The Language of Flowers
Florigraphy
Florigraphy is a recognised science and means the study of flower meanings. The first “Flower Dictionary” was written by Mme. Charlotte de la Tour in 1818. It was titled Le Language des Fleurs. A Victorian woman named Miss Corruthers of Inverness, was inspired by this book and wrote another book on the subject in 1879. This book has become the standard of flower symbolism.
A
Acacia
Beauty in retirement
Acorn
Nordic symbol of life and immortality
Agapanthis
Secret love
Ambrosia
“Your love is returned”
Anemone
Sincerity; forsaken
Aster
Symbol of love
Azalea
“Take care of yourself”; Chinese symbol for womanhood
B
Bachelor’s Button
Single blessedness; hope in solitude
Begonia
Beware
Bouquet of Withered Flowers
Rejected love
C
Cactus
Endurance
Calladium
Great joy and delight
Camellia
Good luck gift for a man
Carnation
Fascination; love
- Pink Carnation – “I’ll never forget you”
- Red Carnation – “My heart aches for you”
- Solid Carnation – “Yes”
- Striped Carnation – “No, I cannot be with you”; refusal
- White Carnation – Sweet and lovely; good luck gift
- Yellow Carnation – Rejection
Chrysanthemum
“You are a wonderful friend”; hope amid darkness
Crocus
Gladness
D
Daffodil
Respect; “The sun always shines when I am with you”
Dahlia
Instability, fickleness
Daisy
Loyal love; purity
E
None
F
Fern
Grace
Fleur de Lis
Flame; burning
Forget-Me-Not
True love; memories
Freesia
Trust
G
Gardenia
“You are lovely”; feminine grace
Geranium
Stupidity; folly
Gerbera Daisy
Purity
Gladiolus
“Give me a break!”; natural grace
H
Heather
Admiration
Hyacinth
“I am sorry, please forgive me”; sorrow (general)
Hydrangea
“Thank you for understanding”
I
Iris
“Your friendship means a lot to me”; compliments; wisdom; faith and hope
J
Jasmine
Good luck, productivity
Jonquil
“Love me”; sympathy
K
None
L
Lilac
Beauty
Lily (White)
Youthful innocence
- Calla Lily – Beauty
- Day Lily – Emblem for motherhood (China)
- Tiger Lily – Prosperity
Lotus
Estranged love
M
Magnolia
Nobility; dignity
Marigold
Grief
N
Narcissus
“Stay as sweet as you are”
O
Orchid
Ecstasy
- Cattleya Orchid – Maturity; charm
P
Palm Leaves
Victory; success
Pansy
Merriment; unspoken communication between lovers (from French pensee, meaning thought)
Peony
Compassion, ability to keep a secret
Petunia
“Your presence soothes me”; resentment; anger
Pine
Hope; pity
Poppy
Eternal sleep; oblivion
Primrose
“I cannot live without you”
Q
None
R
Rose
Love
- Pink Rose – Happiness
- Red Rose – Passion; love
- White Rose – Purity; innocence; love not just of the body, but of the soul
- White & Red Roses – Unity
- Yellow Rose – “I care”; friendship
- Single Rose – “I still love you”
Rosemary
Remembrance
S
Snapdragon
Strength
Stephanotis
Happiness in marriage
Sunflower
Pride; sunshine
Sweet Pea
“Goodbye and thank you for a lovely time”; departure; lasting pleasure or careless luxury
T
Tulip
Perfect lover; luck; floral emblem of Holland
- Red Tulip – Declaration of love
- Yellow Tulip – “There is sunshine in your eyes”; declaration of utter and hopeless love
U
None
V
Violet
Virtue
Viscaria
“Dance with me”
W
Wintergrass
Harmony
Wisteria
Welcome
X
None
Y
Yarrow
Healing
Z
Zinnia
Thinking (in memory) of an absent friend