The Language of Flowers

Here are some of the most popular flowers and the ages-old meaning behind them. Please, just don't ask for a Tussie-Mussie of Marigolds, or it might be awkward for the recipient. Enjoy!

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• Amaryllis—Pride, pastoral poetry

• Anemone—Forsaken

• Aster—Symbol of love, daintiness

• Azalea—Take care of yourself for me, temperance, fragile passion, Chinese symbol of womanhood

• Begonia—Beware

• Bells-of-Ireland—Good luck

• Carnation—Fascination, women love

  • pink—I’ll never forget you

  • red—My heart aches for you, admiration

  • purple—Capriciousness

  • white—Sweet and lovely, innocence, pure love, woman’s good luck gift

  • solid color—Yes

  • striped—No, refusal, sorry I can’t be with you, wish I could be with you

• Cattail—Peace, prosperity

• Chrysanthemum

  • red—I love you

  • white—Truth

  • yellow—Slighted love

• Daffodil—Regard, unequalled love, you’re the only one, the sun is always shining when I’m with you (see also: Jonquil, Narcissus)

• Daisy—Innocence, loyal love, I’ll never tell, purity

• Dandelion—Faithfulness, happiness

• Forget-me-not—True love, memories

• Gardenia—You’re lovely, secret love

• Grass—Submission

• Hyacinth—Games and sports, rashness

  • blue—Constancy

  • purple—I am sorry, please forgive me, sorrow

  • red—Play

  • white—Loveliness, I’ll pray for you

  • yellow—Jealousy

• Hydrangea—Thank you for understanding, frigidity, heartlessness

• Iris—Your friendship means so much to me, faith, hope

• Ivy—Wedded love, fidelity, friendship, affection

• Lilac—Old love

• Lily-of-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

• Moss—Maternal love, charity 

• Orchid—Love, beauty, refinement, beautiful lady, Chinese symbol for many children

• Peony—Shame, happy life, happy marriage

• Rose

  • pink—Perfect happiness, please believe me

  • red—Love, I love you

  • dark crimson—Mourning

  • yellow—Decrease of love, jealousy, try to care

  • white—Innocence and purity, I am worthy of you, you’re heavenly, secrecy and silence

  • white and red mixed—Unity, flower emblem of England

  • white, dried—Death is preferable to loss of virtue

  • white, withered—Transient impression, fleeting beauty, you made no impression

  • tea—I’ll remember always

  • damask—Persian ambassador of love

  • thornless—Love at first sight

  • leaf—You may hope

  • bouquet of mature blooms—Gratitude

• Tulip—Perfect lover, fame, flower emblem of Holland

  • red—Believe me, declaration of love

  • yellow—There’s sunshine in your smile

  • variegated—Beautiful eyes

• Violet—Modesty

  • blue—Watchfulness, faithfulness, I’ll always be there​