The Meanings of Flower

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I persevered in my quest to conquer the slopes of Mount Kyaiktiyo in southern Myanmar. It wasn’t a mountain to be approached lightly. The devotion-charged Golden Rock at its pinnacle was the reward.

Most Burmese people pay homage to this wish-drenched balancing boulder–a miraculous pilgrimage site they must visit before they die. Legend has it that a dragon serpent princess found this rock at the bottom of the sea and with her supernatural powers she transported it to heaven. Many believe that touching this gigantic sacred stone allows wishes to be granted. Men struggle up the mountain just to apply more gold leaf to enhance the rock’s already magnificent gilded glow. In the shadows you can just make out the silhouettes of two men who offer scale. But all is not fair. While women are free to ascend these sacred slopes, none of them can touch this breathtaking, stupa-graced wonder once they’ve arrived at the top. In a gesture of solidarity I, too, chose not to touch its shiny surface. Who made such rules? I bet the dragon princess is furious. I’ll find other ways to make my dreams come true.

Despite the stranglehold of the staunch military government, everyday people in Myanmar seemed to be happy . . . and I never saw soldiers on the street. It’s only the Westerner who suffers from the nonexistence of ATMs. Many tourists have been known to have exited the country immediately upon arrival because they didn’t have spare dollars in their pockets for exchange. Only a couple of five-star hotels accept credit cards but for that pleasure they tack on a hefty ten percent surcharge. For currency exchange one must bring crisp US dollar bills in tow. And I mean CRISP. Even a tiny pencil mark or slight abrasion renders such notes useless. There was a half-millimeter, microscopic tear on one of my starched hundred-dollar bills but no establishment across the country would accept it in exchange for local currency, which, by the way, is often found in tatters with dangling bits hanging here and there–just like the sidewalks of Yangon.

Myanmar is filled with wonder. In Bagan more than a thousand magnificent stupas were built about the same time the Renaissance was happening in Europe. Sunlight brilliantly reflects from the shimmering golden spire of the much revered Ananda Temple, built in the year 1090 AD. It is located roughly 490 yards east of the awesome pagoda, Thatbyinnyu, 550 yards north of the huge temple of Shwesandaw and about 1000 yards northwest of the magnificent Dhammayangyi. There are about 997 other stupas nearby from which distance could easily be measured. But Ananda’s towering, and perfectly proportioned edifice, is the one that heralds the stylistic end of the early Bagan era. When I was there, a blast of rainbow celebrated the stupa’s existence.

Why have so many people never heard about this marvelous place?

The piece de resistance, however, surely must be the glitter of golden spires and shiny Buddhas that cast an ethereal glow over Burma’s most sacred pagoda, Shwedagon Phaya, which looms above the country’s commercial capital, Yangon, or Rangoon as it was known in a former existence.

Shwedagon can take your breath away.

Myanmar Buddhists dream of visiting here at least once in their lifetimes. No one, even tourists, ever forgets such a visit. It’s said there is more gold laced on Shwedagon’s surface than exists in the vaults of the Bank of England and perhaps even more than the mega tons stored at Fort Knox. Perhaps such overstatement is justified when setting the tone. This is an amazing place.

Long ago Rudyard Kipling waxed lyrical about this gold-swathed icon, “A golden mystery upheaved itself on the horizon–a beautiful winking wonder that blazed in the sun . . . “

Allow me to put this explosion of glitter into perspective by describing just the top portion of the main spire which is clad in 13,153 plates of solid gold measuring one square foot each. The top-most vane of this tower is sliver-plated and studded with 1100 diamonds totaling 278 carats with 1383 other precious stones embedded nearby. At the very top of the vane is a golden sphere enveloped with 4351 diamonds, weighing 1800 carats. And at the very tip of this orb is a single 76-carat diamond perched more than a hundred meters above worshipers below. There’s a telescope off to one side for those wishing a closeup view of the jewels.

