Find Flowers by Meanings
By Kathleen Karlsen, MA
√ Updated:
March 19, 2010
The practice of creating symbolic meaning of flowers all cultural boundaries. This practice began as early as recorded history and continues to spark the imagination of mankind today.
Below is a list of over 150 of the world's best-loved flowers arranged by the thought or feeling conveyed. This list of flowers is our most extensive meanings of flowers list. Since many flowers have multiple meanings, some flowers appear in more than one category.
Some categories have full page articles elsewhere on this site. Please see:
Flower Symbols: Love
Flower Symbols: Happiness
Flower Symbols: Beauty
Flower Symbols: Negative Meanings
Find a quick reference for the meanings of your favorite flowers:
For an flower symbolism guide with photos, please see Flower Symbolism Guide. For a guide to the origin of flower names, please see Meanings of Flower Names. For information on the symbolic flowers in gardens honoring Mother Mary, see Mary Garden Flower Symbolism. For symbolism related to popular garden flowers, see Garden Flower Symbolism.
FLOWERS MEANING CHEERFULNESS
Chrysanthemum Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the chrysanthemum is abundance, wealth, cheerfulness, loyalty, innocence, optimism, truth (white), hope, rest, wonderful friendship, I love you (red), slighted love (yellow). Learn more about chrysanthemum symbolism.
Coreopsis Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of coreopsis is always cheerful. (Photo courtesy of Conrado, Wikimedia Commons)
Crocus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of crocus flowers is cheerfulness, youthful gladness and abuse not.
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FLOWERS MEANING FAITH AND FIDELITY
Bird of Paradise Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bird of paradise flowers is freedom, good perspective, faithfulness (when given from a woman to a man). More about bird of paradise symbolism.
Compass Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the compass flower is faith. (Photo courtesy of Toutíorîx, Wikimedia Commons)
Daisy Flowers Meanings
The meanings of daisy flowers are purity, innocence, loyal love, fidelity, beauty, share your feelings, patience and simplicity. Daisies were used in Mary Gardens. Learn more about Mary Gardens. Learn more about daisies symbolism here.
Dandelion Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the dandelion is love me, affection returned, desire, sympathy, faithfulness, happiness, coquetry and love's oracle. The dandelion is also a symbol of the sun and was used by Flemish and German painters to symbolize the suffering of Christ, grief and bitterness. (Photo courtesy of Pharaoh Hound, Wikimedia Commons)
Iris Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the iris is faith, wisdom, cherished friendship, hope, valor, my compliments and promise in love. Irises were used in Mary Gardens. The blade-shaped foliage denotes the sorrows which 'pierced her heart.' Read more about iris flowers.
Lemon Blossoms Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lemon blossoms is fidelity. (Photo courtesy of MatthiasKabel, Wikimedia Commons)
Lily Flowers Meanings
The meanings of lilies are chastity, virtue, fleur-de-lis, Holy Trinity, faith, wisdom, chivalry, royalty; beauty (calla), mother (China), hatred (orange), wealth, pride (tiger); sweetness, virginity, purity, majesty, it's heavenly to be with you (white); gaiety, gratitude, I'm walking on air (yellow). Learn more about lily symbolism.
Passion Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of passion flowers is faith. (Photo courtesy of Epibase, Wikimedia Commons)
Veronica Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of Veronica flowers is fidelity. (Photo courtesy of Hans Hillewaert, Wikimedia Commons)
Violet Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of violets is modesty, virtue, affection, watchfulness, faithfulness (blue violets), love and let's take a chance on happiness.
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FLOWERS MEANING FREEDOM
Bird of Paradise Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bird of paradise flowers is freedom, good perspective, faithfulness (when given from a woman to a man). More about bird of paradise symbolism.
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FLOWERS MEANING FRIENDSHIP
Acacia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of acacia flowers is friendship, secret love, beauty in retirement and chaste love. Yellow acacia flowers symbolize secret love. Learn about the meaning of the name acacia.
Arbor Vitae Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of arbor vitae is unchanging friendship.
