Flower Meaning

Flower Meanings

What does the flower mean?

One frequent asked question is about the color of the flower and its meaning. Everyone has a different interpretation and one should always keep in mind that it's the thought that is the most important when sending flowers. Here below are some of the more traditional meanings of specific flowers. Please note that not all places around the world have the same interpretation. For example, white might mean pure and elegant to Americans but for chinese, white is used for funerals. So please make this a consideration when you send flowers, especially to another culture!

ACACIA - Concealed Love, Beauty in Retirement, Chaste Love

AMBROSIA - Your Love is Reciprocated

AMARYLLIS - Pride, Pastoral Poetry

ANEMONE - Forsaken

ARBUTUS - Thee Only Do I Love

ASTER - Symbol of Love, Daintiness

AZALEA - Take Care of Yourself for Me, Temperance, Fragile Passion, Chinese Symbol of Womanhood

BACHELOR BUTTON - Single Blessedness

BEGONIA - Beware

BELLS OF IRELAND - Good Luck

BITTERSWEET - Truth

BLUEBELL - Humility

CACTUS - Endurance

CAMELLIA (PINK) - Longing for you

CAMELLIA (RED) - You're a Flame in My Heart

CAMELLIA (WHITE) - You're Adorable

CARNATION (GENERAL) - Fascination, Woman Love

CARNATION (PINK) - I'll Never Forget You

CARNATION (RED) - My Heart Aches For You, Admiration

CARNATION (PURPLE) - Capriciousness

CARNATION (SOLID COLOR) - Yes

CARNATION (STRIPED) - No, Refusal, Sorry I Can't Be With You, Wish I Could Be With You

CARNATION (WHITE) - Sweet and Lovely, Innocence, Pure Love, Woman's Good Luck Gift

CARNATION (YELLOW) - You Have Disappointed Me, Rejection

CATTAIL - Peace, Prosperity

CHRYSANTHEMUM (GENERAL) - You're a Wonderful Friend, Cheerfulness and Rest.

CHRYSANTHEMUM (WHITE) - Truth (Chinese use white chrysanthemums usually for funerals)

CHRYSANTHEMUM (YELLOW) - Slighted Love

CROCUS - Cheerfulness

CYCLAMEN - Resignation and Good-bye

DAFFODIL - Regard, Unrequited Love, You're the Only One, The Sun is Always Shining when I'm with You

DAISY - Innocence, Loyal Love, I'll Never Tell, Purity

DANDELION - Faithfulness, Happiness

FERN - Magic, Fascination, Confidence and Shelter

FIR - Time

FLAX - Domestic Symbol

FORGET-ME-NOT - True Love, Memories

FORSYTHIA - Anticipation

GARDENIA - You're Lovely, Secret Love

GERANIUM - Stupidity, Folly

GLADIOLI - Give Me a Break, I'm Really Sincere, Flower of the Gladiators

GLOXINIA - Love at First Sight

HEATHER (LAVENDER) - Admiration, Solitude

HEATHER (WHITE) - Protection, Wishes Will Come True

HOLLY - Defense, Domestic Happiness

HYACINTH (GENERAL) - Games and Sports, Rashness, Flower Dedicated to Apollo

HYACINTH (BLUE) - Constancy

HYACINTH (PURPLE) - I am Sorry, Please Forgive Me, Sorrow

HYACINTH (RED OR PINK) - Play

HYACINTH (WHITE) - Loveliness, I'll Pray for You

HYACINTH (YELLOW) - Jealousy

HYDRANGEA - Thank You for Understanding, Frigidity, Heartlessness

IRIS - Fleur-de-lis, Emblem of France, Your Friendship Means so Much to Me, Faith, Hope, Wisdom and Valor, My Compliments

IVY - Wedded Love, Fidelity, Friendship, Affection

JONQUIL - Love Me, Affection Returned, Desire, Sympathy, Desire for Affection Returned

LARKSPUR (PINK) - Fickleness

LILY (WHITE) - Virginity, Purity, Majesty, It's Heavenly to be with You

LILY (YELLOW) - I'm Walking on Air, False and Gay

LILY (CALLA) - Beauty

LILY (DAY) - Coquetry, Chinese Emblem for Mother

LILY (EUCHARIS) - Maiden Charms

LILY (TIGER) - Wealth, Pride

LILY OF THE VALLEY - Sweetness, Tears of the Virgin Mary, Return to Happiness, Humility, You've Made My Life Complete

