MEANINGS OF FLOWERS: WHAT DO YOUR FLOWERS SYMBOLIZE?
Have you ever been attracted to certain flowers and don't know why? There may be more to this than you think. Here, we explore the meaning behind flowers.
Humans grow decorative flowers almost as much as we do. With such a long and intertwined history, cultures around the world have connected a deeply rooted meaning in the flowers we choose to give to each other. Known as floriography, the language of flowers reveals the meanings and symbolism of the flowers hidden behind each flower. A picture is worth a thousand words, but a well-chosen flower can leave you speechless.
What do roses mean?
Roses are not only one of the most popular flowers, but also one of the most widely found. Edible from root to petal, roses are endowed in many forms. Roses have long been very important to the cultures in which they are found, and therefore, unsurprisingly, they have accumulated a deeper pool of symbolism than many other flowers. There are species of roses native to Asia to Europe, North America and North Africa, it is not surprising that it has found importance in so many cultures. With so much diversity in the rose family tree, a rainbow of colors emerges, each with its own subtle meaning.
The meaning behind red roses
Perhaps the flower with the best known meaning: red roses are a universal symbol of romantic love. This connection probably comes from ancient Greece, where the rose was closely linked to Aphrodite; the goddess of sexual love, fertility and passion. An ancient Greek writer, Pausanias, even suggested that the red rose acquired its color from Aphrodite's blood after it pricked itself on the flower's thorns.
Flower thorns add layered meanings; giving a long-stemmed thorny rose can show a barbed love, painful for both giver and receiver. It can also show careless love, without adequate time to ensure the safety of those involved. The thorns also gave the rose many of its meanings; from Aphrodite up to the Corinthians, where Paul gets a thorn in her side to keep him from becoming vain. Rose thorns also show balance, indulgence in the pleasures of life without blindness to risk. Many florists remove the thorns from the lower half to ensure safety, keeping this beautiful nuance to the flower.
The meaning behind white roses
In the Victorian era, a white rose was given to a partner as a gesture of apology or as a bouquet to someone close in token of condolences.
The white rose is also a joyful flower, Aphrodite's birth is said to have come with a shower of white roses, and so they are a symbol of innocence and young love. The connection to innocence and the white rose is also shown in the Christian church, with white roses closely associated with the Virgin Mary.
It is precisely this connection to purity and the Virgin Mary that led Edmund of Langley, first Duke of York to take the white rose as his emblem... though many have suggested this was simply to annoy his older brother, Duke of Lancaster John of Gaunt, whose symbol was the red rose!
The meaning behind yellow roses
The meaning of yellow roses reflects their appearance - joy and shine. They are also used to show gratitude, friendship and, by extension, gratitude for that friendship. Be careful when giving a yellow rose, however, in the Japanese language of flowers, hanakotoba, the yellow rose can represent jealousy.
The meaning behind pink roses
Pink roses have a gift for showing gratitude and admiration and are displayed to communicate confidence and security to those around you. Pink roses have taken on many of the modern meanings of rose in general; connected with femininity, warmth and grace. They often have the gift of showing gratitude for the women in their life, which makes them a popular choice for Mother's Day bouquets.
The meaning of lilies
Lilies are also represented in hanakotoba, where you must be careful when choosing the flower; an orange lily means hate and revenge, while a white lily symbolizes purity and chastity. The British interpretation contains these two extremes of emotion, with lilies being a flower of death, but representing the innocence of the soul restored after death. The lily echoes this, as it is a flower that blooms dramatically after being cut.
Orchid Symbolism
Due to the difficulty of propagation and cultivation in Victorian homes, orchids have become a symbol of luxury and opulence. Many wealthy Victorians hired collectors and explorers for the sole purpose of finding and delivering rare orchids to display in their homes. The term "Orchideliruim" was coined for this period of history, to reflect the delusional obsession for orchids in this rich circle. The desire for rare orchids was so great in this period, and the ability to properly care for them so low, that many species of orchids are still at risk of extinction.
Surprisingly, the name “Orchid” derives from the Greek word “orkhis”, which means male gonads. They were named by the ancient Greek botanist Theophrastus, who believed that plant roots looked like them. It's not quite where your mind can go, but because of this association, orchids have often been used as a symbol of virility, fertility and sexuality. Following this line of thought, they have also been used historically as a symbol of strength and power.
What do carnations mean?
Perhaps because of their excellent propensity for being a buttonhole flower, carnations were richly used in floriography's heyday to communicate the status of your courtship. Red carnations were used primarily to signal their admiration, with the color deepening to reflect the depth of their love. The light pink shows gratitude, the deep red shows intense romantic love. At the opposite end of this scale, white carnations symbolize purity. The meaning of a red carnation may change depending on the time of year, as red carnations are also used on May 1st to show solidarity with the labor movement.
