What are you saying with flowers?
Red roses are most popular on Valentine’s Day, symbolizing true love and romance.
Lilac roses indicate love at first sight.
Orange roses symbolize desire
Pink roses evokes gratitude and admiration, such as friendship
White roses are a symbol of innocence, purity or reverence.
Yellow roses are the preferred rose for a dear friend, symbolizing joy and friendship.
Red and white roses in a bouquet symbolize unity (pure love and passionate love).
Pink and white roses represent contentment.
Yellow and orange roses together display passion.
As for the dozen? That’s one rose for each month of the year.
Carnations come in a variety of colors, with each one having a different meaning.
Dark-red carnations: Deep love and affection.
Light-red carnation: admiration
Pink carnation: unforgettable love
Purple carnation: capriciousness (which means unpredictable or witty)
White carnation: good luck or pure love
Yellow carnation: disappointment
Striped carnation: regret
Blue Hyacinths: Sincerity
Casablanca Lily (white lily): beauty, class, style and celebration.
Chrysanthemums (mums): Truth, positivity and cheerfulness - however in France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, China, Japan and Korea mums are used only for funerals or on graves
Daffodils: Chivalry (when given in multiple)
Daisies: Beauty, purity and innocence
Freesias: Trust
Gardenia: Joy, purity and old-fashioned, traditional love.
Geranium: Comfort
Gladioli: Strength of character, sincerity and moral integrity
Globe Amaranth: Unfading love
Gloxinias: Love at first sight
Hibiscus: Beauty
Irises: Compliments and also faith, inspiration and royalty.
Lilac: Innocence
Lily of the Valley: Completion
Orchid: Love, luxury, strength and delicate beauty
Pansies: Loving thoughts
Peonies: Riches, honor and prosperity, and omen of good fortune and a happy marriage
Pink Hyacinths: Playfulness.
Poppies: Pleasure and imagination.
Red Tulips: A declaration of love
Daffodil: Misfortune (when only one is given)
Lavender: Distrust
Marigolds: Greed and selfishness
Petunias: Anger
Snapdragons: Deception
Sweetpeas: Goodbye
Color Meaning:
Blue: Peace, openness, and serenity
Pink: Grace, gentility, happiness, youth, innocence and joy
Purple: Royalty, dignity, pride and success.
Red: Desire, strength, passionate love, beauty, courage and heat
White: Innocence, humility, reverence, simple beauty, modesty and elegance
Yellow: Joy, lightheartedness, friendship, new beginnings and happiness
Orange: Energy, enthusiasm, warmth, confidence, satisfaction and a passion for life
Green: Health, resilience, good fortune, youth, optimism and renewal
Lavender: Refinement, grace, elegance and feminine beauty
photo credit: The Little Flower School Brooklyn: a teaching project by Nicolette Owen (Nicolette Camille) and Sarah Ryhanen (Saipua). Classes are seasonally oriented and often exalt a particular flower or design concept.
