
07 Feb A Gift of Meaning
The gift of fresh flowers is an art derived from a long, storied past. Evidence of flower arrangements or plants being gifted can be traced throughout mankind, but it was the Victorian era that first began to publish the true ‘language of flowers’, known as Floriography.
During this time, dictionaries were published containing the hidden meanings behind each variety of fresh flowers and plants, since they were used as a means of communication at the time. To this day, you’ll find that every flower has a meaning and significance behind the bouquet.
Whether it’s a show of love, gratitude, apology, sympathy, thanks, celebration, appreciation, the welcoming of a new life or bidding farewell to another, many find that fresh flowers speak when words fail.
Across all three of our Damselfly brands (Damselfly Designs, Damselfly Flowers and Damselfly Direct), we offer a wide array of gifting options. Whether it’s a custom mixed flower bouquet made from her favorite roses, a gift card to one of our flower shops for a friend to decorate their new home, a farm fresh flower box subscription or the gift of a bridal wedding bouquet, flowers are a timeless gift that hold an even greater significance once you learn their individual meanings.
The symbolic meaning for various flowers, herbs and plants has developed over the years and certain definitions vary a bit depending on the culture, country, or tradition. There are still many that maintain the same allegory as they did when pen was initially put to paper in the Victorian era. Sourced from The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the below chart mainly reflects that original Victorian definition.
There are also very specific meanings attributed to colors, but we’ll save that for another day!
Symbolic meanings of herbs, flowers and other plants | |
Abatina | Fickleness |
Acanthus | The fine art, artifice |
Aloe | Affection, also grief |
Amaryllis | Pride |
Anemone | Forsaken, sickness |
Angelica | Inspiration |
Apple blossom | Preference |
Arborvitae | Unchanging friendship |
Aster | Symbol of love, daintiness |
Bachelor’s button | Single blessedness |
Sweet Basil | Good wishes |
Bay tree | Glory |
Begonia | Beware, dark thoughts |
Belledonna | Silence |
Bittersweet | Truth |
Black-eyed Susan | Justice |
Bluebell | Humility, constancy |
Borage | Bluntness, directness |
Butterfly weed | Let me go |
Camellia, pink | Longing for you |
Camellia, red | You’re a flame in my heart |
Camellia, white | You’re adorable |
Candytuft | Indifference |
Carnation | Women, love |
Alas for my poor heart, my heart |
– Red carnation | aches |
– White carnation | Innocence, pure love, women’s good luck gift |
– Pink carnation | I’ll never forget you |
– Striped | Refusal |
– Yellow carnation | Disdain, disappointment, rejection |
Chamomile | Patience in adversity |
Chives | Usefulness |
Chrysanthemum, red | I love you |
Chrysanthemum, yellow | Slighted love |
Chrysanthemum, white | Truth |
Clematis | Mental beauty |
Clematis, evergreen | Poverty |
Clover, white | Think of me |
Columbine | Foolishness, folly |
Columbine, purple | Resolution |
Columbine, red | Anxious, trembling |
Coreopsis | Always cheerful |
Coriander | Hidden worth/merit |
Crab blossom | Ill nature |
Crocus, spring | Youthful gladness |
Cyclamen | Resignation, diffidence |
Daffodil | Regard, unequalled Love |
Dahlia, single | Good taste |
Daisy | Innocence, hope |
Dill | Powerful against evil |
Edelweiss | Courage, devotion |
Fennel | Flattery |
Fern | Sincerity, humility; also, magic and bonds of love |
Forget-me-not | True love memories, do not forget me |
Gardenia | Secret love |
Geranium, oak-leaved | True friendship |
Gladiolus | Remembrance |
Goldenrod | Encouragement, good fortune |
Heliotrope | Eternal love, devotion |
Hibiscus | Delicate beauty |
Holly | Foresight |
Hollyhock | Ambition |
Honeysuckle | Bonds of love |
Hyacinth | Sport, game, play |
– Blue Hyacinth | Constancy |
– Purple Hyacinth | Sorrow |
– Yellow Hyacinth | Jealousy |
– White Hyacinth | Loveliness, prayers for someone |
Hydrangea | Gratitude for being understood; |
frigidity and heartlessness | |
Hyssop | Sacrifice, cleanliness |
Iris | A message |
Ivy | Friendship, fidelity, marriage |
Jasmine, white | Sweet love, amiability |
Jasmine, yellow | Grace and elegance |
Lady’s Slipper | Capricious beauty |
Larkspur | Lightness, levity |
Lavender | Distrust |
Lemon balm | Sympathy |
Lilac | Joy of youth |
Lily, calla | Beauty |
Lily, day | Chinese emblem for mother |
Lily-of-the-valley | Sweetness, purity, pure love |
Lotus Flower | Purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration, and rebirth |
Magnolia | Love of nature |
Marigold | Despair, grief, jealousy |
Marjoram | Joy and happiness |
Mint | Virtue |
Morning glory | Affection |
Myrtle | Good luck and love in a marriage |
Nasturtium | Patriotism |
Oak | Strength |
Oregano | Substance |
Pansy | Thoughts |
Parsley | Festivity |
Peony | Bashful, happy life |
Pine | Humility |
Poppy, red | Consolation |
Rhododendron | Danger, beware |
Rose, red | Love, I love you. |
Rose, dark crimson | Mourning |
Rose, pink | Happiness |
Rose, white | I’m worthy of you |
Rose, yellow | Jealousy, decrease of love, infidelity |
Rosemary | Remembrance |
Rue | Grace, clear vision |
Sage | Wisdom, immortality |
Salvia, blue | I think of you |
Salvia, red | Forever mine |
Savory | Spice, interest |
Snapdragon | Deception, graciousness |
Sorrel | Affection |
Southernwood | Constancy, jest |
Spearmint | Warmth of sentiment |
Speedwell | Feminine fidelity |
Sunflower, dwarf | Adoration |
Sunflower, tall | Haughtiness |
Sweet pea | Delicate pleasures |
Sweet William | Gallantry |
Sweet woodruff | Humility |
Tansy | Hostile thoughts, declaring war |
Tarragon | Lasting interest |
Thyme | Courage, strength |
Tulip, red | Passion, declaration of love |
Tulip, yellow | Sunshine in your smile |
Valerian | Readiness |
Violet | Loyalty, devotion, faithfulness, modesty |
Wallflower | Faithfulness in adversity |
Willow | Sadness |
Yarrow | Everlasting love |
Zinnia | Thoughts of absent friends |