Content
Language of Flowers
The Victorians used flowers as a symbol to express their feelings.
All flowers have a meaning, though different books give conflicting meanings. Recently I have read The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. She has done a lot of research for her book and found the same difficulties with discrepancies of the definitions. Ms. Diffenbaugh, using many floral dictionaries, came up with the definitions that best fit the science of each flower and/or the meanings that occurred most often in the dictionaries. I have updated my list of meanings.
A
Abutilon - Meditation
Acacia - Secret love
Acanthis – Secret love
Acorn - Nordic symbol of life and immortality
Agapanthus – Love letter
Allium – Prosperity
Allspice - Compassion
Almond Blossoms – Indiscretion
Aloe – Grief
Alstroemeria – Devotion
Alyssum – Worth beyond beauty
Amaranth - Immortality
Amaryllis - Pride; Timidity
Ambrosia - Love returned
Anemone – Forsaken
Angelica – Inspiration
Aniseed - Restoration of youth
Arbutis - Only love
Apple – Temptation
Apple Blossom – Preference
Aster – Patience
Azalea - fragile passion
B
Baby's Breath - Everlasting Love
Bachelor Button – Single blessedness
Basil – Hate
Bay Leaf – I change but in death
Begonia – Beware
Bellflower - Gratitude
Bells Of Ireland - Good luck
Bird Of Paradise – Magnificence
Bittersweet – Truth
Blackberry – Envy
Black-eyed Susan - Justice
Bluebell - Humility; constancy
Bougainvillea – Passion
Bouvardia – Enthusiasm
Broom - Humility
Borage - Courage
Bouquet of withered flowers - Rejected love
Burnet - A merry heart
Buttercup - Cheerfulness
C
Cabbage - Profit
Cactus – Ardent love
Calendula – Joy
Calla Lilly - Modesty
Camellia – My destiny is in your hands
Candytuft – Indifference
Canterberry Bells - Constancy
Carnation (in general) Bonds of affection; health and energy; fascination; woman love
*Pink - I'll never forget you
*Purple - Capriciousness; whimsical; changeable
*Red My heart breaks
*Solid color-Yes
*Striped- No; refusal; sorry I can't be with you; wish I could be with you
*White-Sweet and lovely; innocence; pure love; woman's good luck gift
*Yellow - Rejection; disdain
Cattail - Peace; prosperity
Celandine – Joys to come
Chamomile – Energy in adversity
Cherry Blossom – Impermanence
Chervil – Sincerity
Chestnut – Do me justice
Chicory - Frugality
Chrysanthemum (in general) - Cheerfulness; You're a wonderful friend
* Red - I love
* White- Truth
* Yellow-Slighted love
Cinquefoil – Beloved daughter
Clematis – Poverty
Clove – I have loved you and you have not known it
Cockscomb – Affectation
Columbine - Desertion
Coreopsis - Always cheerful
Coriander – Hidden worth
Corn – Riches
Cosmos – Joy in love and life
Cowslip – Pensiveness
Crab Apple Blossoms – Ill-tempered
Cranberry – Cure for heartache
Crocus – Youthful gladness
Current – Thy frown will kill me
Cyclamen - Resignation and goodbye
Clover Good luck
Cypress - Mourning
D
Daffodil – New beginnings
Dahlia – Dignity
Daisy – Innocence
Daisy Gerbera - Cheerfulness
Dandelion – Rustic oracle
Daphne – I would not have your otherwise
Daylily – Coquetry
Delphinium – Levity
Dianthus – Make hast
Dittany – Childbirth
Dogwood – Love undiminished by adversity
Dragon Plant – You are near a snare
E
Edelweiss – Noble courage
Elder – Compassion
Eucalyptus - Protection
Euphorbia – Persistence