Chrysanthemum Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the chrysanthemum is abundance, wealth, cheerfulness, loyalty, innocence, optimism, truth (white), hope, rest, wonderful friendship, I love you (red), slighted love (yellow). More about chrysanthemum flower symbolism. Learn about the meaning of the name chrysanthemum.
Geranium Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of geranium flowers is a true friend, gentility, stupidity, melancholy, folly and meeting. Learn more about geranium flower symbolism.
Honeysuckle Flowers Meanings
The meanings of honeysuckle flowers are bond of love, rustic beauty, friendship and I love you. Find more information about honeysuckle symbolism here.
Iris Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the iris is faith, wisdom, cherished friendship, hope, valor, my compliments and promise in love. Irises were used in Mary Gardens. The blade-shaped foliage denotes the sorrows which 'pierced her heart.' Read more about iris flowers.
Periwinkle Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of periwinkle flowers is early friendship or the pleasures of memory.
Snowdrop Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of snowdrop flowers is a friend in need and hope.
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FLOWERS MEANING GOOD HEALTH
Apple Blossom Flowers Meanings
The meaning of apple blossoms is good health, temptation, admiration, love, youth, beauty and happiness. Read more about apple blossoms.
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FLOWERS MEANING GOOD LUCK
Bells of Ireland Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of Bells of Ireland is good luck and whimsy. These flowers actually originated in western Asia and are part of the mint family.
Clover Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of clover is good luck, be mine, industry (red) and think of me (white).
Heather Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of heather is loneliness. The symbolic meaning of white heather is wishes will come true and and good fortune.
Lavender Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lavender flowers is best wishes, purity, silence and good luck.
Orange Blossom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the orange blossom is innocence, eternal love, marriage and fruitfulness. The orange blossom, which is the state flower of Florida, is traditionally associated with good fortune, and was popular in bridal bouquets and head wreaths for weddings. (Photo courtesy of Ellen Levy Finch, Wikimedia Commons)
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FLOWERS MEANING GRATITUDE
Bell Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bell flowers is gratitude.
Camellia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of camellia flowers is admiration, perfection, good luck gift for a man, gratitude, nobility of reasoning. The colors have specific symbolic meanings including innate worth, adoration, perfection and loveliness (white); longing, longing for a man (pink); and you're a flame in my heart or excellence (red). More about camellias here.
Canterbury Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of canterbury bells is gratitude.
Sweet Pea Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of sweet peas is bliss, delicate pleasure, good-bye, departure, adieu and thank you for a lovely time. Sweet peas were are often considered the floral emblem for Edwardian England. Sweet peas are the flowers most closely connected to the month of April. Read more about sweet peas.
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FLOWERS MEANING HOPE
Almond Tree Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the flowering almond tree is hope.
Anemone Flowers Meanings
Greek name derived from the word anemos, meaning "wind." In mythology, this is the name of a wind nymph, also a reference to her beauty. Learn meaning of anemone flower name.
Chrysanthemum Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the chrysanthemum is abundance, wealth, cheerfulness, loyalty, innocence, optimism, truth (white), hope, rest, wonderful friendship, I love you (red), slighted love (yellow). More about chrysanthemum flower symbolism. Learn about the meaning of the name chrysanthemum.
Iris Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the iris is faith, wisdom, cherished friendship, hope, valor, my compliments and promise in love. Irises were used in Mary Gardens. The blade-shaped foliage denotes the sorrows which 'pierced her heart.' Read more about iris flowers.
Snowdrop Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of snowdrop flowers is a friend in need and hope.
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FLOWERS MEANING HUMILITY
Bluebell Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bluebells is humility, constancy and gratitude. Read more about bluebells.
Broom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the broom flower is humility and neatness.
Buttercup Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of buttercups is humility, neatness, childishness and wealth.
Poppy Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of poppies is beauty, pleasure, magic, consolation (red), sleep (white), fertility, eternal life, wealth and success (yellow). Read more about poppy flower symbolism.
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FLOWERS MEANING IMMORTALITY & YOUTH
Amaranth Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of amaranth flowers is immortality and unfading love. Find meaning of Amaranth flower name.