My photo below shows only a handful of the hundreds of Shwedagon’s shimmering spires that encircle the complex where Buddhist monks circumambulate to pay homage. Perhaps I should add that the gilded glaze you see was granted by an overcast sky. Imagine the spires when the sun shines brilliantly. Your eyes could launch into pain.

I allowed myself to be held spellbound.

Shwedagon has existed for two and a half millennia. Perhaps myth makers of ancient times visited here for inspiration. Clustered around the mighty golden stupa of Shwedagon is an awesome array of temples and zedis and shrines and pavilions and gilded Buddha statues in altars that defy description. One’s imagination can fail in comparison to what exists here. Temple walls are adorned in an endless display of reflective glass mosaic tiles laced with azure-tinted grout that lured me into a fit of mind-boggling amazement.

Go there one day and you will understand. This place really exists. Kipling was not lost in a dream.

After Yangon I made my way up-country on “The Road to Mandalay.” Mr. Kipling wrote about this, too, in his book of the same name. Today the city can be a bit scruffy around the edges but its magic can still be found. The royal palace reflects in shimmering sunset-lit waters and you can climb Mandalay Hill to see its commanding golden Buddha with outstretched arm.

The lotus is associated with Buddhism because its flower signifies the law of “Cause and Effect” or karma. The lotus has the rare quality of manifesting the blossom simultaneously with its seed. More symbolically, the magnificent lotus flower flourishes most when it rises from the muddiest of swamps. When we find ourselves trapped in such muck, Buddhism promises that our lives can still blossom.

Burmese enchantment envelopes the country despite staunch military repression of the people.

On Inle Lake in eastern Myanmar fishermen deftly balance on one foot at the tip of their small canoes while their other leg is wrapped around an oar with one end tucked under their arm. They pivot and row in a one-legged corkscrew fashion while their hands are left free to manage the net. With permission, I climbed aboard one of these tiny boats mid-lake for an insider’s view through the net. In the process I almost caused capsize. But the agile boatman executed perfect counterbalance to my photograph of his precarious stance.

Toward the end of my visit to Burma I found myself at the remote Buddhist pagoda of Yan Aung Nan Aung Hsu Taung Pyi. It’s a quiet place; I was the only one there. No crimson-robed monks were nearby. It was just me and the huge outdoor Buddha sitting there in a moment of ponder. I lingered for a while, then carefully folded my umbrella and put it away. The rain had finally departed, perhaps signaling it was time for me to bid farewell to this incredible land. Reluctantly I slipped back into my sandals and turned to leave. Then, off to one side I spotted a sacred pond whose waters appeared not to be clear.

I drew closer and found rain droplets dancing on lotus leaves that had defiantly risen from the muck.

Copyright © Glen Allison ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Everything we do and every part of our behavior reflects on nature. Human behavior can be very disastrous, but at the same time it can be the most amazing thing you have ever seen. When you watch someone that doesn’t care about what they do and what others think of them, your impression of that person is not a good one. That person is someone that can bring a lot of harm to others.

However, when you see someone that doesn’t enjoy being watched or doesn’t like standing out from the crowd, that is one person that can reserve the greatest surprises for you. Someone that hides from other people looks, someone that doesn’t enjoy boasting, yet they hide great potential inside, that is someone that can change the world. This is something that you should look for.

This kind of behavior is encountered often in people all around us. This is also a type of behavior that you can find in nature, in animals and in some plants as well. One of the plants that I am talking about is the Lotus flower, one of the most beautiful plants that you can lay your eyes upon.

The Lotus flower is in many ways one of the greatest mysteries in nature. A plant usually has roots in the ground and springs up in order to be seen by everyone that goes by. Basking their petals in the beautiful sunlight or moonlight is indeed the way these creations of nature repay people that stop to enjoy them.

