Flowers may be combined and arranged so as to express even the nicest shades of sentiment. If a flower is offered "reversed", its direct signification is likewise reversed, so that the flower now means the opposite
- A rosebud divested of its thorns, but retaining its leaves conveys the sentiment "I fear no longer; I hope"
- Stripped of leaves and thorns, it signifies "There is nothing to hope or fear".
- A full-blown rose places over two buds signifies "Secrecy".
- Touching the flower given to the lips is implied "Yes".
- Pinching off a petal and casting it away implied "No".
- "I am" expressed by Laurel leaf twined around the bouquet.
- "I have" by an Ivy leaf folded together.
- "I offer you" by a leaf of Virginia creeper.
This whole flower language started in Constantinople in the 1600s, and was brought to England in 1716 by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu who had spent time in Turkey with her husband. The interest then moved to France (of course) where the Book Le Langage des Fleurs was printed with over 800 floral signs. Many were toned down in the English translation at the time of Queen Victoria because they were quite lusty and risque! Here are a few "nice" ones...
FLOWERS AND THEIR MEANING
| Acacia (yellow) |
You are my secret love! |
| Ambrosia |
I love you, too! (returned love) |
| Bachelor's Buttons |
I'm hopeful of love |
| Cactus |
My hearts burns with love for you |
| Carnation |
You are beautiful/handsome |
| Geranium |
You are my true friend |
| Lemon Blossoms |
I promise to be true to you |
| Purple Lilac |
I think I'm falling in love with you |
| Orange Blossoms |
You are pure and lovely |
| Peach Blossoms |
I am yours captive |
| Periwinkle |
I will always remember you |
| Blue Periwinkle |
I am happy to be your friend |
| Ranunculus |
I am very attracted to you |
| Rose |
I love you. I am happily in love with you |
| Red Tulip |
I am irresistibly in love with you |
| Blue Violets |
I will always be faithful to you |
| Zinnia |
I'm missing you |
| Wisteria |
Meeting you means so much to me |
MEANING OF THE ROSES
| Red |
Love, Respect, Courage |
| Yellow |
Joy, Gladness, Friendship |
| Pink/Peach |
Gratitude, Appreciation, Admiration or Sympathy |
| White |
Reverence, Innocence, Secrecy |
| Orange |
Fascination |
| Blue |
Uniqueness |
| Lavender |
Enchantment |
| Two Roses Joined Together |
Engagement |
| Red and White Roses Together |
Unity |
MORE FLOWERS AND THEIR MEANING
| Abor Viate |
Unchanged
|
| Agapanthus |
Secret Love |
| Amaryllis |
Pride, Timidity, Splendid beauty |
| American Cowslip |
Divinity |
| Angelica |
Inspiration |
| Apple Blossom |
Preference |
| Aster |
Afterthought |
| Azalea |
First love, temporary |
| Alyssum, Sweet |
Incomparable worth |
| Arum Lily |
Ardor |
| Austertium |
Splendor |
| Bachelor's Buttons |
Celibacy |
| Belladonna |
Silence |
| Belles of Ireland |
Good Luck |
| Bellflower |
Gratitude |
| Bouvardia |
Enthusiasm |
| Bluebell |
Constancy |
| Bridal Rose |
Happy love |
| Bud of White Rose |
Awakening love |
| Buttercup |
Ingratitude, childishness |
| Cabbage |
Ambassador of love |
| Candy Tuff |
Indifference |
| Caladium |
Great joy and delight |
| Calla |
Magnificent beauty |
| Camellia, Red |
Unpretending excellence |
| Camellia, White |
Perfected loveliness |
| Carnation, Red |
Alas! my poor heart |
| Carnation, Pink |
I'll never forget you |
| Carnation, Purple |
Capriciousness |
| Carnation, Striped |
Sorry I can't be with you |
| Carnation, White |
Innocence |
| Carnation, Yellow |
Disdain |
| China |
Fresh Beauty |
| China, Yellow |
Jealousy |
| China Aster |
Variety |
| China Rose |
Ever new beauty |
| Chrysanthemum, Red |
Love |
| Chrysanthemum, White |
Truth |
| Chrysanthemum, Yellow |
Slighted love |
| Clematis |
Mental beauty |
| Cyclamen |
Diffidence |
| Clover, Four-leaf |
Be mine |
| Clover, White |
Think of me |
| Clover, Red |
Industry |
| Columbine |
Folly |
| Columbine, Purple |
Resolved to win |
| Convolvulus Bond, Blue |
Repose |
| Convolvulus Bond, Pink |
Tender affection |
| Crocus |
Youthful gladness |
| Daffodil |
Regard, you are the only one |
| Dahlia |
Changeable |
| Daisy |
Innocence |
Dandelion |
Love's oracle |
| Geranium, Scarlet |
Consolation |
| Dwarf |
Worship |
| Dead Leaves |
Sadness |
| Deadly Nightshade |
Falsehood |
| Everlasting |
Unceasing remembrance |
| Everlasting Pea |
Continuing pleasure |
| Fern |
Fascination |
| Filbert |
Reconciliation |
| Fleur-de-Lis |
Burning flame |
| Forget-Me-Not |
True love |
| Foxglove |
Insincerity |
| Freesia |
Innocence |
| French |
Country beauty |
| French Marigold |
Jealousy, discontent |