Apple Blossom Flowers Meanings
The meaning of apple blossoms is good health, temptation, admiration, love, youth, beauty and happiness. Read more about apple blossoms.
Bamboo Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bamboo is longevity, flexibility, prosperity, strength and grace. In China, the straight stem symbolizes the path towards enlightenment with the segments indicating steps along the way. More info on bamboo flowers here. See bamboo photo.
Foxglove Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of foxglove flowers is stateliness and youth.The scientific name is digitalis, a reference to the presence of powerful chemicals that can heal heart conditions if taken correctly but can kill if taken in large amounts. Thus, foxglove flowers are symbolic of both healing and harm. Read more about foxgloves.
Lilac Flowers Meanings
The meanings of lilac flowers are the first emotions of love, beauty, pride, fastidiousness, youthful innocence and youth. A pale purple color is generally known as lilac.
Primrose Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of primrose flowers is youth, evening and inconstancy.
| Find Symbolic Gifts and Products
Find symbolic products and gifts in our store. Includes flowers, gift baskets, stock photography, symbolic jewelry, symbolic home decor, books on symbolism and more. New products are added every week. Find gifts based on flower symbols, animal symbols, tree symbols, sacred symbols and popular symbols. Visit the store here. |
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FLOWERS MEANING INNOCENCE
Baby's Breath Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of baby's breath flowers is purity of heart,
innocence, the breath of the Holy Spirit. See baby's breath flower photo.
Chrysanthemum Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the chrysanthemum is abundance, wealth, cheerfulness, loyalty, innocence, optimism, truth (white), hope, rest, wonderful friendship, I love you (red), slighted love (yellow). More about chrysanthemum flower symbolism. Learn about the meaning of the name chrysanthemum.
Daisy Flowers Meanings
The meanings of daisy flowers are purity, innocence, loyal love, fidelity, beauty, share your feelings, patience and simplicity. Daisies were used in Mary Gardens. Learn more about Mary Gardens. Learn more about daisies symbolism here.
Freesia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of freesia flowers is innocence and trust.
Gerbera Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the gerbera flower is innocence.
Orange Blossom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the orange blossom is innocence, eternal love, marriage and fruitfulness. The orange blossom, which is the state flower of Florida, is traditionally associated with good fortune, and was popular in bridal bouquets and head wreaths for weddings. (Photo courtesy of Ellen Levy Finch, Wikimedia Commons)
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FLOWERS MEANING JOY
Carnation Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of carnation flowers is fascination, impulsiveness, capriciousness, joy and devoted love. White carnations mean "I am still available" or disdain and refusal. Red carnations mean "my heart aches for you" or "for my poor heart". Learn more about carnation symbolism.
Gardenia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of gardenia flowers is you're lovely, secret love, purity, joy and refinement. Learn more about gardenia symbolism.
Hyacinth Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the hyacinth is games, sports, rashness, and playful joy; constancy (blue); I'm sorry, please forgive me, sorrow (purple); unobtrusive loneliness, I'll pray for you (white); and jealousy (yellow). Learn more about hyacinth symbolism.
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FLOWERS MEANING PASSION
Azalea Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of azalea flowers is temperance, fragile passion, womanhood (China) and take care of yourself for me. See azalea photo.
Roses Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of roses is love, remembrance, passion (red); purity (white); happiness (pink); infidelity (yellow); unconscious beauty, I love you. Roses are emblems of England and New York City. Read more about roses.
FLOWERS MEANING PROSPERITY
Bamboo Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bamboo is longevity, flexibility, prosperity, strength and grace. In China, the straight stem symbolizes the path towards enlightenment with the segments indicating steps along the way. More info on bamboo flowers here. See bamboo photo.
Buttercup Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of buttercups is humility, neatness, childishness and wealth.
Cattails Meanings
The symbolic meaning of cattails is peace and prosperity.
Chrysanthemum Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the chrysanthemum is abundance, wealth, cheerfulness, loyalty, innocence, optimism, truth (white), hope, rest, wonderful friendship, I love you (red), slighted love (yellow). More about chrysanthemum flower symbolism. Learn about the meaning of the name chrysanthemum.
