Meaning of Flowers

Source: The 2009 Old Farmer's Almanac

Related Articles

PrintPrintEmailEmail
Your rating: None Average: 4.8 of 5 (25 votes)

Do 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

More Articles:

Comments

Something missing there, a

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

I totally agree. There is nothing more special than a wilted bouquet of "wild flowers" from a precious child.

That is the best gift a mom

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

Yellow roses also signifies jelousy.

What about Impatiens? I have

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

Impatiens are a symbol of motherly love. I believe that they were used in gardens devoted to the Virgin Mary back in medieval times.

Thank you for this really fun

Thank you for this really fun info. Im going to look thru family wedding pictures and see what went unsaid...should be fun

In the back of an old

In the back of an old dictionary was the "rest" of the flowers and their meanings like jealousy, deceit,unfaithfulness and lies.

I see nothing about Heather.

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,

In the language of flowers, purple heather means admiration & beauty; white heather means protection; and pink heather means good luck.

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
By submitting this form, you accept the Mollom privacy policy.