However the Lotus flower does not follow the same process. This is one flower that grows in mud on the bottom of shallow lakes, allowing everyone that passes it during the day to enjoy one of the greatest sights that can ever be seen on earth. On the other hand, when the moon starts showing its rays, this beautiful flower goes back into the mud from where it will rise again the next day.

This is nature’s way of showing us that there is a great struggle that we need to face in our daily lives. Just like the Lotus flower, at night we head back to our safety rooms, hiding from everyone else’s eyes, just to come back the following day, facing the great world on our own again.

That entire struggle to reach the surface is meant to allow people to enjoy one of nature’s perfect creations. As it was pointed out afore, many struggle with their beliefs and misconceptions just to find out later on that they hold great potential that was just waiting to come out into the light.

Ancient cultures have considered the Lotus flower as a powerful symbol. For instance, Egyptians thought that it was a symbol of the sun. Lots of Asian cultures considered this wonderful flower to be a symbol of purity and virtue for both humans and gods.

The greatest activity of humans from ancient times until present days was to capture the greatest and most beautiful symbols of nature into something they create. Their most obvious attempts for capturing these symbols are painting, sculptures and jewelry.

If you are interested in some of the most amazing jewelry designs that encompass the Lotus flower as a main symbol, all you need to do is visit the website ka-gold-jewelry.com. Here you will find a deeper insight on the meaning of every symbol used in the designs.

All crepe paper flowers are beautiful but there are a few that are more popular than others. Whether it is a personal choice or a cultural choice. Every flower has a special meaning. In this article we will look at the most popular crepe paper flowers.

Now you are probably wondering what the most popular crepe paper flowers are and why? Crepe paper flowers are rated in popularity by a few things. The first being is a favorite flower in its natural state. The second is the ability to make the paper flower and how it can be created to become a unique flower for the individual’s personal likes. And lastly is the ability to turn a favorite flower into a gorgeous work of art all your own.

· The rose is the all time favorite flower. This flower comes in red, pink, white, yellow and numerous hybrid colors. The great thing about making paper roses is they are missing those ever so picky thorns; that indelibly everyone is punctured by at some time or another during their lifetime. The rose thorns have many myths that date as far back as far as the 14th century. Which makes the rose not only a natural beauty but a mythical one as well? Roses are the perfect choice for bridal bouquets and home decor.

· Orchids are another all time favorite flower. They have a lush tropical look that people associate with paradise. This makes them very popular at weddings and Hawaiian luaus. Including the hybrids of orchids there are over 25,000 varieties. The primary colors are purple, white and yellow. Orchids are also another popular wedding flower in the bridal bouquets and in corsages.

· Carnations are the world’s oldest flower. It has two meanings “Flower of the Gods” and “Flower of Love” it comes in a variety of colors and much like roses different colors mean different things. The red carnation means love and affection. White carnations represent luck and purity. Pink carnations mean gratitude. The carnation is also the official flower of Mother’s day. Carnations are not a favorite American flower but this flower is loved by many all across the world.

All three of these flowers are great choices for paper flowers whether it is for your wedding or to decorate your home. They can become any color you like simply by choosing a color of crepe paper. Many brides will combine all three flowers in her bridal bouquet or centerpieces.

These three flowers have a long and rich history that is full of love and romance. They are the perfect flower for any occasion so long as you choose the right colors.

Now that we have taken a closer look at the most popular flowers if you agree you can create crepe paper flowers out of them. If you want a special color all you have to do is get the color crepe paper you want and start making beautiful replicas of the most popular crepe paper flowers that will last a very long time!

There is a meaning to everything especially gifts. These gifts are in the form of chocolates, flowers, teddies, etc. Flowers are the best gifts to whom you love. They have special effects on the person being gifted to.

Meaning of flowers is best understood by the people whom they are meant for. Some people may even want to show their anger through flowers. They send thorny flowers to the person with whom they are angry with.

Wedding flowers are very important gift for friends and relatives. Some people receive numerous flowers as their wedding gift but the one which is gifted by the spouse is simply the best.