Evening Primrose – Inconstancy
Everlasting Pea – Lasting pleasure
F
Fennel - Strength
Fern – Sincerity
Forget-Me-Not - True love
Fern (Magic) - Fascination; confidence and shelter
Fern (Maidenhair) - Secrecy
Feverfew – Warmth
Fig - Argument
Fir - Time
Flax – I feel your kindness
Forget-me-not – Forget me not
Forsythia - Anticipation
Foxglove – Insincerity
Freesia – Lasting friendship
Fuchsia – Humble love
G
Gardenia - Refinement
Garland of roses - Reward of virtue
Garlic - Courage; strength
Gentian – Intrinsic worth
Geranuim – True friendship
*Scented – Preference
*Scarlett – Stupidity
*Wild – Steadfast piety
Ginger - Strength
Gladiolus – You pierce my heart
Goldenrod – Careful encouragement
Grass - Submission
H
Hawthorn – Hope
Hazel – Reconciliation
Heath - Solitude
Heather (lavender) - Admiration; solitude
Heather (white) - Protection; wishes will come true
Helenium – Tears
Heliotrope – Devoted affection
Hibiscus - Delicate beauty
Holly – Foresight
Hollyhock – Ambition
Honesty - Honesty
Honeysuckle – Devotion
Hyacinth
*Blue – Constancy
*Purple - I'm sorry; please forgive me; sorrow
*Red or Pink - Play
*White - Beauty
*Yellow – Jealousy
Hydrangea – Dispassion
Hyssop - Wards away evil spirits
I
Ice plant – Your looks freeze me
Impatiens - Impatience
Iris - Message
Ivy - Fidelity and friendship
Ivy - sprig of white tendrils - Anxious to please; affection
J
Jacob’s Ladder – Come down
Jasmine (Carolina) - Separation
Jasmine (Indian) - Attachment
Jasmine (White) - Amiability
Jonquil - Desire
Juniper - Protection
L
Laburnum – Pensive beauty
Lady’s Slipper – Capricious beauty
Lantana – Rigor
Larch - Audacity
Larkspur – Lightness
Laurel – Glory and success
Lemon - Zest
Lemon Balm - Brings love
Lemon Blossom - Discretion
Lemon verbena - Attracts the opposite sex
Lettuce – Coldheartedness
Liatrus – I will try again
Lichen – Dejection
Lilac – First emotions of love
Lily - Majesty
*Calia) - Beauty
*Day - Coquetry
*Eucharis- Maiden charms
*Orange- Hatred
*Tiger - Wealth; pride
*White - Virginity; purity; majesty; it's heavenly to be with you
*Yellow - I'm walking on air; false and gay
Lily of the valley - Return to happiness
Linden Tree – Conjugal love
Lisianthus – Appreciation
Lobelia – Malevolence
Lotus – Purity
Love-in-a-mist – Perplexity
Love-lies-bleeding – Hopeless but not helpless
Lungwort – You are my life
Lupine - Imagination
M
Magnolia - Dignity
Marigold – Grief
Marjoram – Blushes
Marsh Marigold – Desire for riches
Meadow Saffron – My best days are past
Meadowsweet – Uselessness
Michaelmas Daisy – Farewell
Mignonette - Your qualities surpass your charms
Mimosa - Sensitivity
Mint - Protection from illness; warmth of feeling Marjoram (sweet) - Joy and happiness
Mistletoe – I surmount all obstacles
Mock Orange - Counterfeit
Monkshood – Chivalry
Morning Glory - Coquetry
Moss - Maternal love
Mullein – Take courage
Mustard – I am hurt
Myrtle - Love
N
Narcissus – Self love
Nasturtium – Impetuous love
O
Oats – The witching soul of music
Oleander – Beware
Olive - Peace
Orange - Generosity
Orange Blossom – Your purity equals your loveliness
Orange Mock - Deceit
Orchid – Refined beauty
Oregano - Joy
P
Palm leaves - Victory and success
Pansy – Festivity
Passionflower - Faith
Peach - Your charms are unequalled
Peach Blossom – I am your captive
Pear – Affection
Pear Blossom - Comfort
Peony – Anger
