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Martha Stewart Weddings

Your Ultimate Guide to Flower Meanings

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By Lyndsey Matthews
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Become fluent in the language of flowers with this glossary of historic definitions associated with popular blooms.

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See Bouquets Inspired by the Most Popular Wedding Flowers

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. 

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Baby's Breath

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Meaning:

Everlasting love

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Bells of Ireland

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Meaning:

 Good luck 

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Calla Lily

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Meaning:

 Magnificent beauty

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Carnation

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See Ways to Use Carnations in Your Wedding

Meaning:

 Pure love

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Carnation (Pink)

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Meaning:

 Woman's love

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Chamomile

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Meaning:

 Energy in action 

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Cherry Blossom

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Meaning:

 Education 

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Chrysanthemum

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Meaning:

 You're a wonderful friend

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Coxcomb

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Meaning:

 Unfading love 

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Daffodil

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Meaning:

 The sun shines when I'm with you

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Dahlia

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Meaning: 

Dignity and elegance, forever thine 

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Daisy

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Meaning: 

Innocence

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Delphinium

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Credit: JAMES WORRELL

Meaning:

 Bighearted, fun 

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Fern

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Meaning:

 Magic

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Freesia

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Meaning: 

Innocence

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Gardenia

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Meaning:

 Refinement

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Geranium

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Meaning: 

True friendship

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Gladioli

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Meaning:

 Generosity, I'm sincere

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Holly

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Meaning: 

Domestic happiness

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Hyacinth

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Meaning: 

Sport and play

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Hydrangea

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See Our Favorite Hydrangea Wedding Flower Arrangements

Meaning: 

Thank you for understanding

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Iris

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Meaning: 

I have a message for you

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Yellow Iris

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Meaning: 

Passion

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Ivy

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Meaning: 

Friendship

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Lady's Mantle

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Meaning: 

Comfort

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Lavender

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Meaning: 

Love and devotion

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Lilac

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Meaning: 

First emotions of love

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Lily-of-the-Valley

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Meaning: 

Return of happiness

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Mimosa

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Meaning: 

Secret love

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Narcissus

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Meaning:

 Stay as sweet as you are

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Olive Branch

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Meaning:

Peace

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Orchid

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See 8 Ways to Use Orchids in Your Wedding

Meaning:

You're in my thoughts

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Peony

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See Our Favorite Peony Bouquets

Meaning:

Bashful

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Red Poppy

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Meaning:

 Pleasure

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Ranunculus

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Meaning:

Radiant with charms

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Rose

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See 10 Fresh Ways to Add Roses to Your Wedding

Meaning: 

Love

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White Rose

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Meaning:

I am worthy of you

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Orange Rose

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Meaning:

 Fascination

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Pink Rose

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Meaning:

Perfect happiness, grace and sweetness

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Dark Pink Rose

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Meaning:

Thankfulness

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Peach Rose

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Meaning:

Immortality, modesty

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Rosemary

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Make Rosemary Olive Oil Wedding Favors

Meaning:

Remembrance

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Snapdragon

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Meaning:

Strength

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Stephanotis

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Meaning:

Marital happiness, desire to travel

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Stock

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Meaning:

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

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Sweet Pea

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Meaning:

 Delicate pleasures

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Tulip

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Meaning:

Declaration of love

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Pink Tulip

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Meaning:

 Caring

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Yellow Tulip

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Meaning:

There's sunshine in your smile

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Magenta Zinnia

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Meaning:

Lasting affection

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Scarlet Zinnia

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Meaning:

Constancy

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    1 of 52
    2 of 52 Baby's Breath
    3 of 52 Bells of Ireland
    4 of 52 Calla Lily
    5 of 52 Carnation
    6 of 52 Carnation (Pink)
    7 of 52 Chamomile
    8 of 52 Cherry Blossom
    9 of 52 Chrysanthemum
    10 of 52 Coxcomb
    11 of 52 Daffodil
    12 of 52 Dahlia
    13 of 52 Daisy
    14 of 52 Delphinium
    15 of 52 Fern
    16 of 52 Freesia
    17 of 52 Gardenia
    18 of 52 Geranium
    19 of 52 Gladioli
    20 of 52 Holly
    21 of 52 Hyacinth
    22 of 52 Hydrangea
    23 of 52 Iris
    24 of 52 Yellow Iris
    25 of 52 Ivy
    26 of 52 Lady's Mantle
    27 of 52 Lavender
    28 of 52 Lilac
    29 of 52 Lily-of-the-Valley
    30 of 52 Mimosa
    31 of 52 Narcissus
    32 of 52 Olive Branch
    33 of 52 Orchid
    34 of 52 Peony
    35 of 52 Red Poppy
    36 of 52 Ranunculus
    37 of 52 Rose
    38 of 52 White Rose
    39 of 52 Orange Rose
    40 of 52 Pink Rose
    41 of 52 Dark Pink Rose
    42 of 52 Peach Rose
    43 of 52 Rosemary
    44 of 52 Snapdragon
    45 of 52 Stephanotis
    46 of 52 Stock
    47 of 52 Sweet Pea
    48 of 52 Tulip
    49 of 52 Pink Tulip
    50 of 52 Yellow Tulip
    51 of 52 Magenta Zinnia
    52 of 52 Scarlet Zinnia

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