Symbolic Meaning of Flowers

Flowers of almost all kinds bring with them some symbolic flower meanings and the Victorian women made an art out of symbolic meaning of flowers. Who can forget the lines “my love is a red-red rose”? Poet here symbolizes his love with a deep red rose. Red rose everywhere means the same and it is deep love. Several other flowers also symbolize love. There is a different symbolic flower meaning to almost all flowers and almost all emotions and feelings can be expressed through flowers like red roses and tulips. The language of flowers appeals to every heart. Young women in the past sent messages of love through carefully arranged flower bouquets where they hid the message by using the symbolic meaning of flowers. From the selection of flowers and theirs color her lover could read the meaning.

The custom of giving symbolic meanings to flowers started with the culture that prevented young men and women to express their feelings in words. They had to find some socially acceptable way to convey what they had in their heart. Thus they started to give symbolic meaning to flowers. A red and white rose held together assured the maiden of actualization of her love. While a white rose bud belittled a girl as too young. In the Victorian age, each flower was assigned a unique symbolic flower meaning. For example lavender heather meant solitude and marigold represented grief and dismay. Sending a Viscaria flower asked: “will you dance with me?” and a water lily represented purity of heart.

If one didn’t know the symbolic meaning of flowers, in that age one was sure to run into trouble. Think about a young man giving his heartthrob a red rose with inverted position (a denial) or a girl plucking away the petals immediately after she receives it. It all do just the opposite of want was meant. The symbolic meaning of flowers also alters with the combination of flowers. The number of roses in the bouquet holds specific meaning.

Symbolic meaning of flowers gained prominence ever-since young Queen Victoria put ivy as symbolic representation of fidelity. The symbolic meaning of white lily is a symbol for the purity of Virgin Mary.

The method of handling, presentation and accepting of the flowers also have certain symbolic meaning. If a red rose is presented in an upright position it means sincerity and affection. But if presented the flower part down it means no-interest. Accepted with right hand symbolizes love in return and accepting with left hand has the symbolic meaning of rejection. A ready ‘Yes’ can be read from the immediate touch of lips and an absolute ‘No’ in pinching off a petal. If a rose is presented with and without thorns symbolize different things.

Tulips also has strong symbolic flower meanings, just like roses. Tulips are also primary declarations of love. A woman while getting a red tulip finds her boy has irresistible love towards her. Yellow tulips symbolize hopeless love that is beyond healing. Red and yellow tulips together mean congratulations. Yellow and orange tulips together indicate passionate thoughts. Red and white in a bundle promises unity. The possible combinations of flowers and symbolical meanings of those flowers are very numerous and it is recommended that you find out the right way to say exactly what you want to say before sending flowers.

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