The Language of Flowers

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Acacia

Beauty in retirement

Acorn

Nordic symbol of life and immortality

Agapanthis

Secret love

Ambrosia

"Your love is returned"

Anemone

Sincerity; forsaken

Aster

Symbol of love

Azalea

"Take care of yourself"; Chinese symbol for womanhood

B

Bachelor's Button

Single blessedness; hope in solitude

Begonia

Beware

Bouquet of Withered Flowers

Rejected love

C

Cactus

Endurance

Calladium

Great joy and delight

Camellia

Good luck gift for a man

Carnation

Fascination; love

• Pink Carnation - "I'll never forget you"
• Red Carnation - "My heart aches for you"
• Solid Carnation - "Yes"
• Striped Carnation - "No, I cannot be with you"; refusal
• White Carnation - Sweet and lovely; good luck gift
• Yellow Carnation - Rejection

Chrysanthemum

"You are a wonderful friend"; hope amid darkness

Crocus

Gladness

D

Daffodil

Respect; "The sun always shines when I am with you"

Dahlia

Instability, fickleness

Daisy

Loyal love; purity

E

None

F

Fern

Grace

Fleur de Lis

Flame; burning

Forget-Me-Not

True love; memories

Freesia

Trust

G

Gardenia

"You are lovely"; feminine grace

Geranium

Stupidity; folly

Gerbera Daisy

Purity

Gladiolus

"Give me a break!"; natural grace

H

Heather

Admiration

Hyacinth

"I am sorry, please forgive me"; sorrow (general)

Hydrangea

"Thank you for understanding"

I

Iris

"Your friendship means a lot to me"; compliments; wisdom; faith and hope

J

Jasmine

Good luck, productivity

Jonquil

"Love me"; sympathy

K

None

L

Lilac

Beauty

Lily (White)

Youthful innocence

• Calla Lily - Beauty
• Day Lily - Emblem for motherhood (China)
• Tiger Lily - Prosperity

Lotus

Estranged love

M

Magnolia

Nobility; dignity

Marigold

Grief

N

Narcissus

"Stay as sweet as you are"

O

Orchid

Ecstasy

• Cattleya Orchid - Maturity; charm

P

Palm Leaves

Victory; success

Pansy

Merriment; unspoken communication between lovers (from French pensee, meaning thought)

Peony

Compassion, ability to keep a secret

Petunia

"Your presence soothes me"; resentment; anger

Pine

Hope; pity

Poppy

Eternal sleep; oblivion

Primrose

"I cannot live without you"

Q

None

R

Rose

Love

• Pink Rose - Happiness
• Red Rose - Passion; love
• White Rose - Purity; innocence; love not just of the body, but of the soul
• White & Red Roses - Unity
• Yellow Rose - "I care"; friendship
• Single Rose - "I still love you"

Rosemary

Remembrance

S

Snapdragon

Strength

Stephanotis

Happiness in marriage

Sunflower

Pride; sunshine

Sweet Pea

"Goodbye and thank you for a lovely time"; departure; lasting pleasure or careless luxury

T

Tulip

Perfect lover; luck; floral emblem of Holland

• Red Tulip - Declaration of love
• Yellow Tulip - "There is sunshine in your eyes"; declaration of utter and hopeless love

U

None

V

Violet

Virtue

Viscaria

"Dance with me"

W

Wintergrass

Harmony

Wisteria

Welcome

X

None

Y

Yarrow

Healing

Z

Zinnia

Thinking (in memory) of an absent friend

• Yellow Zinnia - Daily remembrance