Your Ultimate Guide to Flower Meanings

Flowers, plants, and herbs have been used as symbols since antiquity. But it was the Victorians who were truly fluent in the language of flowers, following the 1819 publication in France of Charlotte de Latour's Le Langage des Fleurs. In this popular book, hundreds of flora were paired with translations, which ranged from heartwarming to heartbreaking.

Courting couples during thes times used blooms to declare their affection even when strict etiquette prohibited them from speaking openly, a method of communicating that became nearly an art. An ill-considered choice of blooms could leave a suitor's amorous intention misunderstood, whereas the right flower needed no explanation. If a lady was given a spray of red tulips, for instance, she knew her gentleman caller was smitten. If the ardor was returned, she might send him a bouquet of lilacs. But if she chose to respond with an arrangement of ivy, he'd realize a romance probably would not blossom. Even the way in which flowers were handed to the recipient had significance. To indicate the sincerity of the message, the blooms were held upright. But if they were presented upside down, the exact opposite meaning was intended.

Over time, many floral definitions have changed according to culture and whim. Here, the most common meanings still associated with specific flowers today. 

Meaning:

Everlasting love

Meaning:

 Good luck 

Meaning:

 Magnificent beauty

Meaning:

 Pure love

Meaning:

 Woman's love

Meaning:

 Energy in action 

Meaning:

 Education 

Meaning:

 You're a wonderful friend

Meaning:

 Unfading love 

Meaning:

 The sun shines when I'm with you

Meaning: 

Dignity and elegance, forever thine 

Meaning: 

Innocence

Meaning:

 Bighearted, fun 

Meaning:

 Magic

Meaning: 

Innocence

Meaning:

 Refinement

Meaning: 

True friendship

Meaning:

 Generosity, I'm sincere

Meaning: 

Domestic happiness

Meaning: 

Sport and play

Meaning: 

Thank you for understanding

Meaning: 

I have a message for you

Meaning: 

Passion

Meaning: 

Friendship

Meaning: 

Comfort

Meaning: 

Love and devotion

Meaning: 

First emotions of love

Meaning: 

Return of happiness

Meaning: 

Secret love

Meaning:

 Stay as sweet as you are

Meaning:

Peace

Meaning:

You're in my thoughts

Meaning:

Bashful

Meaning:

 Pleasure

Meaning:

Radiant with charms

Meaning: 

Love

Meaning:

I am worthy of you

Meaning:

 Fascination

Meaning:

Perfect happiness, grace and sweetness

Meaning:

Thankfulness

Meaning:

Immortality, modesty

Meaning:

Remembrance

Meaning:

Strength

Meaning:

Marital happiness, desire to travel

Meaning:

Bonds of affection, you'll always be beautiful to me

Meaning:

 Delicate pleasures

Meaning:

Declaration of love

Meaning:

 Caring

Meaning:

There's sunshine in your smile

Meaning:

Lasting affection

Meaning:

Constancy