The Language of Flowers
"As gallant as giving a posy may be, it is the secret message delivered via each individual flower that provides the overall symbolism of the presentation of the tidy bouquet, since a little can, in fact, mean a lot." — S. Theresa Dietz, Author of The Complete Language of Flowers
In most cultures around the world, trees, shrubs, flowers and herbs, have a special significance in terms of healing on a physical, psychological or spiritual level. I have chosen to use a combination of the Victorian version of the “language of flowers,” supported by my own experience of over 35 years of growing and using the plants, to convey the message you are receiving or are giving to someone.
See the table below to learn more about the meaning of some of the flowers we use, or their "poetry" as we like to call it!
What's in a name? Very important information!
Horticulturalists like myself, and most florists, would know the Latin name of a particular plant as this is the only way to truly identify what plant, flower, herb or shrub it is. A plant's Latin name is made up of at least 2 words. For example, English Lavender is called Lavandula angustifolia. "Lavandula" is the genus and "angustifolia" is the species.
A variety of English Lavender, such as "Hidcote" would be called, Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'. The first word of the Latin name is always capitalized and the second is not. The third name is usually capitalized and in single quotes, like 'Hidcote', above. You will often see Latin names in italics, but the trend in today's writing is to use less italics, so I am not using italics below.
* I am using only the first word in the Latin name, which denotes the genus As there are many species and cultivars of each species, I have not included the second and third Latin names which denote the species and cultivar. Also, as common names of many plants vary from region to region and country to country, I have used what is common knowledge in my area.
** Many flowers may have different meanings that could even contradict each other. I have used the most positive meanings and the ones I feel best represent the plant.
|
Flower, Herb, Shrub Latin name / common name* |
PHOTO |
Meaning or symbolism based on the European Language of Flowers** |
|
Alstroemeria / Peruvian Lily |
Strong bond, longevity, prosperity |
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| Amaranthus / Amaranth / Celosia |
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Everlasting friendship, affection, unfading love, healing, protection |
| Anemone / Wind Flower |
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Healing, love, hope, protection |
| Anethum / Dill | Good cheer, luck | |
| Antirrhinum / Snapdragon |
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Strength, freedom, creativity |
| Anthurium / Painted Tongue | Adoration, happiness, sensuality | |
| Artemisia / Dusty Miller |
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Dignity, spirituality, good luck |
| Amellus/ Aster | Elegance, symbol of love, wisdom | |
| Calendula / Pot Marigold |
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Affection, health, longevity, grace |
| Callistephus / China Aster |
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Talisman of love, elegance, fidelity |
| Campanula / Bellflower | Gratitude, thinking of you | |
| Centaurea / Cornflower |
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Hope, love, patience |
| Chrysanthemum / Mums | Cheerfulness (esp. under adversity), happiness, loveliness, in love | |
| Cosmos / Cosmos |
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Joy in love and life, harmony, beauty, tranquility |
| Dahlia / Dahlia |
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Gratitude, dignity, eloquence |
| Delphinium / Delphinium / Larkspur |
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Big-hearted, fun, heavenly, light, well-being |
| Dianthus / Sweet William Different colours have different meanings |
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Bonds of affection, health and energy, good luck, dignity, pure love, woman's love, strength, self-esteem, gratitude |
| Digitalis / Foxglove | Magic, protection, a wish, youth | |
| Echinacea / Coneflower |
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Good health, immunity, strength |
| Eryngium / Sea Holly | Independence, attraction, good luck | |
| Eucalyptus / Eucalyptus / Gum Tree | Healing, good health, protection | |
| Foeniculum / Fennel | Courage, healing, protection, endurance, longevity, strength | |
| Freesia / Freesia | Faithfulness, trust, motherly love, joy | |
| Gerbera / Gerbera Daisy | Friendship, strength, innocence, purity | |
| Gladiolus / Glad |
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Generosity, integrity, remembrance, strength. Flower of the gladiators! |
| Gomphrena / Globe Amaranth |
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Endless love, immortality, protection |
| Gypsophila / Baby's Breath |
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Everlasting love, pure of heart, sweet beauty, happiness, festivity |
| Hedera / Ivy | Wedded love, fidelity, affection, friendship, marriage | |
| Helianthus / Sunflower |
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Good luck, devotion, strength, Warmth, prosperity |
| Humulus / Hop |
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Healing, sleep |
