The Lost Art of Talking With Flowers; The Language of Flowers
Did you know that each flower has a meaning?
Did you know that during the Victorian Era flowers had a certain meaning to them?
People wore tussie mussies, and also gave them away as gifts. Tussy mussies were flowers delicately folded into a lace handkerchief or inserted into a metal vase. They were also used to make themselves smell better, as they did not wear deodorant.
Bouquets were put together by what the flower stood for. The flower arrangements had a message. People used the flowers as a symbol to communicate words.
Today, with more flowers, and more ways to communicate the meaning of flowers is becoming a lost art.
The Meanings of Flowers
These are just a few flowers and their meanings.
Allspice shows compassion for the person.
Apple Blossom is the flower to be used to show someone that you are shy about loving them.
Amaranth would relay the message of fidelity.
Ambrosia told the one who loved you that the loved was reciprocated
Arbutus conveys the message “Only Thee I do Loveâ€
Aster is the symbol of love
Baby’s Breath is the symbol for happiness, which is why it is used in many wedding bouquets
Bittersweet relays the message of truth to the recipient.
Carnation (Red) means admiration of the heart.
Carnation (Pink) is use to say “ I will not forget youâ€. It is also used for Mother’s Day bouquets.
Cedar Leaf would be added to a bouquet to let someone know “I live for youâ€.
Cinnamon is the symbol for love and beauty.
Coreopsis is added to bouquets to show cheerfulness.
Dahlia would be used to show someone that they had good taste.
Daisy means gentleness, a sense of innocence and loyal love always.
Dandelion is used to show love , faithfulness, and happiness.
Dogwood is the symbol for durability.
Edelweiss shows that a person is noble towards you.
Eglantine is used in Spring bouquets and means Poetry.
Elderberry Blossom is used in arrangements to show humility and kindness towards a person.
Everlasting flower is used to show someone constancy in love.
Fennel is a symbol to show strength.
Fern shows the meaning of confidence and a fascination for the person.
Forget-Me-Not is used to show a love that is faithful and to show that person will not be forgotten.
Forsythia shows the meaning of anticipation.
Fuchsia means amiability and friendship.
Gardenia means you love the person secretly
Gillyflower shows the person that you have bonds of affection.
Gladiolus means I am sincere in the way I feel for you.
Gloxinia is used in bouquets for love at first sight.
Heather shows the person you admire them.
Heliotrope means eternal love and devotion.
Honeysuckle means you have a sweat disposition
Hyacinth (Purple) added to a arrangement show sorrow for something you have done.
Iris is chosen to show your faith, or friendship. It is also chosen to say “You mean the world to meâ€
Ivy is added to wedding bouquets to show fidelity, love, friendship, and affection.
Jasmine is used to show happiness, cheerfulness and amiability
Jonquil is used to show that affection is returned. Used for sympathy as well.
Larkspur shows the person that your heart is open to love and kindness.
Laurel is used for bouquets for success in love and other areas.
Lilac (Purple) is used to show someone that you love them, and want to know if they love you.
Lilac (White) shows the meaning of my first dream of love.
Lily means purity, or virginity. It is often used in wedding bouquets.
Lily-Of-The-Valley is put in arrangements to show purity, and sweetness.
Magnolia means splendid beauty
Marjoram is used to show comfort and compassion
Mistletoe means affection or love. It is used most often around the holiday seasons.
Mimosa shows someone that you are sensitive.
Myrtle means love or joy. It is often used in wedding bouquets.
Oleander signifies beauty and grace.
Orange Blossom is used to show eternal love
Orchid is used in arrangements to show love, beauty and magnificence.
Pansy is used to show someone you are thinking of them.
Passionflower shows the person you have faith in them.
Peach Blossom is used in wedding arrangements to show hope for the bride for a happy marriage.
Peony is used in arrangements for healing and life. It is also used for happiness in a marriage.
Peppermint is used to show someone you have warm feelings for them.
Phlox shows someone that you want them to have sweet dreams.
Plum Blossom is used for beauty and long life.
Primrose is given to someone show them love, and you can’t live without them.
Queen Anne’s Lace is used to show someone “you are my fantasyâ€.
Rose (Coral) shows you desire the person.
Rose (Light Pink) is added to a bouquet when you admire a person.
Rose (Pale Pink) shows that you have a great friendship with the person.
Rose(Pink) shows the person you have perfect happiness with them.
Rose (Red) means you love, desire and respect the person.
Rose (White) is used to show someone they are charming, and think they are heavenly.
Rose (Yellow) is used to show friendship, happiness, and sometimes jealousy.
Salvia (Blue) is used to show someone you are thinking of them.
Snapdragon would be put in a bouquet to show the lady you think she is gracious.
Snowdrops are used to shoe hope and used in arrangements for consolation.
Spider Flower is given when you want someone to elope with you.
Statice means lasting beauty. It is used in many flower arrangements.
Stephanotis is used in wedding bouquets for happiness in the marriage.
Sunflowers are used in arrangements to show your devotion to someone.
Sweet Basil is used to wish someone good luck.
Sweet Pea is added to show pleasure of a lovely time.
Sweet William put into an arrangement means perfection.
Thrift is used in sympathy and condolences bouquets.
Thyme is used as a symbol for courage in life and love.
Tulip is the symbol of the perfect lover. A red tulip is used to declare your love to someone
Violet means simple modesty.
Viscaria added to a tussy mussy meant, “Will you save a dance for me?â€
Zinnia is sent to friends that are absent from your life to show them lasting affection.
The next time you order flowers, you will know what to send. If you were going to send a bouquet of flowers, which ones would you put into it?