MAGNOLIA - Nobility

MARIGOLD - Cruelty, Grief, Jealousy

MISTLETOE - Kiss me, Affection, To Surmount Difficulties, Sacred Plant of India

MONKSHOOD - Beware, A Deadly Foe is Near

MOSS - Maternal Love, Charity

MYRTLE - Love, Hebrew Emblem of Marriage

NARCISSUS - Egotism, Formality, Stay as Sweet as You Are

NASTURTIUM - Conquest, Victory in Battle

OLEANDER - Caution

ORANGE BLOSSOM - Innocence, Eternal Love, Marriage and Fruitfulness

ORANGE MOCK - Deceit

ORCHID - Love, Beauty, Refinement, Beautiful Lady, Chinese Symbol for Many Children

ORCHID (CATTLEYA) - Mature Charm

PALM LEAVES - Victory and Success

PEONY - Shame, Happy Life, Happy Marriage

PETUNIA - Resentment, Anger, Your Presence Sooths Me

PINE - Hope, Pity

POPPY (GENERAL) - Eternal Sleep, Oblivion, Imagination

POPPY (RED) - Pleasure

POPPY (WHITE) - Consolation

POPPY (YELLOW) - Wealth, Success

PRIMROSE - I Can't Live Without You

PRIMROSE (EVENING) - Inconstancy

ROSE (BRIDAL) - Happy Love

ROSE (DARK CRIMSON) - Mourning

ROSE (HIBISCUS) - Delicate Beauty

ROSE (LEAF) - You May Hope

ROSE (PINK) - Perfect Happiness, Please Believe Me

ROSE (RED) - Love, I Love You

ROSE (TEA) - I'll Remember Always

ROSE (THORNLESS) - Love at First Sight

ROSE (WHITE) - Innocence and Purity, I am Worthy of You, You're Heavenly, Secrecy and Silence

ROSE (WHITE AND RED MIXED) - Unity, Flower Emblem of England

ROSE (WHITE-DRIED) - Death is Preferable to Loss of Virtue

ROSE (YELLOW) - Decrease of Love, Jealousy, Try to Care

ROSEBUD - Beauty and Youth, A Heart Innocent of Love

ROSEBUD (RED) - Pure and Lovely

ROSEBUD (WHITE) - Girlhood

ROSEBUD (MOSS) - Confessions of Love

ROSES (Bouquet of Mature Blooms) - Gratitude

ROSES (Single Full Bloom) - I Love You, I Still Love You

SMILAX - Loveliness

SNAPDRAGON - Deception, Gracious Lady

SPIDER FLOWER - Elope with Me

STEPHANOTIS - Happiness in Marriage, Desire to Travel

STOCK - Bonds of Affection, Promptness, You'll Always Be Beautiful to Me

SWEETPEA - Good-bye, Departure, Blissful Pleasure, Thank You for a Lovely Time

TULIP (GENERAL) - Perfect Lover, Frame, Flower Emblem of Holland

TULIP (RED) - Believe Me, Declaration of Love

TULIP (VARIEGATED) - Beautiful Eyes

TULIP (YELLOW) - There's Sunshine in Your Smile

VIOLET - Modesty

VIOLET (BLUE) - Watchfulness, Faithfulness, I'll Always Be True

VIOLET (WHITE) - Let's Take a Chance

ZINNIA (MAGENTA) - Lasting Affection

ZINNIA (MIXED) - Thinking (or In Memory) of an Absent Friend

ZINNIA (SCARLET) - Constancy

ZINNIA (WHITE) - Goodness

ZINNIA (YELLOW) - Daily Remembrance

More deeper meanings

Achillea

Named after the Greek mythological character, Achilles, who used the flower to treat cuts and bruises on his wounded soldiers. War.

Agapanthus

Comes from the Greek agape, meaning love and anthos meaning flower, flower of love.

Alstroemeria

Named after the Swedish Baron, Jonas Alstomer, by his friend Carolus Linnaeus in 1753. Wealth, prosperity, fortune.

