Different Types of Flowers and their Symbolic Meaning
Ever since the dawn of time the flower has been an integral part of nearly every society in the world. The symbolic meaning of flowers bears significant value to different faiths from Buddhism to Hinduism. Moreover different kinds of flowers are deeply valued in poetry, medicine, astrology, mythology, folklore, religious symbols and academic work. Over the centuries, flowers have enjoyed special interest and affection from lovers and poets through gifts and poems respectively. Without a doubt, from any list of flowers, one can pick out a flower type that conveys some noteworthy meaning. This could reflect any aspect of a person’s life such as their goals and aspirations.
Scented, lively, delightful and multi-colored; Flowers are some of life’s greatest gifts. They serve both artistic and useful purposes in life. For example, in addition to giving plants their attractiveness, they also enhance their survival. This is because it is through the flower that a plant is able to reproduce.
Reproduction in different types of flowers occurs in equally different ways. While some types of flowers will grow from cuttings, other kinds of flowers reproduce from bulbs while others grow from cuttings. Still, other types of flowers will grow from seeds. In addition to these, others are either perennial or annual. As a result, these flower types need not be replanted every year, as they bloom at periodic intervals.
Through their inspirational splendor and pleasant fragrance, different types of flowers have captivated humanity. People from all walks of life express feelings of attraction and affection through the language of flowers. Giving flowers to loved ones on special occasions is a longstanding custom, probably as old as mankind. These take many forms, ranging from wedding flowers, St. Valentine’s Day flowers, sympathy flowers, get-well flowers and even flowers during funerals. Every flower bears some momentous significance. The expressions conveyed will range from romantic feelings, friendship, covetousness, veneration and many more.
Roses are definitely the most popular of all flower types. Other well-known kinds include Tulips, Lilies, Carnations, Chrysanthemums, Narcissus, Gerberas, Poinsettias among others. Why not take some time to study the many types of flowers? There is a never-ending variety of different types out there to choose from. They come in different colors, shapes and sizes. The rarer they are, they more exotic they become. Be it the wildflowers, the grandeur of morning flowers, the alluring daisies or watching the delight of tropical blooms. The range is purely limitless to keep you refreshed for all time.
Acquiring some knowledge on the meaning of flowers will help you send the right message with just the right flower. Always let him or her know what you feel with a bouquet of flowers. Besides, remember to drop some sweet and thoughtful message along. So much can be done with flowers, once you understand the underlying meaning in each one of them.
The stimulating beauty of flowers will continue to fascinate humankind, for many generations to come. The flower is truly one of a kind. Besides bringing forth life, nothing expresses that feeling of love, beauty and pure virtuousness in full quintessence than a flower.
Here is an alphabetical list of flowers and their meanings:
- Absinth (Wormwood): Separation, Love torment
- Acacia: Platonic Love
- Aconite (Monkshood): Misanthropy
- Adam’s Needle: A Friend in Need
- Adonis: Recollection of Life’s Pleasure
- Almond: Virginity, Pureness, Abundance
- Almond Blossom: Hope, Good fortune
- Aloe: Intelligence, Veracity
- Allspice: Sympathy, Kindness
- Alstroemeria - Friendship
- Alyssum: Immense beauty and splendor
- Amaranth: Fidelity
- Amaranth : Constant, Inflexible
- Amaryllis: Splendid beauty, Self-importance
- Ambrosia: Mutual feeling of love
- Anemone: Great expectaction
- Anthurium: Hospitality
- Apple Blossom: Hope and Good fortune
- Apricot Blossom: Timid Love
- Artemesia: Self-respect, Decorum
- Asphodel: Indolence, Remorse
- Aster: Patience and Gracefulness
- Azalea: Transient infatuation
Baby’s Breath: Happiness and Innocence- Begonia: Spectacular, Out of this world.