Flowers can be sent online trough the shopping portals available online. There are times when we can’t reach our loved ones due to some problem or due to distances; then it is very essential to express the feelings. This is called the meaning of flowers. Meaning of flowers lies in the love they express through them. There are many people who simply can’t express their feelings in words. Then they have to take recluse in the flowers which are very soft and delightful by nature.

Online flowers are gaining popularity because they are sought frequently by those people who are separated by distances. Some people simply place order for online flowers to see the surprise expression and delight on the face of the other person. This technique is generally followed by the husbands for their wives.

Online flowers are delivered at exactly the same time as they are asked for – whether late at night or early in the morning. This facility enables many people to send online flowers to their close ones easily.

Wedding gifts are always special in a persons’ life. Choose the right wedding flowers for your beloved to make the moment memorable and worth remembering. The gifts are chosen as per the right moment. Say a wedding gift for the friend can be yellow roses while for the beloved will be red roses. There is a proper meaning of flowers and people should take care that they convey the right meaning through their flowers.

From ancient times, the lotus flower has been considered a powerful symbol in many cultures and civilizations. The most important features of the lotus flower are actually at the root of its deep symbolism: it only grows in murky waters and it rises with an incredible beauty above. The great thing is that at night the lotus flower closes and goes underwater, only to rise up in its splendor again at dawn.

From the six species of lotus flower mainly known as water lilies, the white and yellow varieties are among the most common. Yet, getting a glimpse of the beautiful delicate shapes of the blue Egyptian lilies, is a rare occasion that would completely prove to the spectator that this flower has been labeled sacred for a very good reason. Its complexity of structure is only matched by the variety of of its symbolic meanings.

The beauty of the lotus flower remains untouched by the impurity from which it springs, therefore it is used to symbolize the highest level of spiritual serenity, rising far above the muddy waters of daily life. Other common meanings associated with it include longevity, health and honor; however we’d be limiting the potential of the symbol if we are to consider only these associations.

In different cultures and geographical areas, the lotus flower shares other significance levels as well; let’s consider, for instance its Egyptian interpretation as a symbol of the sun and perpetual rebirth. Such mythological meanings were deeply rooted in the sacred rituals of the ancient world where all activities took place according to the various sun cycles.

For the Tibetans, the lotus flower is the symbol of the supreme spiritual accomplishment; the very mantra they hum in sacred meditations, “Om Mani Padme Hum” is an invocation of this supreme symbol, “Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus”. Nevertheless, the lotus is not confined to the Asian religious realms in its symbolism. In Christianity, the lotus flower with its parallel representation – the white lily – is the symbol of the Archangel Gabriel.

Whether in mystical yoga, Tibetan rites, ancient Egyptian tradition or Christian interpretations, the lotus flower remains a clear epitome that there is more to this world than mere material representations. There is always some higher reality to represent beyond the mundane aspect of things; and precisely such points of view have lead to the attempt of transposing the depth of a symbolic flower into the beauty of artistic representation.

The lotus flower and the rose are the two most popular flower tattoos. The lotus has been called the rose of the East, because it is as popular in the East as the rose is in the West. The lotus flower has a story to tell – a flower that grows in mud and emerges pristine and pure, to bloom in perfect beauty, floating sublimely on the surface of the water. It closes its petals each night and, like humans, awakes from sleep and like humans, opens to the sunshine, to the new day. Some people prefer to think, like humans, it opens its soul to God. This ability to bloom on the surface and float above the mud symbolizes detachment from this world – it is in the world but not of the world. Poets and artists have struggled to describe and depict its beauty and mystery. Lotus flower tattoos symbolize these two characteristics.

It has a strong connection with Hinduism and Buddhism – both religions use the flower as a symbol of perfection, a symbol of the divine, giving it a mystic quality like no other flower. The Hindu deities are depicted with the lotus flower as part of them or holding a lotus flower. For Buddhists, the flower is the throne of Buddha. The eightfold path of Buddhism, called the Dharma, is represented by its petals. The color of the lotus flower has different meaning in different cultures – white represents purity, blue represents goodness and red represents enlightenment. The ancient Egyptians regarded the blue lotus as sacred and a sign of purity, as dirt did not cling to its petals.