| Fuchsia |
Discernment |
| Fuchia, Scarlet |
Taste |
| Galax |
Encouragement |
| Garden Amenone |
Forsaken |
| Garden |
Sentiments shared |
| Garden Marigold |
Ill at ease |
| Garland of Roses |
Heroes reward, virtue |
| Gardenia |
You are lovely |
| Geranium Dark |
Sadness |
| Geranium Ivy |
Bridal tribute |
| Geranium Lemon |
Surprise meeting |
| Geranium Scarlet |
To comfort |
| Gladiolus |
Strength of character |
| Golden Rod |
Be cautious |
| Great yellow Daffodil |
Chivalry |
| Heliotrope |
Faithful devotion |
| Hibiscus |
Rare beauty |
| Holly |
Am I forgotten, Festivity |
| Hollyhock |
Ambition |
| Honey Flower |
Sweet and secret love |
| Hyacinth |
Sporting |
| Hyacinth, White |
Unobtrusive loveliness |
| Hydrangea |
Callous |
| Ice Plant |
Your looks freeze me, cold hearted |
| Iris |
I have a message for you |
| Iris, Yellow |
Passion |
| Ivy |
marriage |
| Jasmine |
Conviviality |
| Jasmine, Indian |
Attachment |
| Jasmine, Spanish |
Sensuality |
| Jonquils |
I seek your affection |
| Juniper |
Protective, forsaken |
| Lady's Slipper |
Flighty |
| Lavender |
Cautious |
| Lettuce |
Cold-heartedness |
| Lilac, Purple |
First emotion of life, first love |
| Lilac, White |
Youthful innocence |
| Lily, Orange |
Wealth |
| Lily, White |
Sweetness, purity |
| Lily, Yellow |
Gaiety, walking on air |
| Lily of the Valley |
Return of happiness |
| Lotus Flower |
Estranged love, rejected love |
| Love in a Mist |
Uncertainty |
| Magnolia |
Love of nature |
| Marigold |
Grief, vulgar minded |
| Mignonette |
Your qualities surpass your charms |
| Mistletoe |
Difficulties, I surmount |
| Monkhead |
Danger is near |
| Myrtle |
Home, love |
| Narcissus |
Egotism |
| Nasturtium |
Loyalty |
| Oats |
The witching soul of music |
| Orange Blossom |
Your purity equals your loveliness |
| Orange Flower |
Chastity |
| Orchid |
A belle |
| Pansy |
Thoughts, consideration |
| Parsley |
Useful knowledge |
| Passion Flower |
Faith |
| Peach blossom |
I am your captive |
| Pear |
Affection |
| Peony |
Bashfulness |
| Polyanthus |
Price of riches |
| Poppy, Red |
Consolation |
| Poppy, Scarlet |
Extravagance, fantastic |
| Poppy, White |
Sleep |
| Primroses |
Youth |
| Purple Clover |
Husbandry and thrift |
| Quaking Grass |
Agitation |
| Queen Anne's Lace |
Haven |
| Ranunculus |
Radiant charm |
| Rhodadendron |
Danger |
| Rhubarb (!) |
Advice |
| Rose |
Love |
| Rose, Burgundy |
Unconscious love |
| Rose, Chirsmas |
Relieve my anxiety |
| Rose, Damask |
Freshness |
| Rose, Deep Red |
Bashful |
| Rose, Dog |
Pleasures and pain |
| Rose, Pink |
Perfect happiness |
| Rose, Provence |
My heart is in flames |
| Rose, White |
I am worthy of you |
| Rose, Yellow |
Decrease of love, jealousy |
| Rose, Thornless |
Early attachment |
| Rosebud, Moss |
Confession of love |
| Rosebud, Red |
Purity |
| Rosebud, White |
Youth |
| Rosemary |
Sweet remembrance |
| Shamrock |
Lightheartedness |
| Snapdragon |
Presumption |
| Statice |
Remembrance |
| Stephanotis |
Happiness in marriage |
| Stock |
Lasting beauty |
| Straw |
Agreement |
| Straw, Broken |
Broken agreement |
| Sunflower |
Tall pride |
| Sweet Peas |
Delicacy |
| Sweet William |
Bravery |
| Tansy Wild |
Declaration |
| Tiger Flower |
Be my friend |
| Tuberosa |
Dangerour pleasures |
| Tulip |
Fame |
| Tulip, Red |
Declaration of love |
| Tulip, Yellow |
Unrequired love |
| Turnip |
Charity |
| Wall-Flower |
Fidelity in adversity |
| Wax Flower |
Riches |
| Verbena |
Pray for me |
| Veronica |
Fidelity |
| Violet |
Sweet modesty |
| Violet, Blue |
Faithful devotion |
| Water Lily |
Chastity and virtue |
| White |
Purity |
| White Rosebud |
Heart ignorant of love |
| Witch Hazel |
A spell |
Unique Rose |
call me not beautiful |
| Yarrow |
Healing |
| Zinnia |
Thoughts of absent friends |

COMBINATION OF FLOWERS
| Moss Rosebud and Myrtle |
A confession of love |
| Mignonette and Coloured Daisy |
Your qualities surpass your charms of beauty |
| Lily of the Valley and Ferns |
Your unconscious sweetness has fascinated me |
| Yellow Rose, Broken Straw and Ivy |
Your jealousy has broken our friendship |
| Scarlet, Geranium, Passion Flower, Purple Hyacinth, and Arbor Vitae |
I trust you. Will find consolation, through faith, in your sorrow; Be assured of my unchanging friendship
|
| Columbine, Day Lily, Broken Straw, Witch Hazel and Coloured Daisy |
Your folly and coquetry have broken the spell of your beauty |
| White, Pink, Canary Grass and Laurel |
Your talent and perseverance will win you glory |
| Golden-rod, Monkshead, Sweet Pea and Forget-Me-Not |
Be cautious; danger is near; I depart soon; Forget-Me-Not |