- Bindweed: Big mouth
- Birds of Paradise: Joyfulness
- Bittersweet: Genuineness, Integrity
- Blackthorn: Intricacy, Severity
- Blue Bell: Daintiness, Modesty, Constancy
- Blue Periwinkle: Friendship
- Blue Violet: Faithfulness, Modesty
- Bouquet of Withered Flowers: Unrequited love
- Bouvardia (Double): Enthusiasm
- Burdock: Dullness
- Buttercup: Pettiness, Cheerfulness, Childish desire
Cactus: Courage, Fortitude- Camellia: Brilliance, Resoluteness
- Camellia (Red): Sweet Heart
- Camellia (White): Delightful
- Camomile: Great Inventiveness
- Candytuft: Coldness; Lack of interest
- Canterbury Bell: Firmness, Consistency
- Cardinal Flower: Worthy of Excellence and Grandeur
- Carnation: Allure, Appealing
- Carnation (Purple): Aversion, Fickleness
- Carnation (Red): Deep Love and Admiration, “I Love You”
- Carnation (Striped): Indifference, Lack of Interest
- Carnation (White): Sweet Love
- Carnation (Yellow): Denunciation, Scorn and contempt
- Cedar Leaf: Deep Love
- Chestnut: Self-dependence
- China Aster: Covetousness
- Chrysanthemum: Great Friendship
- Chrysanthemum (Red): I love you
- Chrysanthemum (White): Candor; Integrity
- Chrysanthemum (Yellow): Unrequited Love
- Cinnamon: Deep affection, Irresistible
- Clematis: Deception, Resourcefulness
- Clove: Decorum
- Clover: Fruitfulness
- Clover (Four leafed): Good Fortune
- Clover (Five leafed): Bad Luck
- Cockscomb: Childishness, Idiocy
- Coltsfoot: A Mother’s Love
- Columbine: Forsaken Love
- Convolvulus: Resilience and Humility
- Coreopsis: Happiness
- Cornflower: Daintiness, Gracefulness
- Crane’s-bill: Dependability, Steadfastness
- Crocus: Delight, Affection, Exuberance
- Crown Imperial: Magnificence, Supremacy
- Cyclamen: Acquiescence, Submission
- Daffodil: High Regard
- Dahlia: Good Taste
- Daisy: Share your feelings, Calmness, Virtue, Undying Love
- Dandelion: Faithfulness, Cheerfulness
- Day Lily: Mother
- Delphinium: Heavenly
- Dogwood: Permanence
Edelweiss: Audacity, Gallantry- Eglantine: Poetic
- Elderberry Blossom: Kindness and Humility
- Everlasting: Loyalty
- Fennel: Strength
- Fern: Honesty, Naturalness, Enthrallment, Self-Assurance
- Forget Me Not: Faithfulness, Cherished Memories
- Forsynthia: Hope
- Freesia: Innocence
- Fuchsia: Cordiality
- Gardenia: Secret Love, Purity, Joy
- Geranium (Oak-leaf): Friendship
- Geranium (Rose): Liking, Fondness
- Gillyflower (Pink): Affection
- Gladiolus: Strength of Character, Honesty
- Gloxinia: Puppy Love
- Goldenrod: Good Fortune
Heather (Purple): Appreciation, Splendor- Heather (Pink): Good Luck
- Heather (White): Security
- Heliotrope: Dedication, Eternal Love
- Hibiscus: Delicate Beauty
- Holly: Insight, Prudence
- Hollyhock: Determination
- Honeysuckle: Sweetness of Disposition
- Hyacinth: Constancy
- Hyacinth (Purple): Remorse
- Hyacinth (White): Exquisiteness, Charm
- Hyacinth (Yellow): Suspicion
- Hydrangea : Pride, Standoffishness
- Iris: Valor, Faith, Wisdom, Invaluable Friendship
- Ivy: Friendship and Affection
Jasmine (Red): Recklessness, Childishness- Jasmine (White): Amiability and Cheerfulness
