to create lace as beautiful as a flower. While making the lace, she pricked her finger, and it’s said that the purple-red flower in the center of Queen Anne’s Lace represents a droplet of her blood. Also called Wild Carrot (since Queen Anne’s Lace is the wild progenitor of today’s carrot), Bishop’s Lace or Bird’s Nest (for the nest-like appearance of the bright white and rounded flower in full bloom), in the language of flowers, Queen Anne’s Lace represents sanctuary.

RANUNCULUS (Buttercup and Coyote’s Eyes)
In the language of flowers, a bouquet of ranunculus says, “I am dazzled by your charms.”

ROSE
Long a symbol of love and passion, the ancient Greeks and Romans associated roses with Aphrodite and Venus, goddesses of love. Used for hundreds of years to convey messages without words, they also represent confidentiality. In fact, the Latin expression “sub rosa” (literally, “under the rose”) means something told in secret, and in ancient Rome, a wild rose was placed on the door to a room where confidential matters were being discussed.
Each color offers a distinct meaning: red, the lover’s rose, signifies enduring passion; white, humility and innocence; yellow, expressing friendship and joy; pink, gratitude, appreciation and admiration; orange, enthusiasm and desire; white lilac and purple roses represent enchantment and love at first sight. The number of stems in a rose bouquet can also express specific sentiments.
The June birth flower and the 15th wedding anniversary flower, roses are also the national flower of the United States and the state flower of Georgia, Iowa, New York, North Dakota and the District of Columbia. And, not surprisingly, June – the month so often associated with weddings – is National Rose Month.

Rose, Bridal:              Happy Love
Rose, Carolina:          Love Is Dangerous
Rose, Christmas:        Peace and Tranquility
Rose, Coral/Orange: Enthusiasm, Desire
Rose, Dark Pink:        Thank you
Rose, Light Pink:       Admiration
Rose, Musk:               Capricious Beauty
Rose, Pale:               Friendship
Rose, Peach:            Let's get together, Closing of the deal
Rose, Pink:               Love, Grace, Gentility, You're so Lovely, Perfect Happiness, Please believe me
Rose, Pink & White: I love you still and always will
Rose, Red:                Love, Desire, Respect, Courage, Job well done
Rose, Red & Yellow: Congratulations
Rose, White:              Charm, Secrecy, Silence, You're Heavenly, Reverence, Humility, Youthfulness and Innocence
Rose, White on Red:   Unity/Flower Emblem of England
Rose, Yellow:             Infidelity, Joy, Gladness, Friendship, Jealousy, Welcome Back, Remember me
Rose, Yellow & Orange: Passionate thoughts
Rosemary:           Constancy, Fidelity and Loyalty

SNAPDRAGON (snout-shaped flower in Greek)
Legend has it that concealing a snapdragon makes a person appear fascinating and cordial, and in the language of flowers, snapdragons are said to represent both deception (perhaps tied to the notion of concealment) and graciousness.

STATICE
In the language of flowers, meaning of statice is remembrance.

STOCK
A symbol of happy life and contented existence.

SUNFLOWER
It’s said that the natives of the Inca Empire worshipped a giant sunflower, and that Incan priestesses wore large sunflower disks made of gold on their garments. Images of sunflowers were found in the temples of the Andes mountains, and Native American Indians placed bowls of sunflower seeds on the graves of their dead. The Impressionist period of art is famous for its fascination with the sunflower, and this striking flower remains today a commonly photographed and painted icon of uncommon beauty.
The 3rd wedding anniversary flower and the state flower of Kansas, sunflowers turn to follow the sun. Their open faces symbolize the sun itself, conveying warmth and happiness, adoration and longevity.

SWEET PEA
Meaning delicate or blissful pleasure in the language of flowers, this enchanting flower remains a favorite fragrant blossom.

TROPICAL FLOWERS
Meanings vary among the numerous varieties of tropical flowers. Orchids represent luxury and rare beauty, and proteas symbolize diversity and courage. Birds of paradise convey joyfulness while anthuriums send a message of hospitality. But from the sturdy kangaroo paw and tropical bromeliad to the delicate orchid, all tropical flowers share a unique quality – an uncommon, striking spirit that reflects a sense of adventure and singular brilliance.

TULIP
Originally from Persia and Turkey. Although different tulip colors carry distinct meanings - yellow tulips symbolizing cheerful thoughts, white conveying forgiveness and purple representing royalty - a Turkish legend may be responsible for the red tulip's symbolism. The story goes that a prince named Farhad was love struck by a maiden named Shirin. When Farhad learned that Shirin had been killed, he was so overcome with grief that he killed himself - riding his horse over the edge of a cliff. It's said that a scarlet tulip sprang up from each droplet of his blood, giving the red tulip the meaning "perfect love."
The 11th wedding anniversary flower. Tulip means grace and elegance.

VIOLET
Modesty and Simplicity.

VISCARIA
Will you dance with me?

WALLFLOWER
Friendship and adversity.

WATER LILY
Eloquence and persuasion.

WISTERIA
Youth and poetry.

ZINNIA
Thoughts of absent friends. Pink zinnia means lasting affection.