The Language of Wedding Flowers
Flower Meanings for Your Wedding Flowers
As every flower lover knows that flowers have a language all their own.
In Victorian times people used them as symbols with specific meanings.
Today, since even the experts disagree on the true meanings of many flowers,
there are no longer any hard and fast rules.
Over time, different varieties have developed personal and
varied meanings for different people, representing special moments in their own lives.
So, while flowers generally convey thoughtfulness and love,
below are some of the more traditional meanings we have compiled for you from several sources.
Have fun!
Acacia--Chaste Love
Alstroemeria--Friendship, devotion
Amaryllis--Pride, splendid beauty, drama
(The principal irritant Lycorine is present in small amounts. Keep away from animals and small children)
Ambrosia--Your love is reciprocated.
Anemone--Symbolizes anticipation. On a darker note also symbolizes fading hope and a feeling of having been forsaken.
Anthurium--Hospitality, happiness and abundance
Apple Blossom--Hope, good fortune, promise
Arbutus--Devoted love
Aster--Patience, elegance, contentment
Azalea (Chinese symbol of womanhood)--Fragile, Passion
Baby’s Breath--Pure heart
Bachelor’s Button or Cornflower--Hope, devotion, love, celibacy, single blessedness
Begonia--Deep thoughts
Bellflower--Gratitude
Bells of Ireland--Good luck
Bird of Paradise--Joyfulness, magnificence, exciting and wonderful anticipation
Bittersweet--Truth
Bluebells--Constancy, Humility
Bouvardia--Enthusiasm, zest for life
Cactus--Endurance
Calla Lily--Magnificence, beauty. White symbolizes purity and innocence
Camellia (Pink)--Attraction, fascination & love
Camellia (Red)--Excellence
Camellia (White)--Perfect loveliness
Carnation (General)--Pride & beauty
Carnation (Pink)--Remembrance
Carnation (Purple)--Capriciousness
Carnation (Red)--Love, pride, admiration
Carnation (Solid Color)--Yes
Carnation (Striped)--No
Carnation (White)--Sweet & Lovely, innocence, pure love
Carnation (Yellow)--Disappointment
Cattail--Peace, prosperity
Chrysanthemum (General)--Fidelity, optimism, joy, long life
Chrysanthemum (Red)--Love
Chrysanthemum (White)--Truth
Chrysanthemum (Yellow)--Slighted love
Cornflower--See Bachelor’s Button
Crocus--Cheerfulness
Cyclamen--Modesty, shyness
Daffodil--Regard, joy, devotion, chivalry, new beginnings, eternal life. A single daffodil foretells a misfortune while a bunch of daffodils indicate joy and happiness.
Daisy--Innocence, purity, loyal love
Dandelion--Faithfulness, happiness
Delphinium--Lightness, levity
Fern--Sincerity, magic, beauty, fascination
Fir--Time
Flax--Domestic symbol
Flowering Almond--Hope
Forget-me-not--True love, remembrance
Forsythia--Anticipation
Freesia--Innocence, thoughtfulness
Fuchsia--Taste
Gardenia--Purity, joy, sweetness
Geranium--Stupidity, folly
Gerbera Daisy--Cheerfulness
Gladiola--Strength of character, faithfulness, honor
Gloxinia--Love at first sight
Heather (Lavender)--Admiration, solitude, beauty
Heather (White)--Good luck
Heliotrope--Devotion, faithfulness
Hibiscus--Delicate beauty
Holly--Domestic happiness
Honeysuckle--Devotion, generous & devoted affection, bonds of love
Hyacinth (General)--Playfulness, sporty attitude
Hyacinth (Blue)--Constancy
Hyacinth (Pink & Red)--Play
Hyacinth (Purple)--Sorrow
Hyacinth (White)--Loveliness
Hyacinth (Yellow)--Jealousy
Hydrangea--Heartfelt emotion
Iris (Fleur-de-lis, Emblem of France)--Eloquence
Iris (Blue)-Faith, hope
Iris (Purple)--Wisdom
