We often see flowers as an elegant and beautiful form of decoration and gift-giving, but did you know that flowers have deep, deep meanings behind them?
Flowers have long been seen as symbols for emotions, legends, legacies and even religious beliefs. Just as precious stones, birds, fruits and foods have come to symbolize parts of the human experience, so have flowers. This secret language is called floriography.
Flowers speaking through history
The use of flowers to communicate has its origins in eastern Asia. In Japan, the use of flower language was so prevalent that even Samurai used images of flowers on their family crest; this Japanese practice is still known as hanakotoba. Floriography is also seen in the teachings of Buddhism, where flowers often act as symbols of enlightenment, wisdom and diving teaching.
However, flower language has also evolved over time and geography. In the Hindu religion, for example, the marigold has become an intrinsic feature of funerals as it symbolizes grief and mourning. The marigold is native to Central America, however, and was only introduced to India three centuries ago; now it is one of the most common symbols in Hinduism. In the West, marigolds are seen as symbols of joy and optimism.
As floriography made its way to Europe, people became fascinated with the many meanings behind flowers, especially as world exploration was hitting an all-time-high in the 18th-century. New and exotic flowers were pouring into Europe, and bouquets became significant forms of communication in high society (and in superstitious circles).
As they say, a bouquet speaks a thousand words, right?
The secret language of flowers today
The meaning behind flowers change as societies change and symbolism evolves. Right now, though, these are the meanings behind some of the more common flowers we see and use today.
Amaranth
Faith, immortality, unending love
Anemone
Go away, brevity
Essentially, “go away, and I mean it.” The ultimate conversation-ender.
Baby’s breath
Purity of heart, innocence
This delicate small flower is popular in wedding decorations and baby showers, both because of its meaning and the sturdiness of the wispy plants.
Bluebell
Humility
Cactus
Endurance, heart burning with love
The plant may be spiky, but the flower signifies a strength and devotion that only true love can convey.
Carnation
Yellow—you have disappointed me
Striped—no, but I wish I could be with you
Pink—I’ll never forget you, woman’s love
White—woman’s good luck, purity, innocence
Cherry blossom
Single—education
Double—false hopes
Clover
General—fertility
Four leaves—be mine, luck
Because the four-leaf clover is such a special and rare find, what better way to show someone that you care than by gifting them this special leaf?
Daffodil
Unrequited love, you’re the only one
Daisy
Loyal love, innocence, respect, beauty
The daisy’s name derives from the words “day’s eye,” as the flower opens with the sunrise and closes with the sunset.
Dead leaves
Sadness
Although this plant fits perfectly with its meaning, giving someone a bunch of dead leaves with a “thinking of you” card might not be one-hundred percent well-received. Maybe stick to pretty flowers instead.
Flowering dogwood
Am I indifferent to you?
This is, essentially, the 17th-century passive-aggressive way of saying “it’s like you don’t even care about me.” Nowadays we just get the silent treatment or ghosted over text.
Garlic
Courage, strength, get well, ward off illness
Garlic has historically been used as an antiseptic and as a talisman to ward off infections (including vampires!), so consider pairing your “get well soon” card with a bunch of garlic instead of boring old flowers. It will certainly make for a memorable gift!
Geranium
Ivy—your hand for the next dance
Rose—preference
Lemon—unexpected meeting
Scarlet—consolation, melancholy, stupidity
There are many different colors of geranium, but most of them have something to do with courtship and relationships.
Hyacinth
Dedicated to Apollo, rashness, games and sports
Ancient Greeks believed that hyacinths grew in the fields of the gods. As the mythology goes, the god Apollo accidentally killed his lover Hyacinth with a discus, and that the flower sprouted from where Hyacinth’s blood fell.
Jasmine
Admirability
Lavender
Love, calm, devotion, distrust
The sweet scent of lavender is a symbol of calm and peace. However, Victorian legend says that Cleopatra was killed by an asp hiding underneath a bundle of lavender, so it’s also a sign of distrust. So as long as you don’t include venomous snakes with your lavender, then you’re good to go.
Lily
Orange—hatred, dislike
White—it’s heavenly to be with you, majesty, purity
The many lily colors all have different meanings, but these two are about as far apart as they get. Who knew that such subtle differences in the same flower can produce such different meanings? This does allow for some great passive-aggressive gift-giving, though!
Pansy
Merriment, you occupy my thoughts
Parsley
Useful knowledge
Forget giving your teacher an apple as a gift… present your professor with a bundle of fresh, flowering parsley to show your appreciation for their knowledge!
Rose
Pink— perfect happiness, secret love, sweetness
Red— love, respect, beauty
Dark crimson—mourning
Peach—immortality
White, dried—death is preferable to loss of virtue
Yellow—friendship, jealousy, joy
One yellow and 11 red—passion
White and red combination—England
Green—I am from Mars
Arguably the most popular flower to present as gifts in modern-day society, the rose comes in all shapes, colors, sizes and species. These colors here represent just a few of the many kinds of flowers, but probably the most popular.
And, in other news, my new favorite flower is the green rose. Literally, what on earth?
Spider flower
Elope with me
Imagine receiving a bouquet of spider flowers from your partner as part of the ultimate elopement strategy. Absolutely legendary!
Sunflower
Dwarf—adoration
Tall—false riches, pride
Next time you take those artsy sunflower pictures, make sure they’re with the shorter ones. You’re welcome.
Yarrow
Cure for heartache
Next time you buy flowers for your friends and family, consider adding an extra touch of thoughtfulness to your bouquet by using these floriography concepts!
Have fun!
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Featured photo courtesy Pixabay/pixel2013
Colleen Ford is a South African who now lives on Oahu in Hawai'i. She loves to travel, camp, spearfish and hike. She's also part of a super cool canoe club and is pretty decent at it. Colleen enjoys Star Wars and also not being cold ever.
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