It has extraordinary hardiness. Its seeds can lie dormant for two hundred years and then bloom with the first rains. Its stalk is tough and not easily broken. The Chinese saw this as a symbol of fidelity.The lotus flower tattoo symbolizes new beginnings, new hope, new life, longevity and endurance. The popoularity of the lotus flower in so many cultures means is has been depicted thousand of times. This means there are numerous lotus flower tattoo designs. The designs are many and varied and can be worn on any part of the body. You can choose one to help express your personality and your feelings. You can send a message to the world or you can simply wear a lotus flower tattoo for yourself – to give you strength, to give you hope, to lift your spirits, to remind you to never say die, to endure.

The lotus flower starts as a small flower down at the bottom of a pond in the mud and muck. It slowly grows up towards the waters surface continually moving towards the light. Once it come to the surface of the water the lotus flower begins to blossom and turn into a beautiful flower.

Within Hinduism and Buddhism the lotus flower has become a symbol for awakening to the spiritual reality of life. The meaning varies slightly between the two religions of course but essentially both religious traditions place importance on the lotus flower.

In modern times the meaning of a lotus flower tattoo ties into it’s religious symbolism and meaning. Most tattoo enthusiast feel that the a lotus tattoo represent life in general. As the lotus flower grows up from the mud into a object of great beauty people also grow and change into something more beautiful (hopefully!). So the symbol represent the struggle of life at its most basic form.

Lotus flower tattoos are also popular for people who have gone through a hard time and are now coming out of it. Like the flower they have been at the bottom in the muddy, yucky dirty bottom of the pond but have risen above this to display an object of beauty or al ife of beauty as the case might be. Thus a lotus flower tattoo or blossom can also represent a hard time in life that has been overcome.

Lotus flower and peonies are also two flowers that are very popular among Japanese tattoo artists and they make a great compliment to Koi Fish tattoos. Ironically enough the two koi fish and lotus flowers can often be found in the same pond in front of a temple. The Koi fish is a symbol typically for strength and individualism.

Chris is an avid tattoo enthusiast, as well as an observer and writer of the tattoo scene. He has run numerous tattoo related website business in the past. However, now he provides great tattoo information in the form of articles and web pages for everyone to enjoy free. Check out this page for more on tattoo sleeve designs, or here for awesome Free Star Tattoo Designs.

* Moorish Brooklyn Twitter – twitter.com *TURN UP YOUR VOLUME WHEN SHE STARTS CHANTING* For Tina Turner music – amzn.to Tina Turner showing how Buddhist chanting is done. The Buddhist chants, mutras and mantras can stimulate your organs, cells, atoms, DNA, kundalini, Ida and Pingala nerves; your pineal, pituitary and hypothalamus glands which will bring in sync your mental, physical and spiritual at the same time. She was chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, which is said to mean Devotion To The Law Of The Lotus Flower Scripture. Namu: The words na and mu derive from Sanskrit. A close translation of its meaning is “to devote oneself”. Myoho: Myoho literally means the Mystic Law, and expresses the relationship between the life inherent in the universe and the many different ways this life expresses itself. Myo refers to the very essence of life, the mystic law which is “invisible” and beyond intellectual understanding. Renge: Renge means lotus flower. The lotus blooms and produces seeds at the same time, and thus represents the simultaneity of cause and effect. Kyo: Kyo literally means sutra, the voice or teaching of a Buddha. In this sense, it also means sound, rhythm or vibration. The universal battle on every degree, level, plane, dimension, world and sphere. *Make money on any social network sites like Facebook, Twitter, Digg, Delicious, Myspace, Google, Linkedin, Stumble, Yahoo and more by reposting your favorite videos from Youtube or Daily Motion. Fun & Simple – bit.ly …
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Everyday across the world there are thousands of flower arrangements gifted.  For numerous occasions flowers are a wonderful and thoughtful gift. Anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, graduations, congratulations, and to give thanks are just a few reasons to give the gift of flowers. With all the flowers that are given on a daily basis, few individuals actually know the symbolic meaning of each flower.  Knowing the meaning behind a flower can amplify the significance of the present greatly.

