The ‘language of flowers’ or ‘Floriography’ dates right back to the Victorian times. In fact, the first dictionary of floriography appeared in 1819, when ‘Madame Charlotte de la Tour’ (real name – Louise Cortambert) wrote Le Langage des Fleurs. This secret language of blooms acted as a code to communicate the meanings of numerous flowers and flower arrangements, a little like the texting acronyms of the past.
The history of gifting blooms
Victorians commonly swapped small ‘talking bouquets’, also known as ‘nosegays’ or ‘tussie-mussies’, which were worn or carried as fashion accessories. When meanings were attached, these blooms were seen as a different way of communicating and of making one’s feelings known.
Today, gifting flowers to friends and family is still extremely common and many will look into the meanings of the blooms they gift before sending them. This will ensure they match the recipient’s tastes and convey a certain message, such as ’happy anniversary’, ‘I love you’ or ‘congratulations’.
For example, roses act as a romantic gesture, whilst Alstroemeria blooms are a good option to choose if you want to wish someone good fortune. Gardenia are a great bloom to gift someone you wish to take on a date or are fond of, whilst peonies are a sign of a happy marriage and are therefore popular in bouquets gifted on anniversaries.
Below you’ll find an alphabetic list of almost every bloom available and its true meaning, which will certainly come in handy the next time you’re thinking of sending a bouquet of flowers or a plant to a loved one…
A FLOWERS
| Agapanthus | Secret love |
| Agrimony | Thankfulness |
| Allium | Unity, Humility, Patience |
| Alstroemeria | Devotion, Wealth, Prosperity, Fortune |
| Alyssum | Worth beyond beauty |
| Ambrosia | Pride, Timidity, Splendid beauty |
| Anemone | Forsaken, Expectations |
| Apple Blossom | Better things to come, Good fortune |
| Arbutus | I only love you |
| Asparagus Fern | Amazement, Fascination |
| Asphodel | My regrets follow you to the grave |
| Aster | Wisdom, Devotion |
| Azalea | Be Safe, Take Care of Yourself, Temperance, Fragile |
B FLOWERS
| Baby’s Breath | Innocence, Pure of Heart |
| Begonia | A fanciful nature |
| Bells of Ireland | Good luck |
| Bird of Paradise | Faithfulness, Love, Thoughtfulness |
| Bluebell | Humility |
| Buttercup | Childishness |
C FLOWERS
| Calla Lily | Magnificent Beauty |
| Carnation | Woman love |
| Chrysanthemum | You’re a Wonderful Friend, Cheerfulness |
| Clematis | Cleverness, Ingenuity |
| Cornflower | Delicacy |
| Crocus | Cheerfulness |
D FLOWERS
| Daffodil | Respect, Rebirth |
| Daisy | Gentleness, Innocence, Purity |
| Dandelion | Happiness |
| Delphinium | Dignity |
| Dahlia | Commitment |
E FLOWERS
| Eustoma (Lisianthus) | Appreciation |
F FLOWERS
| Forget Me Not | True love, Faithfulness |
| Forsythia | Anticipation, Purity |
| Freesia | Trust, Friendship, Purity |
G FLOWERS
| Gardenia | Sweet love, You’re Lovely |
| Geranium | Foolishness |
| Gerbera | Innocence, Purity, and Cheerfulness |
| Gladiolus | Generosity, Strength and Moral Integrity |
| Gypsophila | Innocence, Pure of Heart |
H FLOWERS
| Heather | Good luck, Wishes Come True (White), Admiration (Lavender) |
| Holly | Happy Home Life |
| Honeysuckle | Generosity, I Love You |
| Hyacinth | Playful, Sincerity |
| Hydrangea | Gratitude, Boastfulness, Heartlessness |
I FLOWERS
| Iris | Faith, Passion, Wisdom, Friendship |
| Ivy | Fidelity, Wedded Love, Affection, Friendship, Life and Immortality |
J FLOWERS
| Jasmine | Beauty, Sensuality, Modesty, Grace, Elegance |
| Juniper | Healing, Protection |
K FLOWERS
| King Protea | Change and Transformation |
L FLOWERS
| Larkspur | An open heart |
| Lavender | Devotion, Loyalty, Love, |
| Lilac | Purity and Innocence, First Emotion of Love , Spirituality (purple) |
| Lily of the Valley | Return of Happiness |
| Lily | Rebirth and Motherhood |
| Lily (Orange) | Money, Wealth |
| Lily (White) | Purity |
| Lotus | Estranged love |
M FLOWERS
| Magnolia | Nobility |
| Mistletoe | Kiss me, Affection, Difficulties |
| Morning Glory | Affection |
| Mum | Hope |
N FLOWERS
| Narcissus | Egotism, Formality |
O FLOWERS
| Olive Branch | Peace |
| Orange Blossom | Innocence, Purity, Eternal Love, Marriage |
| Orchid | Love, Beauty |
P FLOWERS
| Palm Leaves | Success |
| Passion Flower | Faith |
| Peony | Happy marriage, Prosperity, Bashfulness |
| Petunia | Our souls are united |
| Poppy | Pleasure, Wealth, Eternal Sleep, Oblivion, Imagination |
| Primrose | I can’t live without you |
| Pussy Willow | Motherhood |
Q FLOWERS
| Queen Anne’s Lace | Sanctuary |
R FLOWERS
| Ranunculus | Radiant, Charming |
| Rose(Red) | Love, I love you, Desire |
| Rose (Pink) | Perfect happiness |
| Rose (Coral) | Desire |
| Rose (Yellow) | Friendship, Joy, Gladness |
| Rose (Orange) | Fascination |
| Rose (Lavender) | Enchantment |
| Rose (White) | Charm, Innocence |
| Rosebud | Beauty, Youth |
S FLOWERS
| Snapdragon | Presumption, Deception, Gracious Lady |
| Solidago | Success |
| Star of Bethlehem | Atonement, Reconciliation |
| Stephanotis | Marital Happiness |
| Statice | Remembrance |
| Sunflower | False Riches, Pride |
| Sweet Pea | Blissful pleasure, Goodbye, Departure |
T FLOWERS
| Tiger Lily | Prosperity |
| Trumpet Flower | Separation |
| Tuberose | Dangerous Pleasure |
| Tulip | Love and Passion |
V FLOWERS
| Veronica | Fidelity |
| Violet | Faithfulness, Modesty |
W FLOWERS
| Water Lily | Purity of heart |
| Wax Flower | Riches |
| Wisteria | Welcome |
Y FLOWERS
| Yarrow | Healing |
Z FLOWERS
| Zinnia | Sincerity, Symbol of love |
| Zinnia (Yellow) | Daily remembrance |
| Zinnia (Magenta) | Lasting affection |
| Zinnia (White) | Goodness |
A time for secret messages?
Whether you’re sending blooms to a loved one, a colleague or a friend, you now have no excuse not to send a bouquet complete with a secret meaning or message! This will make the gift that little more personal, notwithstanding whether the recipient knows what it means or not…
You can also rely on a number of online florists to provide the same and next day delivery services, meaning you can send your blooms whenever you want (and at the last minute if you’ve forgotten someone’s special occasion)!
Source: weloveflorists.com
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