FLORIOLOGY: The Meaning of Flowers

In an earlier blog for Valentine's Day, I alluded to floriology or the meaning of flowers. Flowers have been thought to have meanings since ancient Egypt, but floriology flourished in the harems of the Renaissance’s Middle East where bouquets were constructed to carry secret messages. In the 1840s, England’s Queen Victoria popularized floriology. 400 flower dictionaries were written during her 60-year reign and children studied the subject in school. Lots of people have been contacting me asking for more information so I created the following chart with researched meanings behind our most familiar flowers. Floriology can bring an exciting and creative dimension to your gift-giving. To ensure accurate meanings, consult at least 3 online sources and be sure to tell the recipient the meaning you intend to convey. Ok, now purchase, decorate, and give flowers intentionally and knowing what you are saying! Have fun!

DEEP RED ROSE Long term, committed, monogamous passion; appropriate for established, monogamous romances

DEEP PINK ROSE You make me happy.

LIGHT PINK ROSE Devotion, elegance

WHITE ROSE You are worthy and heavenly or

I/we have a secret

DEEP PINK AND WHITE ROSE together

I love you still and always will.

RED AND WHITE ROSE together

Unity (also a symbol of England)

PURPLE ROSE respect or gratitude; perfect to express business appreciation

ORANGE ROSE Passion now (connotation is a short-term romance) or welcome

YELLOW ROSE Friendship or jealousy

RED AND YELLOW ROSES together

Congratulations

LILY You are spiritually beautiful.

ANTHURIUM or Flamingo Flower Hospitality

SNAPDRAGON You are a gracious lady or Deception is afoot.

RED ALSTROEMERIA (Peruvian lily)

We are friends.

WHITE DAISY You are gentle and innocent;

simple pleasures

LAVENDER DAISY You have a dignified, mature beauty; appropriate for older women who have aged well

PINK CARNATION I’ll never forget you; great as thank you to teachers/mentors or as farewell

RED CARNATION I am proud of you; great for graduation, promotion

PINK HEATHER Good luck!

CHRYSANTHEMUM Optimism and joy; long life; great for retirement

SUNFLOWER Warmth, adoration, happiness

RED TULIP Perfect, passionate, even reckless love

YELLOW TULIPS Cheerful thoughts; great for get well or thinking of you

WHITE TULIP Forgiveness requested and/or given

CACTUS Bravery and Endurance;

great as encouragement in difficult times

CAMELIA Excellence and endurance; great as life-long tribute

Bud = hope for a new relationship

Bloom = gratitude for established relationship