It is important to educate yourself on the symbolic meaning of the flowers that you give because it showcases the fact that the flowers were purchased with meaning and care. For example if a bouquet of lavender blossoms are given to a graduate, it would represent admiration and having their wishes come true.

The symbolic meaning of flowers dates back to the Victorian period. Certain flowers had specific meanings because the flower selection was very limited and people used more symbols and gestures to communicate than words. Some examples of flowers and their meanings are as follows: Azalea- abundance, Daffodil-chivalry, Daisy- innocence, Gardenia- joy, Iris- inspiration, Jasmine- grace and elegance , Lilac- first love, Magnolia- dignity , Orchid-delicate beauty, Pansy- loving thoughts , Violet- faithfulness , Peony- healing , Sunflower- adoration and Sweetpea-shyness. 

Colors for different flowers can also have their own meaning.  Roses are an example of this.  Pink can mean friendship while red means passion or love. White roses stand for purity while yellow for zealous. Tulips also have multiple meanings, pink stands for caring and purple for royalty.  Red, like roses, is a declaration of love, while yellow means hopelessly in love. White however means forgiveness. Carnations and Chrysanthemums also are said to have meaning behind their various colors. 

Whether needing to send a message for a true love or a thank you gift, there are appropriate choices available in a variety of fresh flowers. A florist is sure to know an appropriate flower to match any emotion. Flowers can speak volumes about the sender’s feelings. Those who make an effort to understand the meanings behind individual flowers and their colors will certainly be able to give a thoughtful bouquet to those they care for.

Everyday across the world there are thousands of flower arrangements gifted.  For numerous occasions flowers are a wonderful and thoughtful gift. Anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, graduations, congratulations, and to give thanks are just a few reasons to give the gift of flowers. With all the flowers that are given on a daily basis, few individuals actually know the symbolic meaning of each flower.  Knowing the meaning behind a flower can amplify the significance of the present greatly.

It is important to educate yourself on the symbolic meaning of the flowers that you give because it showcases the fact that the flowers were purchased with meaning and care. For example if a bouquet of lavender blossoms are given to a graduate, it would represent admiration and having their wishes come true.

The symbolic meaning of flowers dates back to the Victorian period. Certain flowers had specific meanings because the flower selection was very limited and people used more symbols and gestures to communicate than words. Some examples of flowers and their meanings are as follows: Azalea- abundance, Daffodil-chivalry, Daisy- innocence, Gardenia- joy, Iris- inspiration, Jasmine- grace and elegance , Lilac- first love, Magnolia- dignity , Orchid-delicate beauty, Pansy- loving thoughts , Violet- faithfulness , Peony- healing , Sunflower- adoration and Sweetpea-shyness. 

Colors for different flowers can also have their own meaning.  Roses are an example of this.  Pink can mean friendship while red means passion or love. White roses stand for purity while yellow for zealous. Tulips also have multiple meanings, pink stands for caring and purple for royalty.  Red, like roses, is a declaration of love, while yellow means hopelessly in love. White however means forgiveness. Carnations and Chrysanthemums also are said to have meaning behind their various colors. 

Whether needing to send a message for a true love or a thank you gift, there are appropriate choices available in a variety of fresh flowers. A florist is sure to know an appropriate flower to match any emotion. Flowers can speak volumes about the sender’s feelings. Those who make an effort to understand the meanings behind individual flowers and their colors will certainly be able to give a thoughtful bouquet to those they care for.