Amaryllis

Pride, splendid beauty, timidity, pastoral poetry.

Amaranth

Immortality.

Anemone

From the Greek word, anemos meaning wind. Love, lust, abandonment and daintiness.

Anigozanthus

Comes from the Greek word anisus meaning unequal and anthos meaning flower, Plant with the unusual flower.

Anthurium

Hard working, think of me.

Aster

Comes from the Greek word meaning star. Symbol of love, daintiness, after thought.

Astrantia

Astrantia is an old plant name with the origin unknown. Since the flower is star shaped, it has been assumed that the Greek word astron meaning star plays a role in the origin of the name.

Baby`s Breath

Innocence, pure of heart.

Bachelor's Button

Delicacy, hope in love, blessedness.

Bamboo

Based on Chinese tradition, the ingredients to a happy life are happiness, wealth and longevity.

Bells of Ireland

Good Luck, Luck of the Irish.

Bouvardia

Named after Louis XIII's physician, Charles Boubard. Enthusiasm.

Bupleurum

From the Greek word boupleurs meaning Oxen rib.

Calla Lily

Named for Francesco Zantedeschia. Beauty.

Camellia

Many different meanings for different colors. Red means excellence. White means adorable and lovely. Pink means I long for your touch. Blue means you are the flame in my heart.

Carnation

Fascination, admiration, pure love, my heart yearns for you, a mother's love.

Cosmos

Comes from the Latin word kosmos meaning beautiful.

Daffodil

Based on the Greek mythology character, Narcissus, who was known to be so arrogant that when he looked into a mirror he fell in love with his reflection. He was later said to have been turned into the flower. Chivalry, respect, you are my only one, the sun shines when I'm with you, unrequited love.

Dahlias

Named for the Swedish botanist Dr. Anders Dahl. Dignity, elegance, good taste, instability.

Delphinium

Comes from the Greek word, delphis meaning dolphin. Flight of fancy, ardent attachment, agility.

Dianthus

Comes from the Greek words Dios meaning god and Anthos meaning flower.

English Lavender

Comes from the Latin word lavare meaning to wash.

Equisetum

Comes from the Latin word equis meaning horse and seta meaning bristle.

Eucalyptus

Comes from the Greek word eu meaning well and kalypto to cover.

Forget-me-not

Faithful love, undying love, do not forget, memories.

Freesia

Named after a German physician , Dr. Friedrich Reese. Love, calm, careful, passion, rushed.

Gardenia

Named after a Dr. Alexander Garden a physician and botanist in South Carolina. Secret love, lovely.

Gerbera Daisy

Named for a German naturalist Traugott Gerber. Purity and strength.

Ginger

Diversity, unlimited wealth.

Gladiolus

Gladiolus is Latin for sword. Graceful, strong sense of character.

Godetia

Named for Captain William Clark. Pleasing.

Golden Rod

Comes from the Latin word solido which means to make whole or strengthen.

Golden Craspedia

Edged and Frigid.

Heather

Your wishes will come true, admiration for another.

Heliconia

Great returns.

Hyacinth

Named for the Greek mythology character, Hyakinthos, who was loved by the god of the sun, Apollo. Jealousy, on part of the god of the west wind, injured Hyakinthos causing blood to be shed. From the blood, the flower grew and Apollo named it for Hyakinthos. Consistency, please forgive me, jealousy, loveliness.

Hydrangea

Thank you for your understanding, heartlessness, arrogance, aloofness.

Iris

Named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Your friendship means the world to me, faith, hope, wisdom.

Kalanchoe

Endurence, lasting affection.

Leptospermum

Comes from the Greek words leptos meaning slender and sperma meaning seeds.

Lilac

Love or Absence of Passion.

Liatris

Enthusiasm.

Lily

Most colors have different meanings. Orange means hatred. Yellow means false or gay and walking on air. White means purity, virginity, majesty.

Lily of the Valley

Sweetness, you complete my life, return of happiness.

Limonium

Comes from the Greek word leumon which means meadow. Sympathy, remembrance, lasting beauty.

Lisianthus

Comes from the Greek word lysis meaning dissolution and anthos meaning flower.