Lunaria Flowers Meaning
The symbolic meaning of lunaria flowers is is prosperity and honesty.
Poppy Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of poppies is beauty, pleasure, magic, consolation (red), sleep (white), fertility, eternal life, wealth and success (yellow). Read more about poppy flower symbolism.
| Find Symbolic Gifts and Products
Find symbolic products and gifts in our store. Includes flowers, gift baskets, stock photography, symbolic jewelry, symbolic home decor, books on symbolism and more. New products are added every week. Find gifts based on flower symbols, animal symbols, tree symbols, sacred symbols and popular symbols. Visit the store here. |
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FLOWERS MEANING TRUTH
Bittersweet Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bittersweet flowers is truth.
FLOWERS WITH UNUSUAL MEANINGS
Aster Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of aster flowers is charming, patience, daintiness, afterthought, love of variety, elegance, memories and love. Aster comes from the Greek word meaning star. Learn about aster symbolism.
Azalea Flowers Meanings
he symbolic meaning of azalea flowers is temperance, fragile passion, womanhood (China) and take care of yourself for me. See azalea photo.
Baby's Breath Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of baby's breath flowers is purity of heart,innocence, the breath of the Holy Spirit. See baby's breath flower photo.
Bachelor Button Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bachelor button flowers is celibacy, single, blessedness, hope in love, delicacy. Learn more about bachelor button flower symbolism.
Bamboo Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bamboo is longevity, flexibility, prosperity, strength and grace. In China, the straight stem symbolizes the path towards enlightenment with the segments indicating steps along the way. More info on bamboo here. See bamboo photo.
Begonia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of begonia flowers is fanciful nature, beware and dark thoughts. Learn more about begonia symbolism.
Bells of Ireland Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of Bells of Ireland is good luck and whimsy. These flowers actually originated in western Asia and are part of the mint family.
Bird of Paradise Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bird of paradise flowers is freedom, good perspective, faithfulness (when given from a woman to a man). More about bird of paradise symbolism.
Bluebell Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bluebells is humility, constancy and gratitude. Read more about bluebells.
Broom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the broom flower is humility and neatness.
Buttercup Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of buttercups is humility, neatness, childishness and wealth.
Cactus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of cactus flowers is endurance, warmth, my heart burns with love and maternal love. The perennial cactus grows as a tree, shrub or vine.
Camellia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of camellia flowers is admiration, perfection, good luck gift for a man, gratitude, nobility of reasoning. The colors have specific symbolic meanings including innate worth, adoration, perfection and loveliness (white); longing, longing for a man (pink); and you're a flame in my heart or excellence (red). More about camellias here.
Cardinal Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of cardinal flowers is distinction.
Carnation Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of carnation flowers is fascination, impulsiveness, capriciousness, joy and devoted love. White carnations mean "I am still available" or disdain and refusal. Red carnations mean "my heart aches for you" or "for my poor heart". Learn more about carnation symbolism.
Chamomile Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of chamomile flowers is energy in action.
Cherry Blossom Flowers Meanings
The meaning of cherry blossoms in the west is education. In China, the cherry blossom is also a symbol of feminine beauty and represents the feminine principle and love. Learn more about cherry blossom symbolism.
Christmas Rose Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the Christmas Rose is that it is purported to have flowered on Christmas Day, and is therefore associated with the infant Jesus. The Christmas Rose of Mary Gardens bears pure white or pink flowers and are sometimes known as the Lenten Rose. Read more about Mary Gardens.
Chrysanthemum Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the chrysanthemum is abundance, wealth, cheerfulness, loyalty, innocence, optimism, truth (white), hope, rest, wonderful friendship, I love you (red), slighted love (yellow). More about chrysanthemum flower symbolism. Learn about the meaning of the name chrysanthemum.
Clematis Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of clematis flowers is ingenuity.
Clover Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of clover is good luck, be mine, industry (red) and think of me (white).
Columbine Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of columbine flowers is resolved to win.
Cornflower Meanings
The symbolic meaning of cornflowers is delicacy.
Coronilla Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of coronilla flowers is success to you.
Crocus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of crocus flowers is cheerfulness, youthful gladness and abuse not.
