Friday, June 1, 2012

The Meaning of Flowers

Flowers can express what words cannot.  In Victorian times where people used symbols and gestures to communicate as much as words, the meaning of flowers played an important role. But today, with so many flower choices, there are no rules. Flowers are used in weddings to provide decor and express the couple's unique and individual style. Many people assign their own personal meanings - a flower or color that might remind them of a special event or moment in their lives.  I think it's beautiful exploring the deeper meaning of flowers for your wedding.  It brings more romance to such a special and momentous day.  Maybe instead of looking at a bride's bouquet as just roses, orchids, and hydrangeas, we can look at it as the bride expressing unity, perseverence, and delicate beauty as she carries her bouquet down the aisle to her waitng groom.  For those of us interested in all things vintage, here's a list compiled by the Societ of American Florist on the traditional meanings of flowers used during the Victorian Era:

Alstroemeriaaspiring
Amaryllisdramatic
Anemonefragile
Apple Blossompromis
Astercontentment
Azaleaabundance
Baby's Breathfestivity
Bachelor Buttonanticipation
Begoniadeep thoughts
Black-Eyed Susanencouragement
Camelliagraciousness
Carnation
   pinkgratitude
   redflashy
   stripedrefusal
   whiteremembrance
   yellowcheerful
Chrysanthemum
   bronzeexcitement
   whitetruth
   redsharing
   yellowsecret admirer
Cosmospeaceful
Crocusforesight
Daffodilchivalry
Delphiniumboldness
Daisyinnocence
Freesiaspirited
Forget-Me-Notremember me forever
Gardeniajoy
Geraniumcomfort
Gingerproud
Gladiolusstrength of character
Heathersolitude
Hibiscusdelicate beauty
Hollydomestic happiness
Hyacinthsincerity
Hydrangeaperseverance
Irisinspiration
Ivyfidelity
Jasminegrace and elegance
Larkspurbeautiful spirit
Lavenderdistrust
Lilacfirst love
Lily
Callaregal
Casablancacelebration
Dayenthusiasm
Stargazerambition
Lisianthuscalming
Magnoliadignity
Marigolddesire for riches
Nasturtiumpatriotism
Orange Blossomfertility
Orchiddelicate beauty
Pansyloving thoughts
Passion flowerpassion
Peonyhealing
Poppyconsolation
Queen Anne's Lacedelicate femininity
Ranunculusradiant
Rhododendronbeware
Rose
   pinkfriendship
   redpassionate love
   red & whiteunity
   whitepurity
   yellowzealous
Snapdragonpresumptuous
Star of Bethlehemhope
Stephanotisgood luck
Staticesuccess
Sunfloweradoration
Sweetpeashyness
Tuberosepleasure
Tulip
   pinkcaring
   purpleroyalty
   reddeclaration of love
   whiteforgiveness
   yellowhopelessly in love
Violetfaithfulness
Wisteriasteadfast
Yarrowgood health
Zinniathoughts of friends

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