Your Ultimate Guide to Flower Meanings

By Lyndsey Matthews

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

Meaning:

Everlasting love

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Bells of Ireland

Meaning:

 Good luck 

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Calla Lily

Meaning:

 Magnificent beauty

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Carnation

See Ways to Use Carnations in Your Wedding

Meaning:

 Pure love

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Carnation (Pink)

Meaning:

 Woman’s love

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Chamomile

Meaning:

 Energy in action 

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Cherry Blossom

Meaning:

 Education 

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Chrysanthemum

Meaning:

 You’re a wonderful friend

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Coxcomb

Meaning:

 Unfading love 

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Daffodil

Meaning:

 The sun shines when I’m with you

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Dahlia

Meaning: 

Dignity and elegance, forever thine 

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Daisy

Meaning: 

Innocence

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Delphinium

Credit: JAMES WORRELL

Meaning:

 Bighearted, fun 

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Fern

Meaning:

 Magic

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Freesia

Meaning: 

Innocence

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Gardenia

Meaning:

 Refinement

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Geranium

Meaning: 

True friendship

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Gladioli

Meaning:

 Generosity, I’m sincere

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Holly

Meaning: 

Domestic happiness

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Hyacinth

Meaning: 

Sport and play

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Hydrangea

See Our Favorite Hydrangea Wedding Flower Arrangements

Meaning: 

Thank you for understanding

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Iris

Meaning: 

I have a message for you

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Yellow Iris

Meaning: 

Passion

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Ivy

Meaning: 

Friendship

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Lady’s Mantle

Meaning: 

Comfort

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Lavender

Meaning: 

Love and devotion

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Lilac

Meaning: 

First emotions of love

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Lily-of-the-Valley

Meaning: 

Return of happiness

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Mimosa

Meaning: 

Secret love

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Narcissus

Meaning:

 Stay as sweet as you are

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Olive Branch

Meaning:

Peace

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Orchid

See 8 Ways to Use Orchids in Your Wedding

Meaning:

You’re in my thoughts

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Peony

See Our Favorite Peony Bouquets

Meaning:

Bashful

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Red Poppy

Meaning:

 Pleasure

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Ranunculus

Meaning:

Radiant with charms

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Rose

See 10 Fresh Ways to Add Roses to Your Wedding

Meaning: 

Love

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White Rose

Meaning:

I am worthy of you

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Orange Rose

Meaning:

 Fascination

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Pink Rose

Meaning:

Perfect happiness, grace and sweetness

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Dark Pink Rose

Meaning:

Thankfulness

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Peach Rose

Meaning:

Immortality, modesty

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Rosemary

Make Rosemary Olive Oil Wedding Favors

Meaning:

Remembrance

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Snapdragon

Meaning:

Strength

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Stephanotis

Meaning:

Marital happiness, desire to travel

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Stock

Meaning:

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

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Sweet Pea

Meaning:

 Delicate pleasures

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Tulip

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Meaning:

Declaration of love

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Pink Tulip

Meaning:

 Caring

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Yellow Tulip

Meaning:

There’s sunshine in your smile

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Magenta Zinnia

Meaning:

Lasting affection

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Scarlet Zinnia

Meaning:

Constancy

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