Crown Imperial Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the crown imperial flower is majesty.
Daffodil Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of daffodil flowers is regard, unrequited love, chivalry, sunshine, respect and the sun shines when I'm with you. Learn about the meaning of the name daffodil.
Dahlia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of dahlia flowers is elegance and forever thine. The dahlia is the national flower of Mexico, its birthplace. Dahlia can also mean instability. Learn more about dahlia symbolism.
Daisy Flowers Meanings
The meanings of daisy flowers are purity, innocence, loyal love, fidelity, beauty, share your feelings, patience and simplicity. Daisies were used in Mary Gardens. Learn more about Mary Gardens. Learn more about daisies symbolism here.
Dandelion Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the dandelion is love me, affection returned, desire, sympathy, faithfulness, happiness, coquetry and love's oracle. The dandelion is also a symbol of the sun and was used by Flemish and German painters to symbolize the suffering of Christ, grief and bitterness. (Photo courtesy of Pharaoh Hound, Wikimedia Commons)
Daphene Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of daphene flowers is I desire to please.
Day Lily Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the day lily is forgetting worries. As an omen for expectant mothers who wish for baby boys, the flower means "Suited for A Boy." The Chinese also venerate the day lily as a symbol of filial devotion to one's mother. Learn more about day lilies here.
Delphinium Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the delphinium is big-hearted, fun, lightness, levity, swiftness and ardent attachment.
Diosma Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of diosma flowers is "Your simple elegance charms me."
Dragon Lily Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of dragon lily flowers is inner power.
Elder Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the elder flower is zeal.
Endine Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of endine flowers is frugality.
Fennel Meanings
The symbolic meaning of fennel is worthy of praise.
Fern Meanings
The symbolic meaning of ferns is magic, fascination, confidence, shelter, discretion, reverie and a secret bond of love. More about fern meanings.
Flora's Bell Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of Flora's Bell flowers is without pretension.
Forsythia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of forsythia flowers is anticipation.
Foxglove Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of foxglove flowers is stateliness and youth.The scientific name is digitalis, a reference to the presence of powerful chemicals that can heal heart conditions if taken correctly but can kill if taken in large amounts. Thus, foxglove flowers are symbolic of both healing and harm. Read more about foxgloves.
Fuchsia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of fuchsia flowers is confiding love and good taste (scarlet). Fuschia flowers attract hummingbirds. Learn more about fushciah flower symbolism.
Gardenia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of gardenia flowers is you're lovely, secret love, purity, joy and refinement. Learn more about gardenia symbolism.
Gentian Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of gentian flowers is virgin pride.
Geranium Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of geranium flowers is a true friend, gentility, stupidity, melancholy, folly and meeting. Learn more about geranium flower symbolism.
Gladiolus Flowers Meanings
The meanings of gladiolus flowers are preparedness, strength, splendid beauty and love at first sight. The gladiolus is named for the shape of its leaves, "gladius" or sword. Learn more about gladiolus symbolism.
Goldenrod Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of goldenrod flowers is be cautious and encouragement. (Photo courtesy of SriMesh, Wikimedia Commons)
Gooseberry
The symbolic meaning of Gooseberry is anticipation.
Goosefoot Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of Goosefoot flowers is goodness.
Gorse Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of Gorse flowers is endearing affection.
Heliotrope Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of heliotrope flowers is devotion.
Hollyhock Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of hollyhock flowers is ambition.
Holly Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the holly is defense, domestic happiness and forecast. Medieval monks called the holly the Holy Tree and believed holly would keep away evil spirits and protects their homes from lightening. In Christianity, the pointed leaves represented the crown of thorns worn by Jesus, and the red berries symbolized drops of his blood.
Hyacinth Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the hyacinth is games, sports, rashness, and playful joy; constancy (blue); I'm sorry, please forgive me, sorrow (purple); unobtrusive loneliness, I'll pray for you (white); and jealousy (yellow). Learn more about hyacinth symbolism.
Hydrangea Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of hydrangea flowers is thank you for your understanding, frigidity and heartlessness. (Photo courtesy of Joanne Bergenwall Aw, Wikimedia Commons)
Hyssop Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of hyssop flowers is cleanliness.