| Hyacinthus / Hyacinth | Faith, happiness, love, protection | |
| Hydrangea / Hydrangea |
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Thank you, appreciation, devotion, praise, remembrance |
| Hyssopus / Hyssop | Holiness, healing, protection, spiritual cleansing | |
| Ilex / Holly | Courage, good cheer, good luck, protection, foresight, wisdom, Man's symbol | |
| Iris / Iris | Faith, healing, magic, protection, wisdom, power | |
| Jasminum / Common Jasmine | Cheerfulness, wealth, hope divination | |
| Lavandula / Lavender |
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Devotion, faith, love, humility, trust |
| Leucanthemum / Field Daisy | Cheer, faith, loyal love, patience | |
| Liatris / Purple Poker |
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Happiness, joy |
| Lilium / Lily |
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Beauty, birth, devotion, divinity, majesty, purity |
| Limonium / Statice |
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Joyous, lasting beauty, remembrance, sympathy |
| Lupinus / Lupins | Imagination, portal to fairy world! | |
| Matthiola / Stock |
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Bonds of affection, lasting beauty |
| Melissa / Lemon Balm | Healing, regeneration, sympathy | |
| Mentha / Mint | Warmth of feeling, love, virtue, wisdom | |
| Monarda / Bee Balm |
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Changeable, whimsical, clarity |
| Narcissus / Daffodil | Clarity of thought, new beginnings, rebirth, renewal, respect | |
| Ocimum / Basil | Best wishes, sacred, good luck | |
| Orchidaceae / Orchid | Beauty, fertility, love, affection, understanding, wisdom | |
| Origanum / Oregano | Soothing, good luck, joy | |
| Paeonia / Peony |
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Beauty, compassion, happy marriage, healing, loyalty, prosperity |
| Papaver / Poppy | Imagination, pleasure, peace, luck | |
| Pelargonium / Scented Geranium | Friendship, happiness, health, love, protection, prosperity | |
| Picea / Spruce | Hope in adversity, endurance, farewell | |
| Pinus / Pine | Courage, boldness, endurance, longevity, loyalty | |
| Pteridophyta / Ferns | Protection, riches, luck, health | |
| Ranunculus / Persian Buttercup |
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Charm, self-esteem, beautiful, wealth |
| Rosa / Rose: different colours have various meanings as follows: | ||
| Coral |
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Desire, passion, enthusiasm |
| Lavender | Enchantment, love at first sight | |
| Orange | Passion, wonder, enthusiasm, desire | |
| Peach | Appreciation, gratitude, modesty, sincerity | |
| Pink |
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Elegance, energy, joy grace, happiness, secret love, romance, trust thankfulness |
| Red |
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Passion, beauty, respect, I love you, courage, congratulations |
| White |
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Eternal love, charm reverence, heavenly, virtue, youthfulness |
| Yellow |
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Caring, friendship, joy, platonic love, remember me, welcome back |
| Rosmarinus / Rosemary | Remembrance, friendship, loyalty, memory, vitality, fidelity | |
| Rudbeckia / Black-eyed Susan |
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Justice, pure minded, healing |
| Salix / Willow | Healing, recovery, blessing protection | |
| Salvia / Sage | Longevity, healing, good health, cleansing, protection, wisdom | |
| Sambucus / Elder | Renewal, transformation, rebirth, compassion | |
| Scabiosa / Pincushion Flower | Admiration, comfort during loss, mournful, widowhood | |
| Solidago / Goldenrod | Encouragement, good fortune, strength, success | |
| Symphytum / Comfrey | protection, restoration, healing, safe travels | |
| Syringa / Lilac | Memory, reminder of young love, youthful innocence | |
| Tagetes / Marigold | Creativity, passion | |
| Tamacetum / Feverfew |
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Good health, protection |
| Taraxacum / Dandelion | Prosperity, happiness, wish magic | |
| Thymus / Thyme | Courage, beauty, friendship, joy, healing, purification | |
| Tropaeolum / Nasturtium |
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Maternal and Paternal love, conquest, victory, splendor, protection |
| Tulipa / Tulip: different colours have various meanings as follows: | In general: new beginnings, spring, romance, opportunity, spiritual awareness, imagination | |
| Orange | Fascination | |
| Pink | Perfect love | |
| Purple | Eternal love | |
| Red | Declaration of love, charity, belief | |
| White | Forgiveness, sincerity | |
| Yellow | Hopeless love, sunshine | |
| Verbena / Common Vervain | Cooperativeness, enchantment, healing, hope, creativity, safety | |
| Veronica / Speedwell | Faithful, fidelity | |
| Viola / Violet / Pansy / Heartsease |
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Affection, honesty, loyalty, thoughtful, artistic ability |
| Zantedeschia / Calla Lily | Beauty, transition and growth, modesty, spirituality | |
| Zinnia / Zinnia |
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Friendship, I miss you, loyalty, thoughts of friends |
References:
1. S. Theresa Dietz, The Complete Language of Flowers. 2020
1. S. Theresa Dietz, The Complete Language of Flowers. 2020
2. Teresa H. Sabankaya, The Posy Book. 2019