The Language of Flowers: What Do They Mean

We use flowers as gestures and symbols to communicate with our dear ones. Whether it’s a birthday or a funeral, or a deep love for someone, we express our emotions through flowers. Flowers have taken on a special meaning because we can send all kinds of messages with flowers. For example, blue salvia will indicate ‘I think of you’. The real flower meaning, of course, will be up to the person giving it and the one receiving it. Here’s a list of flowers and what they symbolize.

Acacia – Secret love
Ambrosia – Love returned
Amaryllis – Pride or splendid beauty
Anemone – Unfading love (on a positive note it symbolizes anticipation)

Aster – Love and daintiness
Azalea – Fragile passion (it’s also a Chinese symbol of womanhood)

Anthurium – Hospitality (indicates happiness and abundance)
Aster – Patience
Blue bell – Delicacy and humility

Red carnation – Love and admiration
Pink carnation – Love of a woman
Purple carnation – Capriciousness
Yellow carnation – Disdain or rejection

White carnation – Innocence and pure love
Chrysanthemum – Fidelity and optimism, ‘You’re a wonderful friend’
Daffodil – Regard and chivalry (a single daffodil indicates misfortune and a bunch of daffodils indicates joy and happiness)
Daisy – Indicates loyal love and ‘I’ll never tell’

Gardenia – Secret love
Gerbera – Cheerfulness

Gladiolus – Strength of character, ‘I’m sincere’
Purple hyacinth – Sorrow
Yellow hyacinth – Jealousy
Hydrangea – Heartfelt emotions or gratitude, funeral flowers
Purple Iris – Wisdom

Blue Iris – Faith and hope
Yellow Iris – Passion
White lilac – Innocence and humility
Purple lilac – First love
White lily – Modesty and virginity

Orange lily – Passion
Yellow lily – Gaiety
Lotus – Mystery and truth
Marigold – Affection or grief

Marjoram – Comfort and consolation
Pansy – Thoughtful recollection
Peony – Healing, happy marriage or life
Dark pink rose – Thank you
Light pink rose – Admiration
Red rose – Love and desire
Yellow rose – Friendship, ‘Welcome back’ or ‘Remember me’
Spider flower – ‘Elope with me’
Sunflower – Homage and devotion
Sweet basil – Good luck
Tulip – Declaration of love

Violet – Modesty and simplicity
Yarrow – Healing
Zinnia – Lasting affection

References:

Katz SR, Newman RA, Lansky EP. Punica granatum: heuristic treatment for diabetes mellitus. J Med Food. 2007 Jun;10(2):213-7.
Chen HN, Hsieh CL. Effects of Sophora japonica flowers (Huaihua) on cerebral infarction. Chin Med. 2010 Sep 27;5:34.
The Flower Workshop in psychosocial rehabilitation: a pilot study - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19148821)

Published on Mar 01, 2011
Last Updated on Sep 25, 2020

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Mita Majumdar. (2020, September 25). The Language of Flowers: What Do They Mean. Medindia. Retrieved on May 18, 2022 from https://www.medindia.net/patients/lifestyleandwellness/flowers-and-what-they-mean-to-us-language.htm.
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Mita Majumdar. 2021. The Language of Flowers: What Do They Mean. Medindia, viewed May 18, 2022, https://www.medindia.net/patients/lifestyleandwellness/flowers-and-what-they-mean-to-us-language.htm.