Iris Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the iris is faith, wisdom, cherished friendship, hope, valor, my compliments and promise in love. Irises were used in Mary Gardens. The blade-shaped foliage denotes the sorrows which 'pierced her heart.' Read more about iris flowers.
Jasmine Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the jasmine flower is amiability, attachment, sensuality, modesty, grace and elegance.
Jonquil Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of jonquil flowers is love me, affection returned, desire, sympathy, desire for a return of affection.
Juniper
The symbolic meaning of juniper is protection.
Lady's Slipper Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lady's slipper is win me and wear me.
Lady's Mantle Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of Lady's Mantle is a cloak for for the Blessed Virgin. Lady's mantle was grown in Mary Gardens. The name alchemilla ("little magical one") derives from the dew which collects on the lady's mantle. Dew is often associated with magic.
Lantana Flowers Meanings
The symbolic nature of lantana flowers is rigor.
Larkspur Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of larkspur flowers is lightness, levity, ardent attachment and fickleness (pink).
Lavender Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lavender flowers is best wishes, purity, silence and good luck.
Lily Flowers Meanings
The meanings of lilies are chastity, virtue, fleur-de-lis, Holy Trinity, faith, wisdom, chivalry, royalty; beauty (calla), mother (China), hatred (orange), wealth, pride (tiger); sweetness, virginity, purity, majesty, it's heavenly to be with you (white); gaiety, gratitude, I'm walking on air (yellow). Learn more about lily symbolism.
Lily-of-the-Valley Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lily-of-the-valley is sweetness, purity, return of happiness, you have made my life complete and humility. (Photo courtesy of Miika Silfverberg, Wikimedia Commons)
Lobelia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lobelia is distinction (scarlet).
Lotus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the lotus is estranged love and forgetfulness of the past. The lotus is the national flower of India.
Love in Mist Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of love in mist flowers is perplexity.
Lunaria Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lunaria flowers is is prosperity and honesty.
Lupine Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lupines is imagination. Read more about lupines.
Magnolia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning magnolia flowers is nobility, perseverance and love of nature. Magnolia is the official state state flower of both Mississippi and Louisiana.
Marigold Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of marigolds is indicated in the name: Mary's Gold. Marigold flowers were "golden gifts" offered to the Virgin Mary by the poor who could not afford to give actual gold. Marigolds were also used in Mary Gardens. Marigolds are symbolic of happiness, passion and creativity. Marigolds are also known as the "Herb of the Sun." Read more about marigolds.
Monkshood Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of monkshood flowers is danger is near, beware a deadly foe is near and chivalry. (Photo courtesy of Tobe Deprez, Wikimedia Commons)
Morning Glory Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the morning glory is affection. As the name implies, morning glory flowers, which are funnel-shaped, open in the morning. The flower typically lasts for a single morning and dies in the afternoon. New flowers bloom each day. Read about morning glories.
Nasturtium Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the nasturtium is victory in battle, patriotism and conquest. Nasturtium literally means "nose-twister" or "nose-tweaker".
Orchid Flowers Meanings
The meanings of orchid flowers are love, beauty, refinement, many children, fertility, thoughtfulness and mature charm. Read more about orchids.
Pansy Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the pansy is merriment, memories, loving thoughts, souvenirs and you occupy my thoughts. The pansy is also called the heartsease or Johnny Jump Up. The name pansy is derived from the French word pensée meaning "thought", and was so named because the flower resembles a human face. In August the pansy is thought to nod forward as if deep in thought.
Peach Blossoms Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of peach blossoms is "I am your captive."
Peony Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the peony is happy marriage, good life, bashfulness, ambition, determination and compassion.
Periwinkle Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of periwinkle flowers is early friendship or the pleasures of memory.
Petunia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the petunia is resentment, anger and your presence soothes me. Learn more about petunia symbolism.
Phlox Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of phlox is sweet dreams and a proposal of marriage.
Poinsettia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the poinsettia has an ancient history. The ancient Aztecs considered the poinsettia to be a symbol of purity. Today, poinsettias are the most easily recognized flower symbolic of Christmas. Read more about poinsettias.
