Flowers in everyday life
In modern times, people have sought ways to cultivate, buy, wear, or just be around flowers and blooming plants, partly because of their agreeable smell. Around the world, florists sell flowers for a wide range of events and functions that, cumulatively, encompass one's lifetime:
Flowers as symbols
Daisies are a symbol of innocence.
Gentle and lovely, flowers share their beauty with us and bring us a touch of eternal things. Each variety of flower has its own special quality and meaning. By establishing an inner contact with the flower, this meaning can be known. Many flowers have important symbolic meanings in Western culture. The practice of assigning meanings to flowers is known as floriography. Some of the more common examples include:
Red roses are given as a symbol of love, beauty, and passion.
Poppies are a symbol of consolation in time of death. In the UK, Australia and Canada, red poppies are worn to commemorate soldiers who have died in times of war.
Irises/Lily are used in burials as a symbol referring to "resurrection/life". It is also associated with stars (sun) and its petals blooming/shining.
Flowers speak to us when we know how to listen to them. It is a subtle and fragrant language. The carrying of flowers by the bride goes back to ancient times when it was believed that strong smelling herbs and spices would ward off and drive away evil spirits, bad luck and ill health. During Roman times the bride and groom wore floral garlands signifying new life and hope for fertility.
During Victorian times, flowers took on an additional significance as lovers would send messages to each other using different flowers, each with its own symbolic meaning. These associations were soon adopted for the bridal bouquet and are still used today by many brides.
The most popular flowers with their traditional meanings are:
Almond blossom - Hope
Apple blossom - Good fortune and better things to come
Barberry - Bad temper
Burdock - Touch me not
Camellia - Gratitude
Carnation - Fascination and love
Chrysanthemum - red - I love you
Chrysanthemum - white - Truth
Cyclamen - Modesty and shyness
Daffodil - Regard
Daisy - Innocence
Fern - Fascination and sincerity
Flowering Almond - Hope
Forget-me-not - Remembrance and true love
Gardenia - Joy
Heather - Good luck
Hellebore - Scandal
Heliotrope - Devotion and faithfulness
Honeysuckle - Generosity
Hyacinth - Loveliness
Hydrangea - Boastfulness
Ivy - Eternal fidelity
Iris - Flame/burning love and warmth of affection
Japonica - Loveliness
Jasmine - Amiability
King's Cup - I wish I were rich
Larkspur - Fickleness
Lemon blossom - Fidelity in love
Lilac (white) - Youthful innocence
Lily - Majesty
Lily-of-the-valley - Return of happiness
Magnolia - Perseverance
Maidenhair - Discretion
Marigold - Grief
Meadow Saffron - My best days are past
Mimosa - Sensitivity
Myrtle - Love
Narcissus - Egotism
Orange blossom - Purity and virginity
Orchid - Beauty
Peach blossom - Captive
Pink - Boldness
Rose (red) - Love, happiness
Rose (yellow) - Friendship
Rose (coral) - Desire
Rose (peach) - Modesty
Rose (dark pink) - Thankfulness
Rose (pale pink) - Grace
Rose (orange) - Fascination
Rose (white) - Innocence
Rosemary - Remembrance
Snowdrop - Hope
Sweet Pea - Pleasure
Tulip - red - I love you
Tulip - white - I am worthy of you
Tulip - Love
Veronica - Fidelity
Violet - Faithfulness
Roses - Single Color Meanings
Red roses of any hue say "I love you" (Love)
Deep red roses imply unconscious beauty.
White roses signify spiritual love and purity.
Bridal white means happy love.
Yellow roses today signify joy and gladness; historically, they meant a decrease of love and infidelity (Friendship)
Coral roses imply desire
Orange say "I am fascinated and enthusiastic."
Lavender roses mean love at first sight
Light pink roses imply grace, gentility and admiration
Dark pink roses say"thank you."
Pale-colored roses signify friendship.
The Language of Flowers
Flowers may be combined and arranged so as to express even the nicest shades of sentiment. If a flower is offered "reversed", its direct signification is likewise reversed, so that the flower now means the opposite. A rosebud divested of its thorns, but retaining its leaves, conveys the sentiment, "I fear no longer; I hope." Stripped of leaves and thorns, it signifies, "There is nothing to hope or fear." A full-blown rose places over two buds, signifies "Secrecy." "Yes", is implied by touching the flower given to the lips; "No," by pinching off a petal and casting it away. "I am", is expressed by a laurel leaf twined around the bouquet; "I have", "by an ivy leaf folded together; "I offer you".
Carnations Color Messages
For the most part, carnations express love, fascination, and distinction. Light red carnations represent admiration, while dark red denote deep love and affection. White carnations indicate pure love and good luck; striped symbolize a regret that a love cannot be shared. Purple carnations indicate capriciousness.
Pink carnations have the most symbolic and historical significance. According to Christian legend, carnations first appeared on Earth as Jesus carried the Cross. The Virgin Mary shed tears at Jesus' plight, and carnations sprang up from where her tears fell. Thus the pink carnation became the symbol of a mother's undying love, and in 1907 was chosen by Ann Jarvis as the emblem of Mother's Day, now observed in the United States and Canada on the second Sunday in May.
All roses symbolize love, but certain colors of roses can take on special meanings. Opinions vary on the many meanings of roses, but here are some of the more common:
Red: Love, Respect, Courage.
Yellow: Joy, Gladness, Freedom.
Pink/Peach: Gratitude, Appreciation, Admiration or Sympathy.
White: Reverence, Purity, Secrecy.
Two Roses Joined Together: Engagement.
Red and White Roses Together: Unity.
More flower meanings there.
Red rose Love
Yellow rose Friendship
White rose Fear
Pink rose Indecision
Blue rose Uniqueness
Arrangements Reversed flower Meaning is also reversed
Rosebud with leaves but no thorns "I fear no longer; I hope."
Rosebud with neither leaves nor thorns "There is nothing to hope or fear."
Full blown rose over two buds Secrecy
Laurel leaf twined around bouquet "I am"
Ivy leaf folded together "I have"
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