Topic: The Meanings of Flowers
Tomishereagain's photo
Sat 10/10/15 07:17 PM
In Victorian times, certain flowers had specific meanings because the flower selection was limited and people used more symbols and gestures to communicate than words. But today, with so many flower choices, there are no rules - it's the sentiment that gives the gift its meaning.
http://www.aboutflowers.com/flower-a-plant-information-and-photos/meanings-of-flowers.html

The Society of American Florists has compiled this list from a variety of different sources:

Alstroemeria - aspiring
Amaryllis - dramatic
Anemone - fragile
Apple Blossom - promis
Aster - contentment
Azalea - abundance
Baby's Breath - festivity
Bachelor Button - anticipation
Begonia - deep thoughts
Black-Eyed Susan - encouragement
Camellia - graciousness

Carnation:
pink - gratitude
red - flashy
striped - refusal
white - remembrance
yellow - cheerful

Chrysanthemum:
bronze - excitement
white - truth
red - sharing
yellow - secret admirer

Cosmos - peaceful
Crocus - foresight
Daffodil - chivalry
Delphinium - boldness
Daisy - innocence
Freesia - spirited
Forget-Me-Not - remember me forever
Gardenia - joy
Geranium - comfort
Ginger - proud
Gladiolus - strength of character
Heather - solitude
Hibiscus - delicate beauty
Holly - domestic happiness
Hyacinth - sincerity
Hydrangea - perseverance
Iris - inspiration
Ivy - fidelity
Jasmine - grace and elegance
Larkspur - beautiful spirit
Lavender - distrust
Lilac - first love

Lily:
Calla - regal
Casablanca - celebration
Day - enthusiasm

Stargazer - ambition
Lisianthus - calming
Magnolia - dignity
Marigold - desire for riches
Nasturtium - patriotism
Orange Blossom - fertility
Orchid - delicate beauty
Pansy - loving thoughts
Passion flower - passion
Peony - healing
Poppy - consolation
Queen Anne's Lace - delicate femininity
Ranunculus - radiant
Rhododendron - beware

Rose:
pink - admiration/appreciation
red - passionate love
red & white - unity
white - purity
yellow - friendship
Snapdragon - presumptuous
Star of Bethlehem - hope
Stephanotis - good luck
Statice - success
Sunflower - adoration
Sweetpea - shyness
Tuberose - pleasure

Tulip:
pink - caring
purple - royalty
red - declaration of love
white - forgiveness
yellow - hopelessly in love
Violet - faithfulness

Wisteria - steadfast
Yarrow - good health
Zinnia - thoughts of friends


Birth Month Flowers:
January - Carnation

February - Iris, Violet

March - Daffodil

April - Daisy, Peonies

May - Lily, Lily of the Valley

June - Rose

July - Delphinium

August - Dahlia, Gladiolus

September - Aster, Forget-me-not

October - Calendula (aka Marigold)

November - Chrysanthemum

December - Poinsettia, Holly, Narcissus, Paperwhite

State Flowers:
Alabama - Camellia

Alaska - Forget-me-not

Arizona - Saguaro Cactus blossom

Arkansas - Apple blossom

California - California Poppy

Colorado - Rocky Mountain Columbine

Connecticut - Mountain laurel

Delaware - Peach blossom

Florida - Orange blossom

Georgia - Cherokee Rose

Hawaii - Hawaiian hibiscus (ma‘o hau hele)

Idaho - Mock Orange

Illinois - Purple Violet

Indiana - Peony

Iowa - Wild Prairie Rose

Kansas - Sunflower

Kentucky - Goldenrod

Louisiana - Magnolia

Maine - White pine cone and tassel

Maryland - Black-eyed susan

Massachuset - Mayflower

Michigan - Apple blossom

Minnesota - Pink and white lady's slipper

Mississippi - Magnolia

Missouri - Hawthorn

Montana - Bitterroot

Nebraska - Goldenrod

Nevada - Sagebrush

New Hampshire - Purple lilac

New Jersey - Violet

New Mexico - Yucca flower

New York - Rose

North Carolina - American Dogwood

North Dakota - Wild Prairie Rose

Ohio - Scarlet Carnation

Oklahoma - Oklahoma Rose

Oklahoma (Floral Emblem)- Mistletoe

Oklahoma (Wildflower) - Indian Blanket

Oregon - Oregon grape

Pennsylvania - Mountain Laurel

Rhode Island - Violet

South Carolina - Yellow Jessamine

South Dakota - Pasque flower

Tennessee - Iris

Texas - Bluebonnet

Utah - Sego lily

Vermont - Red Clover

Virginia - American Dogwood

Washington - Coast Rhododendron

West Virginia - Rhododendron

Wisconsin - Wood Violet

Wyoming - Indian Paintbrush

no photo
Sat 10/10/15 07:27 PM
White Lilly's.
There is a God, there must be to have such simple beauty on the earth.

