The Language and Meaning of Flowers

BY GARRY GAMBER

Sweet flowers alone can say what passion fears revealing.
— Thomas Hood poem, The Language of Flowers

Flowers and bouquets of flowers have a meaning of their own. Most of us know that a dozen red roses means, “Be mine.” But did you know, for example, that a primrose means, “I can’t live without you,” or that a purple hyacinth means, “Please forgive me,” or that a pink carnation means, “I’ll never forget you,” or that a gladiolus means, “Give me a break?”

Flower meanings have been used to convey ideas, feelings and messages for centuries. The word, floriography, has been coined for the assignment of meaning to flowers. There is a meaning to colors of flowers, to numbers of flowers, and to groups of flowers. It is a silent language that has been largely lost to us through lack of use.

In addition to the obvious choices of color and variety, the language of flowers also includes the way flowers are worn or presented. Presenting flowers upright conveys a positive meaning, but if they are presented upside down the meaning is the opposite. If a ribbon is included with the flowers and is tied to the left then the meaning of the flowers refers to the giver, but if the ribbon is tied to the right then the meaning refers to the recipient. Also, flowers can be used to answer questions. When they are presented with the right hand the answer is “yes,” but when presented with the left hand the answer is “no.”

History

The Turks in the 17th century seemed to develop flower meanings. In 1718 the wife of the British ambassador to Constantinople, Lady Mary Wortley, wrote a letter expounding on the “Secret Language of Flowers” that she had discovered during her visits to Turkey. Europe quickly picked up on the concept.

In 1819 Louise Cortambert, under the pen name, Madame Charlotte de la Tour, wrote and published what seems to have been the first dictionary of the flower language entitled, Le Language des Fleurs. It was a small book, but it became a popular reference on the subject.

During the Victorian era, the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901, the meaning and language of flowers became increasingly popular. Victorian women especially picked up the silent language that allowed them to communicate feelings and meanings that the strict propriety of the times would not allow. Tussie-mussies, a bouquet of flowers wrapped with a lace doily and tied with a satin ribbon became a popular and valued gift of the times.

In 1884 a whole book on the subject and entitled, The Language of Flowers, by Jean Marsh and illustrated by Kate Greenaway, was published in London. It became popular and respected and has been the standard source for Victorian flower meaning ever since.

Selected Flower Meanings

Here are some selected flowers and their meanings, a short dictionary.

• Almond flowers – Hope
• Anemone – Forsaken
• Aster – Symbol of love
• Balm – Sympathy
• Basil – Best wishes
• Bay leaf – “I change but in death”
• Bell flower, white – Gratitude
• Bergamot – Irresistible
• Bluebell – Constancy
• Borage – Courage
• Broom – Humility
• Campanula – Gratitude
• Carnation, pink – I’ll never forget you
• Carnation, red – My poor heart aches for you
• Carnation, striped – Refusal
• China rose – Beauty always new
• Chrysanthemum – Love
• Clover, four leaved – “Be mine”
• Coreopsis – Love at first sight
• Cuckoo pint – Ardor
• Daffodil – Regard
• Daisy – Innocence, new-born, “I share your sentiment”
• Fennel – Flattery
• Fern – Sincerity
• Forget-Me-Not – True love
• Furze or Gorse – Enduring affection
• French Marigold – Jealousy
• Gardenia – Ecstasy
• Gentian – Loveliness
• Geranium – “You are childish”
• Hare bell – Grief
• Heartsease – “I am always thinking of you”
• Honeysuckle – Bonds of love
• Heather – Admiration
• Hyacinth – I am sorry, Please forgive me
• Ice Plant – “Your appearance freezes me”
• Ivy – Fidelity, friendship, marriage
• Jasmine – Grace
• Jonquil – “I hope for return of affection”
• Lavender – Luck, devotion
• Lemon Balm – Sympathy
• Lilac – First love
• Lily – Purity, modesty
• Lily of the Valley – Purity, the return of happiness
• Lily, Calla – Beauty
• Marigold – Health, grief or despair
• Marjoram – Kindness, courtesy
• Myrtle – Fidelity
• Oregano – Joy
• Orchid – Love, beauty, refinement
• Pansy – Loving thoughts
• Periwinkle – Happy memory
• Phlox – Agreement
• Poppy, red – Consolation
• Primrose – I can’t live without you
• Rose, cabbage – Ambassador of love
• Rose, red – Love
• Rose, pink – Grace, beauty
• Rose, yellow – Friendship
• Rosemary – Remembrance, constancy
• Rue – Contrition
• Sage – Gratitude, domestic virtue
• Snowdrop – Hope
• Star of Bethlehem – Purity
• Sweet Pea – Departure, tender memory
• Sweet William – Gallantry
• Tuberose – Voluptuousness
• Tulip, red – My perfect lover, Reclamation of love
• Violet – Loyalty, modesty, humility
• Violet, blue – Faithfulness
• Wormwood – Grief
• Wheat – Riches of the continuation of life
• Willow, weeping – Mourning
• Wallflower – Fidelity
• Yew – Sorrow

The Rose

The Rose is the flower whose meaning we most understand, but here are some details of the meaning of the Rose that may be of further interest.

• Rose, Black – You are my obsession
• Rose, Champagne – You are tender and loving
• Rose, Leonidas – Sweet love
• Rose, Nicole – You are graceful and elegant, aristocratic
• Rose, Orange – You are my secret love
• Rose, Pink – Brilliant complexion; the glow of your smile; perfect happiness
• Rose, Red – Passionate love; I love you
• Rose, Single Stems – Simplicity
• Rose, White – I am worthy of you; spiritual love; Innocence and Purity; Secrecy and Silence
• Rose, White and Red – We are inseparable
• Rose, White and Red Mixed – Unity; Flower emblem of England
• Rose, White, Dried – Death is preferable to loss of virtue
• Rose, Yellow – Friendship; Jealousy; I am not worthy
• Rose, Bridal – Happy Love
• Rose, Dark Crimson – Mourning
• Rose, Hibiscus – Delicate beauty
• Rose, Tea – I’ll remember always
• Rose, Thornless – Love at first sight
• Roses, Bouquet of Mature Blooms – Gratitude

Multiple Roses

• Single bloom red Rose – Love at first sight or I still love you
• Single Rose, any color – Gratitude or simplicity
• 2 Roses – Mutual feelings
• 3 Roses – I love you
• 7 Roses – I’m infatuated with you
• 9 Roses – We’ll be together forever
• 10 Roses – You are perfect
• 11 Roses – You are my treasured one
• 12 Roses – Be mine
• 13 Roses – Friends forever
• 15 Roses – I’m truly sorry
• 20 Roses – I’m truly sincere towards you
• 21 Roses – I’m dedicated to you
• 24 Roses – Forever yours
• 25 Roses – Congratulations
• 50 Roses – Unconditional love
• 99 Roses – I will love you all the days of my life
• 108 Roses – Will you marry me?
• 999 Roses – I love you till the end of time

What to Do

With the lists above you should be able to assemble a meaningful gift of flowers or a bouquet that conveys a complex thought. Wrap the flowers appropriately and present them in a significant manner. Then, just to be certain that your efforts are not misinterpreted, include a card that fully explains the meaning of your flowers.

After a few flower presentations you should be able to drop the explanatory notes and begin enjoying and sharing the silent language of flowers.

Garry Gamber is a public school teacher and entrepreneur. He writes articles about real estate, health and nutrition, and Internet dating services. He is the owner of Anchorage Alaska Homes for Sale and The Dating Advisor.