Poppy Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of poppies is beauty, pleasure, magic, consolation (red), sleep (white), fertility, eternal life, wealth and success (yellow). Read more about poppy flower symbolism.
Primrose Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of primrose flowers is youth, evening and inconstancy. Learn about the meaning of the name primrose.
Pussy Willow Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of pussy willows is motherhood.
Ranunculus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of ranuculus is "you are radiant with charms."
Snapdragon Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of snapdragons is graciousness, presumption, and strength. The snapdragon is important as a model organism in botanical research. Its genome has been studied in detail.
Snowball Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the snowball flower is winter.
Sorrel Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of sorrel is affection.
Spider Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the spider flower is elope with me.
Star of Bethlehem Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of Star of Bethlehem Flowers is purity.
Stephanotis Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of stephanotis flowers is happiness in marriage and desire to travel. Stephanotis is popular for wedding bouquets. (Photo courtesy of Scott, Wikimedia Commons)
Straw Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of straw flowers is agreement.
Sunflower Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of sunflowers is adoration. Sunflowers turn their heads to the sun, which is the origin of their common name. Sunflowers belong to the genus helianthus, a reference to Helios, the sun god. Sunflowers are native to the Americas and are the state flower of Kansas. Learn more about sunflowers here.
Sweet Pea Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of sweet peas is bliss, delicate pleasure, good-bye, departure, adieu and thank you for a lovely time. Sweet peas were are often considered the floral emblem for Edwardian England. Sweet peas are the flowers most closely connected to the month of April. Read more about sweet peas.
Sweet William Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of sweet William flowers is gallantry.
Trumpet Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the trumpet flower is fame.
Tulip Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of tulips is fame and perfect love. The symbolic meanings also change with the color of the tulips. Red tulips mean "believe me" and are a declaration of love. Variegated tulips mean "you have beautiful eyes." Yellow tulips mean "there's sunshine in your smile." And cream colored tulips mean "I will love you forever."Read more about tulips.
Verbena Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the verbena flower is pray for me and sensibility. Verbena has longstanding use in herbalism and folk medicine, usually as a tea. Verbena is grown as a honey plant to supply bees with nectar.
Violet Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of violets is modesty, virtue, affection, watchfulness, faithfulness (blue violets), love and let's take a chance on happiness.
Viscaria Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of viscaria flowers is will you dance with me.
Water Lily Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of water lilies is purity of heart.
Wisteria Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of wisteria flowers is welcome and playful spontaneity. Learn more about wisteria.
Zinnia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meanings of zinnias are thoughts of absent friends, lasting affection, constancy, goodness and daily remembrance. Zinnias are the state flower of Indiana.
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The extensive FloristOne catalog features flowers for every occasion and an extensive network of florists that allows for same day delivery to nearly all of the United States and Canada. Send a classic gift with special meaning for a birthday, baby's birth, holiday, sympathy, graduation or other special occasion. Nothing else communicates your sentiments quite as well as flowers. See our selection of bouquets and flowers here or go directly to the FloristOne website to see all flowers available.
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Find symbolic products and gifts in our store. Includes flowers, gift baskets, stock photography, symbolic jewelry, symbolic home decor, books on symbolism and more. New products are added every week. Find gifts based on flower symbols, animal symbols, tree symbols, sacred symbols and popular symbols. Visit the store here. |
©2009 Living Arts Enterprises, LLC
RESOURCES:
Books
Jone, Julia. Country Diary of Garden Lore. NY: Summit Books, 1968.
Lehner, Ernst. Folklore and Symbolism of Flowers, Plants and Trees. NY: Tudor Publishing C., 1960.
Greenaway, Kate. Language of Flowers. 1884.
Websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.new-age.co.uk/flower-language.htm
http://www.santacruzpl.org
http://www.britannica.com
http://www.theflowerexpert.com
http://www.arthistory.suite101.com
http://www.proflowers.com
http://www.victorianbazaar.com
http://www.pioneerthinking.com
http://www.growerflowers.com
http://gardencards.biz
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