SitkaRains's photo
Sat 10/10/15 07:28 PM
This has evolved so much ..
For example when my great grandmother was a young girl
and she was born in 1883.
The yellow rose was for jealousy.

Violets were given to a girl to show interest
and if they were spun sugar ones, they were to be eaten if you interested in the young caller's presence.

My favourite flower in order is...
Lilacs
Daffodils
pansies
Sweetheart pink roses
stargazer lilies...

I have a book somewhere that was printed in I think at the turn of the century that is called the language of flowers. I will have to look at it again when I am back home.

Tomishereagain's photo
Sat 10/10/15 08:21 PM
The Language of Flowers
Book by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Published December 30th 1989 by Harmony (first published 1989)

There is also a website
http://thelanguageofflowers.com/


ACACIA BLOSSOM - Concealed Love; Beauty in Retirement; Chaste Love
ACORN - Nordic Symbol of Life and immortality
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
BOUQUET OF WITHERED FLOWERS Rejected Love
CACTUS - Endurance
CAMELLIA Admiration; Perfection; Good Luck, Gift to a Man
CAMELLIA Pink - Longing for You
CAMELLIA Red - You're a Flame in My Heart
CAMELLIA White - You're Adorable
CANDY TUFT - Indifference
CARNATION General - Fascination; Divine Love
CARNATION Pink - I'll Never Forget You CARNATION, Purple - Capriciousness
CARNATION Red - My Heart Aches for You; Admiration
CARNATION Solid Colour - Yes
CARNATION Striped - No; Refusal; Sorry I Can't Be with You: Wish l 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 Red - I Love
CHRYSANTHEMUM White - Truth
CHRYSANTHEMUM Yellow - Slighted Love
COREOPSIS - Always Cheerful
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
DEAD LEAVES - Sadness
FERN - Magic; Fascination; Confidence and Shelter
FERN Maidenhair - Secret Bond of Love
FIR - Time
FLAX - Domestic Symbol
FORGET-ME-NOT- True Love; Memories
FORSYTHIA - Anticipation
GARDENIA - You're Lovely: Secret Love
GARLIC - Courage; Strength
GERANIUM -"Stupidity; Folly
GLADIOLUS - Give Me a Break . . . I'm Really Sincere; Flower of the Gladiators
GLOXINIA - Love at First Sight
GRASS - Submission
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 Valour; My Compliments
IVY - Wedded Love; Fidelity; Friendship; Affection
IVY SPRIG OF WHITE TENDRILS -Anxious to Please; Affection
JONQUIL - Love Me; Affection Returned; Desire; Sympathy; Desire for Affection Returned
LARKSPUR Pink - Fickleness
LILY Calla - Beauty
LILY Day - Coquetry; Chinese Emblem for Mothers
LILY Eucharis - Maiden Charms
LILY Orange - Hatred
LILY Tiger - Wealth; Pride

LILY White - Virginity; Purity; Majesty; It's Heavenly to Be with You
LILY Yellow - I'm Walking on Air; False and Gay
LILY-0F-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; Magic Plant of the Druids
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
NUTS - Stupidity
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; Gay Life; Happy Marriage
PETUNIA - Resentment; Anger; Your Presence Soothes 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 Christmas - Tranquilize My Anxiety; Anxiety
ROSE Coral - Desire
ROSE Damask - Persian Ambassador of Love
ROSE Dark Crimson - Mourning
ROSE Dark Pink - Thankfulness
ROSE Lavender - Enchantment
ROSE LEAF - You May Hope
ROSE Orange - Fascination
ROSE Pale Peach - Modesty
ROSE Pale Pink - Grace, Joy
ROSE Red - Love, Respect
ROSE Single Full Bloom - I Love You; I Still Love You
ROSE Tea - I'll Remember; Always
ROSE Thorn less - Love at First Sight
ROSE White - Innocence and Secrecy
ROSE White and Red Together - Unity White on Red Together - Flower Emblem of England
ROSE Yellow - Joy, Friendship
ROSEBUD - Beauty and Youth; A Heart Innocent of Love
ROSEBUD Moss - Confessions of Love
ROSEBUD Red - Pure and Lovely
ROSEBUD White - Girlhood
ROSES Bouquet of Full Bloom - Gratitude
ROSES Garland or Crown of - Reward of Merit; Crown Symbol of Superior Merit
ROSES Musk Cluster - Charming
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
SWEET PEA - Good-bye; Departure; Blissful Pleasure; Thank You for a Lovely Time
TULIP General - Perfect Lover; Fame; 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 on Happiness
VISCARIA -Will You Dance with Me?
ZINNIA Magenta - Lasting Affection
ZINNIA Mixed - Thinking (or in Memory) of an Absent Friend
ZINNIA Scarlet - Constancy
ZINNIA White - Goodness
ZINNIA Yellow - Daily Remembrance


This is one version of the meaning of flowers, there are many different versions from several countries some with completely different meanings. This one is fairly comprehensive and one that is commonly used in North America.

Nice Resource - TY