Peppermint – Warmth of feeling
Periwinkle – Tender recollections
Persimmon – Bury me amid nature’s beauty
Petunia - Your presence soothes me
Phlox – Our souls are united
Pine - Hope; pity
Pineapple – You are perfect
Pink – Pure love
Plum – Keep your promises
Poinsettia – Be of good cheer
Pomegranate – Foolishness
Pomegranate Blossoms – Mature elegance
Poplar (black) - Courage
Poppy (general) – Fantastic extravagance
*Red -Pleasure; consolation
*White - Consolation; sleep
* Yellow - Wealth; success
Potato – Benevolence
Potato Vine – You are delicious
Prickly Pear - Satire
Primrose - Confidence
Primrose(evening) - Inconstancy
Protea – Courage
Purple Coneflower – Strength and health
Q
Queen Anne’s Lace – Fantasy
Quince - Temptation
R
Ranunculus – You are radiant with charms
Raspberry – Remorse
Redbud – Betrayal
Rhododendron – Beware
Rhubarb - Advise
Rose (general) - Love ; I love you
*Red - Love
*White – A heart unacquainted with love
*Pink - Grace
*Yellow - Infidelity
*Black -Death
*Red & White - Together; unity
*Thornless - Love at first sight
*Single, full bloom - I love you; I still love you
Rose bud - Beauty and youth ; a heart innocent of love
*Red - Pure and lovely
*White - Girlhood
*Moss - Confessions of love
Roses(Bouquet of full bloom) – Gratitude
Roses( Garland or crown of) - Beware of virtue; reward of merit; crown ; symbol of superior merit
Roses ( musk cluster) – Charming
Rose(tea) - I'll always remember
Rose(cabbage) - Ambassador of love
Rose(Christmas) - Tranquilize my anxiety; anxiety
Rose(damask) - Brilliant complexion
Rose(dark crimson) – Mourning
Rose(hibiscus) - Delicate beauty
Rose leaf - You may hope
Rosemary - Remembrance
S
Saffron – Beware of excess
Sage - Long life & good health
Saint John’s Wort - Superstition
Salvia -(blue) I think of you
Saxifrage – Affection
Scabiosa – Unfortunate love
Scarlett Pimpernel – Change
Smilax - Loveliness
Snapdragon – Presumption
Snowdrop – Consolation & hope
Sorrel – Parental affection
Speedwell – Fidelity
Spirea – Victory
Star of Bethlehem – Purity
Starwort - Welcome
Stephanotis - Happiness in marriage
Stock – You will always be beautiful to me
Stonecrop - Tranquility
Strawberry - Perfection
Sunflower – False riches
Sweetpea – Delicate pleasures
Sweet William - Gallantry
T
Tansy – I declare war against you
Thistle – Misanthropy
Thrift - Sympathy
Thyme – Activity
Trachelium – Neglected beauty
Trillium – Modest beauty
Trumpet Vine – Fame
Tuberose – Dangerous pleasure
Tulip(general) - Fame, charity; perfect lover
*Red - Believe me; declaration of love
*Varegated - Beautiful eyes
*Yellow - Hopeless love
Turnip - Charity
V
Verbena – Pray for me
Vetch – I cling to thee
Violet - Modesty; calms tempers; induces sleep
*Blue - Watchfulness; faithfulness; I'll always be true
*White - Let's take a chance on happiness
Viscaria - Will you dance with me?
W
Wallflower – Fidelity in adversity
Water Lily – Purity of heart
Waxflower – Susceptibility
Wheat – Prosperity
White Aster – Patience
Willow Herb – Pretention
Winter Cherry – Deception
Witch Hazel – A spell
Woodruff - Sweet humility
Y
Yarrow – Cure for a broken heart
Z
Zinnia – I mourn your absence
*Magenta - Lasting affection
*Mixed - Thinking of an absent friend
*Scarlet - Constancy
* Zinnia(white) - Goodness
* Zinnia(yellow) - Daily remembrance
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