The Language of Flowers and What They Mean

I have always loved flowers. I love all kinds. Beside their beauty, I have always loved learning about what each flower represents. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share what certain flowers mean, and the message they represent when giving them as a gift.

Daffodil

Daffodils are a flower that represents spring and longer days filled with sunshine. They represent chivalry, rebirth, eternal life and new beginnings. It can also mean unrequited love. If you give a single daffodil as a gift, it often foretells misfortune, but give a bunch of daffodils as a gift and they represent joy and happiness.

Dahlia

The Dahlia flower is one of my absolute favorites. It is a bold flower with a few different meanings. It can represent a sign of warning, a sign of change, travel, and even betrayal.

Gardenia

Gardenias stand for purity and sweetness, and they typically represent a secret love or joy. They make great gifts for friends who you think are lovely and want a special way to tell them.

Lily

Lilies are the totem flower for mothers, especially new mothers, fertility and nurturing. They are also symbolic of unions, partnerships and long-lasting relationships, which means they make great gifts for new mothers and brides-to-be. You may also associate lilies with funerals, because they are also a symbol of faith, hope, peace and living life beyond this realm.

Orchid

An orchid is an exotic flower, symbolizing thoughtfulness, refinement, charm and femininity. They also represent friendship and the sentiment of good health. Just like roses, different color orchids represent different sentiments.

Pansy

Many times, pansies are placed upon headstones to honor and remember those who are no longer with us, since pansies represent remembrance. They are also a symbol of togetherness and union.

Peony

Perhaps my most absolute favorite flower, peonies represent compassion and bashfulness, so I’ve always felt they are my spirit flower. Peonies symbolize a happy life, happy marriage, good health and prosperity.

Ranunculus

Ranunculus flowers are beautiful and represent radiant charm. These flowers make a great gift for someone who you think is attractive and radiant. They are sweet and romantic, which make them a great gift for loved ones.

Rose

Roses have many different meanings as well, depending on the color. As a whole, roses are symbolic of deep love, concentration, intelligence, balance and passion. Additionally, they can also represent healing, revitalization, rejuvenation and courage. Roses typically represent honor, devotion and intense commitment, which is why they are the traditional flower for Valentine’s Day.

· Red roses are an expression of love, longing and desire.

· White roses stand for new beginnings, sympathy, humility and spirituality.

· Yellow roses represent joy, warmth, welcome, friendship and caring.

· Pink roses represent admiration, joy and gratitude. A light pink rose typically represents innocence and sweetness, while a darker pink means gratitude and appreciation.

· Orange roses signify passion and energy as well as desire, pride and fervor.

· Lavender roses convey enchantment and love at first sight. Growing up, my father gave my mother, me and my sisters all different color roses for Valentine’s Day and our birthdays. We each had our own color, and mine has always been lavender colored roses. To this day, they are still my favorite rose.

· Black roses usually represent the death of a feeling or an idea.

Sunflower

One of my absolute favorite flowers is the sunflower. I love how they continue to grow towards the sun, strong and proud, despite the obstacles in their way. They represent opportunity, good luck, wealth and ambition. Sunflowers make a great gift for someone who is working hard towards a specific goal. They are also a symbol of joy, endurance, perseverance adoration and dedicated love. They also make a great housewarming gift.

Tulip

Tulips have always meant spring for me, and that summer is just around the corner. Another flower that fights ferociously to find the sun. Because they grow from a bulb and return each year, tulips represent resurrection and determination. They make a great gift for someone who is feeling lost and needs some inspiration.