50 Beautiful Flower Meanings That Will Surprise You


BY LIZZ SCHUMER AND AMANDA GARRITY

 Jan 6, 2021


Everyone knows the phrase, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." And sure, the name of a flower may not carry a whole lot of symbolism — but the meaning behind your favorite blooms can have a significant impact on the Valentine's day gift. You probably choose bouquets based on the types of flowers your recipient likes best, or whichever ones look or smell prettiest. Tulips, for example, are a quick impulse buy at your local grocery store. And roses, obviously, are a romantic gesture for special occasions. But both of these gifts are heavy with meaning.

Turns out, a rose is not simply a rose — it carries a powerful message to its recipient that can turn a regular old bunch of blooms into a beautiful expression of love, gratitude, or friendship. And as you probably know, there are different meanings for different colored roses. While many flowers are linked to romance and passion, you may be shocked to learn that some of the most popular ones actually symbolize negativity, anger, or loss. Before you buy delivery flowers for a family member or your S.O. with accidental funereal connotations, check out these flower meanings from A Victorian Flower Dictionary and The Farmer's Almanac.



1 of 50

Lotus

These flowers grow in the mud. Each night, they return to the mud, and then miraculously re-bloom in the morning. In many Eastern cultures, they signify rebirth, self-regeneration, purity, and enlightenment.



2 of 50

Lily

Lily bouquets are some of the cheeriest ones available — and they have a bright symbolism too. Keep in mind that different colored lilies have different meanings. White ones signify purity, pink ones signify prosperity, red ones signify passion, orange ones signify pride, and yellow ones signify gratitude.



3 of 50

Carnation

These ruffly flowers may be the stuff of high school secret admirers, but they work for a lover on a budget. If you pick up one of these blooms, choose white ("sweet and lovely") or pink ("I will never forget you"). But stay away from other colors. The two-toned version means "I cannot be with you," and the yellow ones signify "disdain." Not exactly a crush-worthy sentiment.



4 of 50

Magnolia

These stunning blooms often festoon the trees as spring arrives, getting everyone who sees them excited for the season to come. That's why it's only logical that they signify a love of nature.



5 of 50

Dahlia

When you hear the name, you probably think of the Black Dahlia. Well, never fear. These ruffled flowers stand for dignity and pomp, so they would feel right at home at a momentous occasion like a graduation or new job.



6 of 50

Iris

These regal blooms have long stood for royalty, but also for wisdom and respect. And their opulent-looking blooms sure suggest the same. That means it's definitely a compliment if you receive a bouquet of irises.



7 of 50

Red Roses

This probably comes as news to exactly no one, but red roses are some of the most romantic flowers out there. These are the perfect bloom for Valentine's Day, representing love and desire.



8 of 50

Daisy

Daisies are the first level of Girl Scouts so it's only fitting that they represent innocence. And with their cheery, sunny little faces, the symbolism definitely makes sense.



9 of 50

Sunflower

Legend has it that when Spanish explorers reached the Americas, they thought sunflowers were made of real gold. Can you blame them? Of course, they were wrong. That's where the sunflower got its symbolism of "false riches."



10 of 50

Red Tulips

Red roses aren't the only flower with a romantic meaning, so you don't have to totally splurge to show your dedication. Red tulips are also considered a declaration of love, and they're especially gorgeous in the spring.



11 of 50

Salvia

Depending on its color, salvia can have several different meanings. Blue salvia (like this one) means "thinking of you," but in red, it means "forever mine." So if you're adding salvia to a sweetheart's bouquet, watch your colors!



12 of 50

Edelweiss

The Sound of Music fans already know the song, but did you know the meaning behind it? Edelweiss stand for courage and devotion, probably because they thrive in harsh Alpine conditions.



13 of 50

Amaryllis

These assertive blooms look like they're just bursting with excitement, which may be why they signify pride. They look like they just accomplished something and can't wait to share it.



14 of 50

Myrtle

If you need the perfect bloom to add to a wedding bouquet, look no further than myrtle. It stands for good luck and love in a marriage, so there's no better flower to carry down the aisle.



15 of 50

Rosemary

Rosemary signifies remembrance, perhaps because it's said to enhance memory. Folk medicine says to wear a sprig of rosemary in your hair to help your recall, or brew some rosemary tea to do the same. We'll drink to that!



16 of 50

Hibiscus

Not only does hibiscus taste delicious in teas and desserts, it also symbolizes delicate beauty. They're also commonly found in Hawaiian hula symbology, since they're the state's official flower.



17 of 50

Pansy

Derived from the French word "pansée," this bloom means thoughtfulness and remembrance. That may be why you often see them planted at funeral plots. They're also hardy little plants, so they work well for those of us who have, um, less-than-green thumbs.



18 of 50

Lavender

From their wonderful scent to their beautiful purple hue, a bouquet of lavender is a message of devotion. It also has calming aromatherapy properties, so a bouquet of lavender may make an excellent gift for a student or anyone in your life who needs some relaxation.



19 of 50

Chrysanthemum

It may be tricky to spell, but the chrysanthemum has a simple message: honesty. They also look lovely as part of a fall bouquet and because they can withstand cool temperatures, often appear in autumn landscaping.


20 0f 50

Black-Eyed Susan

The name of the flower likely comes from an Old English poem by John Gay about a woman by that name. It probably came over during Colonial times, when the settlers sewed the wildflower on the plains where it's now abundant today. The flowers stand for justice, which is a sentiment we can all get behind.


21 of 50

Daffodil

Gift these cheery yellow blooms to someone celebrating a new job, a new home, or a new addition to their family. Daffodils symbolize "new beginnings," so they couldn't be more perfect for any of these occasions.



22 of 50

Zinnia

While they are one of the bolder blooms in a garden, these flowers are actually sentimental. In fact, they serve as a reminder to never forget absent friends. Send them to someone you love who lives far away, for a nice thinking-of-you gift.



23 of 50

Lilac

The meaning of these gorgeous flowers varies depending on the hue. Purple lilacs represent the first emotions of love while magenta lilacs symbolize love and passion, perfect for a more serious lover.



24 of 50

Lily-of-the-Valley

These pretty little bell-shaped flowers carry a message that's just as innocent as they look. They stand for purity, happiness, luck, and humility. Though they smell delicious, don't be fooled: These flowers aren't edible.



25 of 50

Morning Glory

These early risers greet the day with beauty, and they'll take over your yard entirely if you aren't careful. The clingers also represent affection. One look at their smiling faces and it's not hard to see why.



26 of 50

Peony

Oddly enough, these sweet, many-petaled blooms represented "anger" to Victorians. Today, however, peonies are linked to romance, marriage, and even bashfulness.



27 of 50

Purple Crocus

They're the first signs of spring, so it makes sense that crocuses symbolize youthful happiness. It's also the way we feel when we see them start peeking through the snow at the first bit of warmth.



28 of 50

Chamomile

Though a symbol of rest and relaxation today (think: chamomile tea), this flower signified "energy in adversity" in the 19th century. These days, maybe you can combine the two while enjoying your morning cup of tea and getting ready to face the day.



29 of 50

Snapdragons

Maybe it comes as no surprise, given the name, but the symbolism behind snapdragons isn't exactly friendly. They stand for deception, so you may not want to give these to your main squeeze for Valentine's Day.



30 of 50

Red Poppy

You probably already know this one because of Veterans Day: The red poppy represents "remembrance." That's why people wear poppies pinned to their lapels on that day.





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