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Sweet flowers alone can say what passion fears revealing

Thomas Hood poem, The Language of Flowers

Flowers and bouquets of flowers have a meaning of their own. Most of us know that a dozen red roses means, “Be mine.” But did you know, for example, that a primrose means, “I can’t live without you,” or that a purple hyacinth means, “Please forgive me,” or that a pink carnation means, “I’ll never forget you,” or that a gladiolus means, “Give me a break?”

Flower meanings have been used to convey ideas, feelings and messages for centuries. The word, floriography, has been coined for the assignment of meaning to flowers. There is a meaning to colors of flowers, to numbers of flowers, and to groups of flowers. It is a silent language that has been largely lost to us through lack of use.

In addition to the obvious choices of color and variety, the language of flowers also includes the way flowers are worn or presented. Presenting flowers upright conveys a positive meaning, but if they are presented upside down the meaning is the opposite. If a ribbon is included with the flowers and is tied to the left then the meaning of the flowers refers to the giver, but if the ribbon is tied to the right then the meaning refers to the recipient. Also, flowers can be used to answer questions. When they are presented with the right hand the answer is “yes,” but when presented with the left hand the answer is “no.”

History

The Turks in the 17th century seemed to develop flower meanings. In 1718 the wife of the British ambassador to Constantinople, Lady Mary Wortley, wrote a letter expounding on the “Secret Language of Flowers” that she had discovered during her visits to Turkey. Europe quickly picked up on the concept.

In 1819 Louise Cortambert, under the pen name, Madame Charlotte de la Tour, wrote and published what seems to have been the first dictionary of the flower language entitled, Le Language des Fleurs. It was a small book, but it became a popular reference on the subject.

During the Victorian era, the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901, the meaning and language of flowers became increasingly popular. Victorian women especially picked up the silent language that allowed them to communicate feelings and meanings that the strict propriety of the times would not allow. Tussie-mussies, a bouquet of flowers wrapped with a lace doily and tied with a satin ribbon became a popular and valued gift of the times.

In 1884 a whole book on the subject and entitled, The Language of Flowers, by Jean Marsh and illustrated by Kate Greenaway, was published in London. It became popular and respected and has been the standard source for Victorian flower meaning ever since.

Selected Flower Meanings

Here are some selected flowers and their meanings, a short dictionary.

Almond flowers — Hope

Anemone — Forsaken

Aster — Symbol of love

Balm — Sympathy

Basil — Best wishes

Bay leaf — “I change but in death”

Bell flower, white — Gratitude

Bergamot — Irresistible

Bluebell — Constancy

Borage — Courage

Broom — Humility

Campanula — Gratitude

Carnation, pink — I’ll never forget you

Carnation, red — My poor heart aches for you

Carnation, striped — Refusal

China rose — Beauty always new

Chrysanthemum — Love

Clover, four leaved — “Be mine”

Coreopsis — Love at first sight

Cuckoo pint — Ardor

Daffodil — Regard

Daisy — Innocence, new-born, “I share your sentiment”

Fennel — Flattery

Fern — Sincerity

Forget-Me-Not — True love

Furze or Gorse — Enduring affection

French Marigold — Jealousy

Gardenia — Ecstasy

Gentian — Loveliness

Geranium — “You are childish”

Hare bell — Grief

Heartsease — “I am always thinking of you”

Honeysuckle — Bonds of love

Heather — Admiration

Hyacinth — I am sorry, Please forgive me

Ice Plant — “Your appearance freezes me”

Ivy — Fidelity, friendship, marriage

Jasmine — Grace

Jonquil — “I hope for return of affection”

Lavender — Luck, devotion

Lemon Balm — Sympathy

Lilac — First love

Lily — Purity, modesty

Lily of the Valley — Purity, the return of happiness

Lily, Calla — Beauty

Marigold — Health, grief or despair

Marjoram — Kindness, courtesy

Myrtle — Fidelity

Oregano — