Colorado Retail Florists Association

	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. "Those who do not have enough time for good health, will not have good health for enough time" -- Paul Bragg
White	White is used as a symbol for purity. You will see white used on occasions that commemorate Christ's life on earth, like Christmas, Easter, and Ephiphany. The purity of white is appropriate for new birth, and therefore is used for baptism. It is also used for other important events in the lives of people, such as weddings and funerals. White is the presence of all colors.
Red	Red is used to symbolize both the fire of the Holy Spirit and martyrdom. Since it is also the frequent color of choice for ordinations and consecrations, one is left somewhat confused as to whether the red is symbolic of the descent of the Hold Spirit upon the newly ordained or the new bishop, or in anticipation of a new church martyr.
Purple	Purple is used for penitence and to indicate sorrow. However, purple is also used as a symbol for royalty.
Green	Green is the symbol of life. It is also the symbol for growth, fertility, and spring.
Blue	Blue is also used as a symbol for penitence. No one is quite certain whether blue or purple provides a more meaningful outward sign of a contrite spirit. However, blue is also used for penitential preparation, as during Advent. It is also traditionally the color assigned to the Virgin Mary.
Rose	The color "rose" is used for the Fourth Sunday in Lent and Third Sunday in Advent.