Matsumoto Asters

Comes from the Latin word meaning star.

Narcissus

Comes from the Greek word Narcissus meaning numbness. Self-esteem and vanity.

Nerine

Named for the Nereids in Greek mythology. The nereids were sea nymphs and daughters of the sea god, Nereus.

Orchid

Comes from the Greek work orchis meaning testicle. Love, beauty, refinement.

Ornithogalum

Comes from the Greek word ornis meaning bird and gala meaning milk. Named for the star of Bethlehem that appeared in the biblical account of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Peonies

Happy marriage, prosperity. in Hong Kong, the word for peony is sho yu meaning most beautiful.

Phlox

Our souls are united. Means flame in Latin.

Pittosporum

Comes from the Greek word pitt meaning pitch seed.

Platycodon

Named balloon flower because buds look like inflated balloons ready to burst.

Poppy

Remembrance, wealth, pleasure, imagination, eternal sleep.

Pincushion Protea

Comes from the Greek God, Proteus who was known to be able to change into different shapes.

King Protea

Comes from the Greek god, Proteus who was known to be able to change into different shapes.

Queen Anne's Lace

Haven, self-reliance.

Ranunculus

Comes from the Latin word ranunculus meaning little frog. You are in attractions.

Salal

Zest.

Salvia

Comes from the Latin word salvia which means to heal.

Sandersonia

Named for John Sanderson, who discovered the plant in 1851 in South Africa.

Snapdragon

Comes from the Greek word anti meaning like and rhin meaning nose. Gracious lady, presumption, graciousness.

Solidaster

Solid aster is named for its parents, Aster and solidago (golden rod).

Stephanotis

Comes from the Greek words stephanos meaning crown and otos meaning ear, a crown of ears. Luck, prosperity, wedding.

Stock

You will always be beautiful to me, lasting beauty, promptness.

Sweet pea

Delicate pleasures.

Strawflower

Comes from the Greek words helisso meaning to turn around and chyrsos meaning gold. Never ending remembrance.

Scabiosa

Comes from the Greek word scabies meaning to itch.

Sunflower

Comes from the Greek word helios meaning sun and anthos meaning flowers. Adoration, pride, sunshine.

Trachelium

Comes from the Greek word meaning rough throat because of the medicinal uses to treat neck and throat pain. Neglected beauty.

Tuberose

Comes from the Greek word polis meaning white and anthos meaning flower. Voluptuousness.

Tulip

Like the rose, colors of tulips have different meanings. Red means declaration of love, believe me. Yellow means hopeless love, sunshine in your smile. General means perfect lover, frame, beautiful eyes.

Veronica

The origin of the name is disputed. It is unknown whether it was honoring St. Veronica or the markings of the same species of the flower resembled the markings on her sacred handkerchief she handed to Christ while he was carrying the Cross.

African Corn Lily

Comes from the Greek work Ixia meaning bird lime because of its sugary sticky sap.

Waxflower

Named Geraldaton wax after the town in Australia where the flower originated. Happiness in Marriage.

Zinnia

Like the rose, Zinnias color represents different meanings such as red means constancy. White means goodness. Yellow means daily remembrance. Mixed means in memory of a dear friend. General means thoughts of an absent friend. Pink means lasting affection.

Birds of Paradise

Named for King George III's wife, Charlotte of Macklenberg-Streliz, who was crowned Queen of England in 1761. Freedom, Good Perspective.

Chrysanthemum

Named by Carolis Linnaeus in the 17th Century. Cheerfulness, you're a wonderful friend, rest, loveliness, optimisim, abundance, wealth. Red means love. Yellow means slighted love and white means truth.

Daisy

Violet

Named for Baron Walter Von Saint Paul Illaire who discovered the plant in Tanzania in 1892. Modesty, faithfulness, virtue.

Rose

All roses are symbolic for love, however each color has a separate meaning. Red means love, respect, courage. Pink means grace, perfect happiness. Dark pink means gratitude. Light pink means admiration, sympathy. White means innocence, purity, secrecy, I'm worthy of you, you're heavenly, humility. Yellow means undying lover, platonic love, friendship. Orange means passion, desire. Blue means extraordinary, mystery. Red and White. means unity.

Spray Rose