Flowers… Flowers are something that we all appreciate. They make our landscapes colorful, perfume our air with their scent, and join us in both our happiness and sadness alike. Out and beyond their inexplicable beauty and biological function, flowers carry some kind of meaning within each culture. As a person, whenever I look around for flowers, everybody gives a little advice on ‘Why don’t you take this flower for this occasion?’ and ‘How about giving this flower according to their personality?’ This made me wonder, how did they end up having meaning? Who gave them their meanings? How did they end up being something so simple to something that has symbolic power?

Recognising nature’s signal

The earliest examples of floral symbolism came with simple observation. It is said that our ancestors must have started connecting the natural world and its way of surviving, its cyclical nature. Every year the blossoming of flowers, which brings the fruit, and changing seasons bring the idea of how everything changes and survives at the same time.

Another idea that could have fueled this could also be the uniqueness of each flower from each other in color, texture, shape, scent, medicinal uses, and culinary uses, which all could contribute to early associations.

Bringing mythology and folklore

As more human societies developed, more narratives and belief systems also developed. Flowers are one of the prominent and striking elements of the natural world. This ended up having a way into different myths, legends, and folklores. Deities are still associated with specific blooms of flowers that became an important symbol within religious rituals and spiritual practices.

Different stories started explaining the origin of flowers as a form of moral lesson or embedding it with a symbolic value. Some stories had a transformation of deities in the form of a flower, associating it with specific emotions and events important for the certain day. Narratives like these provide a framework for understanding and interpreting the language of flowers.

Becoming the language of love and loss

Another connection to the language of flowers also came with it being associated with various types of emotions. The very nature of flowers and their different colors mirrored the feelings of love, joy, sorrow, and remembrance.

The act of giving flowers became a gesture of affection for many, which is recorded in history. A carefully chosen flower conveys admiration, desire, love, gratitude, and many other feelings without a single word. Conversely, flowers also became a poignant symbol of mourning and loss; they adorn the graves of loved ones and represent the meaning of life. The specific colors and the different types of flowers chosen for the occasions are further refined with emotional connotations.

Cultural codes and social practices

As time passed, different cultures developed their systems for incorporating floral symbolism. The symbol changes according to different cultures. A flower that symbolizes something that brings joy and is used on auspicious occasions could be used to grieve for another. These cultural ethics were often embedded in social practices, rituals, and artistic expressions.

The rise of ‘Floriography—the elaborate language of flowers’ happened during the Victorian era. These languages place and present that every flower and bloom has a specific meaning. This intricate system allowed individuals to send discreet messages, sometimes adding a layer of romance and social interaction to these communications. Well, the strict rules of floriography have faded, but the underlying understanding of flowers and their messages still exists.

In Victorian language, the choice of giving a single flower or a bouquet also held significance in sending the message. If it is a single flower, it conveys simplicity, focus, and the initial stages of romance. Whereas a bouquet conveyed complexity and a variety of emotions, and celebratory or special occasions.

Modern world and flowers

Even with our increasingly digitized world, the symbolic meanings of flowers are still sustained. We continue to give flowers according to their meaning and still maintain it in the same way. While nuances of Victorian floriography might be lost, the fundamental understanding of flowers is still deeply ingrained.

The reasons for the same could be multifaceted. Flowers still evoke the same response, still remain tangible as something that could be cherished with the idea of being in the present, and still offer peace and tranquility. The historical and cultural associations have accumulated over centuries and continue to shape our perceptions and interpretations.

In conclusion, the journey of flowers from simple plants to powerful symbols is a testament to the human capacity for observation, storytelling, and emotional connection. Through our interactions with this bloom, we have kept it with layers of meaning that reflect our deepest joys, sorrows, and aspirations.

Here are some examples for a the meanings of flowers:

  • White lilies: in the UK are displayed at funerals, displaying death and sorrow, whereas in Christianity, they represent the Virgin Mary and purity.

  • Chrysanthemums: in China represent longevity and th and the power of life, while in Italy, they are often considered an insult and something given to enemies.

  • Yellow roses: in some cultures, they represent friendship, but in some cultures, such as the UK, they could also represent jealousy, infidelity, or anger.

  • Peonies: in Japan, they are associated with bravery, and white peonies symbolize bashfulness. In Chinese culture, they are known as the “King of the Flowers” and represent wealth, prosperity, and good fortune.

  • Snapdragons: deceit, especially if hidden, but they can also be used to convey graciousness and charm.

  • Marigolds in Mexico are a symbol of remembrance and are used in the Day of the Dead celebrations. In some cultures, they are associated with cruelty or grief.

  • Agapanthu: symbol of love and romance, fertility, beauty, and purity.

  • Anemone: anticipation, mutual respect, bad luck, death, forsaken love, and coming fortune.

  • Bird of paradise: freedom, joy, love, and paradise.

  • Calla lily: the official flower of the 6th marriage anniversary.

  • Clementis: ambition, joy, travel, wisdom, good luck, and ingenuity.

  • Comfrey: due to its healing properties, it is related to medicine and health. It also symbolizes water, the planet Saturn, and a connection to protective magic.

  • Darwin’s slipper: symbol of evolution.

  • Echinacea: health, healing, strength, and well-being.

  • Foxglove has varied symbolism, including links to intuition, pride, creativity, energy, and insincerity.

  • Gerbera daisy: their symbolism differs according to their colors. Pink is for adoration and admiration, red is for love, and yellow is for joy and celebration.

  • Gypsophila are used in boutonnières, bridal bouquets, and corsages.

  • Iris: courage, wisdom, aspiration, and wealth.

  • Lisianthus: appreciation, confidence, gratitude, charisma, charm.

  • Lotus: strength, resilience, rebirth, spiritual awakening, enlightenment.

  • Monkshood: treachery, caution, and danger.

  • Morning glory: often connected with love, but sometimes unrequited or painful love, death, and life.

  • Periwinkle: they are commonly associated with funerals and death, but they could be versatile enough to also be associated with peace and serenity because of their colors.

  • Petunia used to be a symbol for anger and resentment.

  • Sweet pea: bliss, good wishes, gratitude, friendship, and kindness.

  • Tansy: immortality, war, death, hatred, and resistance.

  • Yarrow: symbolically related to the Greek hero Achilles, representing courage, bravery, heroism, and magic.