Flower Meanings

Deciding to give a floral gift might be easy, but before you hand them off, take the time to make the present meaningful. Here, we break down the traditional meanings behind some common flowers and their many colors.

Flowers Defined

Buttercup: Brighten someone's day with a buttercup or two, which represent cheerfulness.

Carnation: Carnations are a sign of love; the kind of love depends on the color. Red carnations, for example, represent longing, while striped carnations represent a refusal of love.

Daisy: Daisies are perfect for sweet bouquets for little girls, as they represent innocence.

Hyacinth: Gentlemen, you may want to forego those make-up roses for your lady; purple hyacinths are the true sign of regret and apology.

Iris: Irises, which represent faith, hope, and courage, are a perfect gift for friends going through tough times.

Lily: In general, lilies are a sign of protection. Traditional white Easter lilies represent purity and majesty.

Orchid: Orchids represent love, beauty, and, perhaps because of their singular symmetry, refinement.

Rose: As you can imagine, roses are synonymous with love, as are their oft-used counterpart Baby's Breath. Should you receive roses, respond with a bouquet of ambrosia, which symbolizes love returned.

Tulip: Tulips also are a sign of love as well as charity.

The Signs of the Rainbow

Red: love, passion, impulsiveness

Orange: confidence, kinship, enthusiasm

Yellow: joy, friendship, new beginnings, jealousy

Green: health, stability, resilience

Blue: calm, harmony, openness

Purple: pride, success, admiration

Lavender: refinement, femininity

Pink: youth, sweetness, innocence

White: purity, peace, respect