Iris (White)--Purity
Iris (Yellow)--Passion
Ivy--Fidelity, wedded love, eternal friendship, marriage
Japonica--Loveliness
Jasmine--Amiability, joy, attachment, grace, elegance
Jonquil--Desire
Larkspur-- Laughter, levity, lightness
Lavender--Distrust
Lemon Blossom--Fidelity
Lilac (General)--Youthful innocence, confidence
Lilac (Field)--Charity
Lilac (Purple)--First love
Lilac (White)--Humility, innocence
Lily (Chinese Symbol for Mother)--Beauty, elegance, gaiety, innocence, majesty, pride, purity, virtue
Lily (Day)--Coquetry
Lily (Eucharis)--Maiden charms
Lily (Tiger)--Wealth, pride
Lily of the Valley--Sweetness, return to happiness
Magnolia--Perseverance, love of nature, nobility
Maidenhair--Discretion
Marigold--Affection, grief, desire for riches
Marjoram--Blushes
Mimosa--Sensitivity, secret love
Mint--Virtue
Mistletoe (Sacred Plant of India)--Affection, perseverance
Monkswood--Beware
Morning Glory--Affection
Moss--Maternal love
Myrtle (Hebrew Emblem of Marriage)--Love, remembrance
Narcissus--Egotism
Nasturtium--Conquest
Oleander--Caution
Orange Blossoms--Bridal festivities, chastity, eternal love, fertility, happiness, marriage, prosperity, purity, virginity, rare beauty
Orange Mock--Deceit
Orchid (Chinese Symbol for Many Children)--Exotic beauty, refinement, thoughtfulness, mature charm, proud and glorious femininity
Palm Leaves--Victory
Pansy--Think of me
Peach Blossom--Captive
Peony--Happy life, happy marriage, good health, prosperity
Peppermint--Warmth
Periwinkle--Friendship
Petunia--Resentment
Phlox--Agreement
Pine--Hope
Poppy (General)--Imagination, eternal sleep
Poppy (Red)--Pleasure
Poppy (White)--Consolation
Poppy (Yellow)--Wealth
Primrose--Dependence
Protea--Change, diversity, courage
Queen Anne’s Lace--Complexity, delicateness
Ranunculus--Radiant charm
Rose (General)--Love, friendship
Rose (Black, Dark Crimsom)--Death, farewell
Rose (Blue)--Unattainable
Rose (Bridal White, Cream)--Happy love
Rose (Coral, Salmon)--Desire, enthusiasm
Rose (Dark Pink)--Thankfulness
Rose (Green)--Prosperity, good health
Rose (Lavender)--Adoration
Rose (Mixed White and Red- Flower Symbol of England)--Unity
Rose (Orange)--Passion, energy
Rose (Peach)-- Admiration, modesty, sociability
Rose (Pink)--Grace, elegance, friendship
Rose (Red)--Romantic love, passion
Rose (White)--Purity, innocence
Rose (Yellow)--Friendship
Rosebud (General)--Beauty, youth, purity
Rosebud (Moss)--Confession of love
Rosebud (Red)--Pure, lovely
Rosebud (White)--Girlhood
Rose Leaf--Hopefulness
Sage--Wisdom, domestic virtue
Shells--Represents tides of emotions
Smilax--Loveliness
Snapdragon--Graciousness, strength
Snowdrop--Hope
Spider Flower--Elope with me
Statice--Remembrance
Stephanotis--Happiness in marriage
Stock--Lasting beauty, happy life
Sunflower--Adoration, pure thoughts, dedicated love
Sweet Basil--Good wishes
Sweet Pea--Blissful, delicate & lasting pleasures, departure
Sweet William--Gallantry
Tea Rose--Remembrance
Thyme--Activity
Tuberose--Dangerous pleasures
Tulip (Flower Emblem of Holland)-Love, perfect lover, happiness
Tulip (Red)--Love
Tulip (Variegated)--Beautiful eyes
Tulip (Yellow)--Hopeless love, sunshine
Veronica--Fidelity
Violet--Modesty, faithfulness
Violet (White)--Risk
Water Lily--Purity of heart
Willow--Forsaken
Wood Sorrel--Joy, maternal love, tenderness
Zinnia (General)--Remembrance
Zinnia (Magenta)--Lasting affection
Zinnia (Scarlet)--Constancy
Zinnia (White)--Goodness
Zinnia (Yellow)--Daily remembrance
If you know of any flowers that we missed, please let us know.