Carnations can also denote love for someone lost. In Mexico they have been used to adorn the bodies of people who have died, and purple carnations are a traditional flower for funerals in France.
The Meaning Behind Peonies
Peonies have incredible cultural significance for their home country of China, where they are a flower of wealth and honor. Widely used in medicine and cooking, it was said that the Chinese philosopher Confucius "did not eat anything without the sauce". A gift with an odd number of peonies is considered bad luck, so be careful when preparing a bouquet!
In Japan, a peony means bravery and white peony means just the opposite: shyness. Peonies can take a long time to bloom when moved, so the Victorians believed that digging up a peony would irritate the fairies. Once established, a peony can bloom continuously for years, which is a sign of prosperity.
The meaning of sunflowers
Their large stature and proud yellow heads lend much to the meaning behind the sunflowers. Literally named after the sun, sunflowers evoke positivity and warmth and are a symbol of respect and radiance in hanakotoba. It has been said that the sunflower rotating to follow the sun symbolizes great faith. Upon returning to the sun, the sunflower symbolizes loyalty.
In China, sunflowers symbolize longevity - perhaps connected to the long life of the sun. As such, they are usually gifted in opening a new business or chapter in someone's life as a desire for longevity and prosperity in their venture. Sunflowers themselves also have a very long life and, once cut, can last for several weeks.
What do the flowers of Alstroemeria mean?
Sister of the lily (perhaps with a little more ostentation), alstroemeria is the flower of friendship. We are seeing an increase in alstroemeria for brides, as bridal bouquets are being used to symbolize finding a soul mate and a best friend.
Meanings of Lisianthus
A prairie flower that blooms in the beds of deserted rivers and wide open spaces, Lisianthus is a flower of gratitude that shows the deep nourishment of good friends. Lisianthus symbolizes consideration and serenity as we reflect on these bonds. Also known as Eustoma, which is a combination of the Greek for “please” and “mouth”, these flowers are the perfect gift for those whose conversations bring real pleasure.
Chrysanthemum Symbolism
In Japan, the yellow chrysanthemum represents the imperial family, and a stylized chrysanthemum is still the imperial seal today. Japanese chrysanthemums bloom during the fall and thrive in conditions found near sanctuaries. As such, this flower has become a symbol of longevity, nobility, family rejuvenation and, more broadly, the autumn period, compassion and a rich harvest.
White chrysanthemums are known as 'the flower of death', which is perhaps the result of being lost in translation when they were brought to Europe. Their prominence in burial sites such as shrines led Europeans to associate them with death when they were brought in in the 17th century.
In modern days, the presence of the word 'mother' at the end of the name has sparked a new association; maternity. In Britain and Australia they are exceptionally popular flowers in the run up to Mother's Day.
Meaning germini
Younger sister of the popular Gerbera, Germini is a bright and vigorous flower. Literally defined by its smaller stature, this is a flower to show joy in life's little pleasures.
The meaning of tulips
The deep color of the tulip reflects the intensity of its meaning; a perfect and deep love, as well as wealth, status and indulgence. Flower featured in floriography, variations in the color of the tulip also create variations in its meaning, which follows that of the rose. Red for love, yellow for jealousy and white for purity.
The deepest colored flower found in Europe at the time, its introduction led to the first economic speculative bubble - and subsequent crash - a period in history that is now known as the "tulip mania".
Hyacinth Symbolism
These stunning star-shaped flowers are favorites for spring gardens. Another flower named after a Greek legend; Apollo and Zephyr's competition for the affections of a young prince Hyakinthos became so fierce that Hyakinthos was accidentally killed in their courtship. As such, many hyacinth colors have meanings attached to this origin story.
Commonly found in blues, purples and pinks, each hue has its own unique meaning as well as a unique scent. True blue hyacinths are a symbol of sincerity, while purple communicates repentance or prayers for a loved one. Red hyacinths are one of the rare red flowers that don't represent love and passion and are instead a symbol of fun. Perhaps this is not surprising, given its cheerful towers of bright flowers.
What does Ranunculus mean?
A cultivated form of the humble buttercup, the name of this flower literally translates to "thrush" from Latin. In Victorian times, a gift from Ranunculus was used to show that you were enchanted by someone and that you were fond of that person. In the Pacific Northwest, they are also known as coyote eyes, in reference to a sahaptin legend in which a bored coyote casts its eyes into the air and ends up using Ranunculus as substitute eyes.
Good in an emergency, and a great gift for a little frog in your life: Ranunculus are certainly one of the most eccentric and adorable flowers!