Flowers For Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow and while millions of Valentine cards will be given, many people will also be buying flowers for someone special. The ancient Greeks associated flowers with the gods and assigned a very high importance to them.  Evidence exists that the giving of flowers as a gesture and a gift has been a significant part of many cultures since the Middle Ages.

In the old days, flowers had a symbolic meaning and were sent to convey a message.  In Victorian times especially, people did not believe in showing emotion but it was considered acceptable to send messages through the giving of flowers. 

A great amount of effort and detail were put into giving meaning to the flowers that were sent.  The color, size, condition of a flower and even the flower’s position next to other flowers all conveyed meaning to the recipient.  A single flower might have one meaning and a huge bouquet another, but the intent was to express love, remembrance, apology, support or simply to be a thoughtful gesture for another.

Books and guides were written during this time to serve as decoders of these unspoken messages.  Most included meanings of just the more common flowers, while others went so far as to include less common flowers as well as the meanings of trees and tree leaves.

The practice of flower giving has evolved since Victorian times, and most people no longer know the old-fashioned meaning of flowers.  However, flowers are still used to convey sentiments and messages to others even though in today’s world it could be through either real or virtual flower deliveries.

Everyone likes to receive flowers so in honor of Valentine’s Day I thought it might be fun to look up some of the flower meanings from the “old” days.  This will help you choose the right flowers for that special someone!

Roses are the most popular flower to give on Valentine’s Day and according to Google, 250,000,000 roses will be produced to celebrate the holiday this year.  So, let’s begin with the meaning of roses.

Red rose-True love, romance, beauty and perfection

Pink rose-Admiration, gratitude

Lavender rose-Enchantment

Yellow rose-Friendship

White rose-I am worthy of you

Sweetheart rose-You’re a sweet girl

Orchid-You’re beautiful

Tulip-I love you or perfect love

Daisy-We understand one another or innocence

Gerbera Daisy-Beauty, innocence and purity (My daughter’s favorite.)

Sunflower-Adoration, loyalty, and longevity

Lily-Refined beauty, class and style

Lily of the Valley-Happiness

Myrtle-Love

Dahlia-Dignity, inner strength and change

Alstroemeria-Friendship and devotion

Iris-Faith and hope

Gardenia-Purity, joy and old-fashioned love

Daffodil-You’re the only one for me

Zinnia-Lasting affection, friendship

Bluebell-Constancy

White camellia-Perfect excellence

Mimosa-Sensitivity

Aster-Wisdom, love, and patience

Carnation-Fascination and new love (Don’t…I’ve never met a woman who is excited about receiving Carnations.)

Hydrangea-Gratitude and heartfelt emotion

Magnolia-Love of nature, sweetness, nobility and perseverance

I hope you all give and/or receive flowers…and lots of love tomorrow.