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EmailDo you know the language of flowers? As our list below shows, each flower has its own meaning. Orange blossom, for instance, symbolizes chastity, purity and loveliness, while red chrysanthemum means I love you.
Flowers have always been a big feature at weddings, too. The groom often wears a flower that appears in the bridal bouquet in his button-hole. This stems from the Medieval tradition of wearing his Lady's colors, as a declaration of his love.
One fun idea is to have a garden gathering and have each person bring a flower that has meaning to them. Or, paint tiles on a kitchen island with a flower that represents each of your loved ones.
There is a language, little known,
Lovers claim it as their own.
Its symbols smile upon the land,
Wrought by nature's wondrous hand;
And in their silent beauty speak,
Of life and joy, to those who seek
For Love Divine and sunny hours
In the language of the flowers.
–The Language of Flowers, London, 1875
Please tell us which flowers have meaning to you! If we are missing one of your favorites, please tell us which one and its meaning.
Wish to grow a flower that has meaning to you or a loved one? Click on the linked plant names for free planting and growing guides.
| Symbolic Meanings of Herbs, Flowers and Trees | |
|---|---|
| Aloe | Healing, protection, affection |
| Angelica | Inspiration |
| Arborvitae | Unchanging friendship |
| Bachelor's button | Single blessedness |
| Basil | Good wishes |
| Bay | Glory |
| Black-eyed Susan | Justice |
| Carnation | Alas for my poor heart |
| Chamomile | Patience |
| Chives | Usefulness |
| Chrysanthemum | Cheerfulness |
| Clover, white | Think of me |
| Coriander | Hidden worth |
| Cumin | Fidelity |
| Crocus, spring | Youthful gladness |
| Daffodil | Regard |
| Daisy | Innocence, hope |
| Dill | Powerful against evil |
| Edelweiss | Courage, devotion |
| Fennel | Flattery |
| Fern | Sincerity |
| Forget-me-not | Forget-me-not |
| Geranium, oak-leaved | True friendship |
| Goldenrod | Encouragement |
| Heliotrope | Eternal love |
| Holly | Hope |
| Hollyhock | Ambition |
| Honeysuckle | Bonds of love |
| Horehound | Health |
| Hyacinth | Constancy of love, fertility |
| Hyssop | Sacrifice, cleanliness |
| Iris | A message |
| Ivy | Friendship, continuity |
| Jasmine, white | Sweet love |
| Lady's-mantle | Comforting |
| Lavender | Devotion, virtue |
| Lemon balm | Sympathy |
| Lilac | Joy of youth |
| Lily-of-the-valley | Sweetness |
| Marjoram | Joy and happiness |
| Mint | Virtue |
| Morning glory | Affection |
| Myrtle | The emblem of marriage, true love |
| Nasturtium | Patriotism |
| Oak | Strength |
| Oregano | Substance |
| Pansy | Thoughts |
| Parsley | Festivity |
| Pine | Humility |
| Poppy, red | Consolation |
| Rose, red | Love, desire |
| Rosemary | Remembrance |
| Rue | Grace, clear vision |
| Sage | Wisdom, immortality |
| Salvia, blue | I think of you |
| Salvia, red | Forever mine |
| Savory | Spice, interest |
| Sorrel | Affection |
| Southernwood | Constancy, jest |
| Sweet pea | Pleasures |
| Sweet William | Gallantry |
| Sweet woodruff | Humility |
| Tansy | Hostile thoughts |
| Tarragon | Lasting interest |
| Thyme | Courage, strength |
| Tulip, red | Declaration of love |
| Valerian | Readiness |
| Violet | Loyalty, devotion, faithfulness |
| Willow | Sadness |
| Yarrow | Everlasting love |
| Zinnia | Thoughts of absent friends |
Credit: KafeKafe
Comments
I'm looking for the symbolic
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By Barbara S. Carroll on June 12
I'm looking for the symbolic meaning of Penstemon or Beard's Tongue, Liatris or Gay feather, and Lobelia. I'm doing a memory garden and want the meanings. Thank you.
I'm looking for the meaning
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By CindyL on June 3
I'm looking for the meaning of pussy willow, can you provide that? My 2nd cousin is expecting her 1st son & she loves daisies (innocence). I was going to pair some artificial daisies with pansies (loving thoughts)& baby's breath 9festivity) as a gift tie-on, along with a card explaining the meaning of each flower, then came across some pussy willow stems that look good in the arrangement, so was trying to find the meaning before I calligraphy the card. Thanks for your help!
Your choice couldn't be more
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By Almanac Staff on June 6
Your choice couldn't be more perfect; in the language of flowers pussy willow is for motherhood.
I was wondering if there was
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By Vincenzo13 on June 1
I was wondering if there was a flower named sofia or that represents sofia if not how about wisdon? Any flower other than sage that represents wisdom. Any help would be appreciated thank you
Iris means wisdom in the
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By Almanac Staff on June 6
Iris means wisdom in the language of flowers.
What is the meaning of a blue
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By ladean Avila on May 24
What is the meaning of a blue rose? I also need purple rose??
Blue rose means mystery and
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By Almanac Staff on May 24
Blue rose means mystery and purple rose means glory in the language of flowers.
I was looking for a flower
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By cristy
I was looking for a flower that means gratitude
Camellia, bluebells, and
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By Almanac Staff on May 24
Camellia, bluebells, and yellow lily mean "gratitude" in the language of flowers.
I'm wantin 2 find symbolic
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By dixiebelle
I'm wantin 2 find symbolic meaning for Glory of the Snow(Chinodoxa). Can't find anywhere! :(
I see nothing about Heather.
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By Helga
I see nothing about Heather. Is there a meaning or tradition attached to this lovely flower, both lavender and white^
In the language of flowers,
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By Almanac Staff
In the language of flowers, purple heather means admiration & beauty; white heather means protection; and pink heather means good luck.
In the back of an old
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By db.
In the back of an old dictionary was the "rest" of the flowers and their meanings like jealousy, deceit,unfaithfulness and lies.
Thank you for this really fun
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By Kassie Ritman
Thank you for this really fun info. Im going to look thru family wedding pictures and see what went unsaid...should be fun
What about Impatiens? I have
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By JCT
What about Impatiens? I have some growing on my office window.
I agree about the Dandelions. It thrilled my heart when my young (now 22) son picked them for me.
Impatiens are a symbol of
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By Catherine Boeckmann
Impatiens are a symbol of motherly love. I believe that they were used in gardens devoted to the Virgin Mary back in medieval times.
That is the best gift a mom
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By DarkendBlueSkye
That is the best gift a mom can get I think. One that is truly from the heart. And did ya know, each color of the rose means a different thing? Red is for true love while yellow is for friendship. White is for pure love. I can't remember them all right now.
Yellow roses also signifies
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By annonomous
Yellow roses also signifies jelousy.
Something missing there, a
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By PJ ... Moderator
Something missing there,
a Bunch of Dandelions from your small child means just as much as a bouquet of Roses from your overgrown child!!
I totally agree. There is
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By Joy Peck
I totally agree. There is nothing more special than a wilted bouquet of "wild flowers" from a precious child.
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