- Jasmine (Yellow): Humility
- Jonquil: Compassion, Desire
Lady’s Slipper: Capricious Beauty- Larkspur: Sincerity, Light-heartedness
- Laurel: Great accomplishment and Prominence
- Lavender: Distrust
- Lilac (Pink): Young at heart
- Lily (Calla): Magnificent
- Lily (Orange): Abhorrence, Derision, Pride
- Lily (White): Pure and Splendid
- Lily of The Valley: Humility, Virginity, Attractiveness
- Lotus: Secrecy
- Love in the Mist: Gracefulness and Mystification
- Magnolia: Distinction and Magnificent Beauty
- Marigold: Spite, Grief, Envy
- Marjoram: Reassurance
- Marvel of Peru: Flame of Love
- Mistletoe: Fondness
- Mimosa: Warmth
- Myrtle: Love and Joy
- Narcissus: Self-centeredness
- Nasturtium: Patriotism
Oleander: Beauty, Loveliness- Orange Blossom: Purity, Fertility, Innocence, Eternal Love
- Orange Mock: Deceit
- Orchid: Magnificent Beauty, Love
- Pansy: Thoughtfulness
- Piety Peach Blossom: Kindness
- Pear Blossom: Health, Hope
- Peach Blossom: Captive
- Peony: Bashfulness, Happy Life and Marriage
- Peppermint: Warmth
- Periwinkle (Blue): Blossoming Friendship
- Periwinkle (White): Memorable pleasures
- Petunia: Anger, Resentment
- Phlox: Sweet Dreams
- Plum Blossom: Beauty, Longevity
- Poppy: Imagination, Dreaminess
- Poppy (Yellow): Great fortune, Success
- Primrose: Everlasting Love
- Primrose (Evening): Fickleness
Queen Anne’s Lace: Fantasy, Sanctuary - Ranunculus - Radiance
Rose (Bridal): Everlasting Love- Rose (Carolina): Dangerous Love
- Rose (Christmas): Peace, Serenity
- Rose (Coral): Zest, Yearning, Enthusiastic Love
- Rose (Dark Pink): Appreciation
- Rose (Light Pink): Approbation; High regard
- Rose (Musk): Capricious Beauty
- Rose (Pale): Friendship
- Rose (Pink): Everlasting Love, Happiness, Loveliness
- Rose (Pink): Everlasting Love
- Rose (Red): Madly in Love
- Rose (Red & Yellow): Congratulations
- Rose (White): Reverence, Innocence, Loveliness
- Rose (White on Red): Unity/Flower Emblem of England
- Rose (Yellow): Disloyalty, Delight, Friendship, Envy
- Rose (Yellow & Orange): Passionate thoughts
- Rosemary: Firmness, Fidelity and Trustworthiness
- Salvia (Blue): Thinking of You
- Smilax: Charming
- Snapdragon: Presupposition, Dishonesty
- Snowdrop: Anticipation, Reassurance
- Spearmint: Emotion
- Spider Flower: Elope, Let’s flee
- Statice: Enduring Beauty
- Stephanotis: Happy Marriage
- Stock: Affection and Everlasting Beauty
- Sunflower: Adoration, Radiance, Reverence and Dedication
- Sweet Basil: Good Luck
- Sweet Pea: Idyllic pleasure, Deep Appreciation
- Sweet William: Heroism, Finesse, Excellence
- Thrift: Sympathy
- Thyme: Courage
- Tiger Lily: Great fortune, Smugness
- Tuberose: Dangerous Pleasures
- Tulip: Ideal Lover
- Tulip (Red): Affection, Passion, Declaration of love
- Tulip (Variegated): Beautiful eyes
Violet: Modesty, Simplicity- Viscaria: “Dance with me”
- Wallflower: Friendship
- Water Lily: Eloquence and Persuasion
- Wisteria: Youth, Poetry
- Xeranthemum: Eternity, Immortality
- Yarrow: Healing
Zinnia: Thoughts of Absent Friends- Zinnia (Pink): Everlasting Affection
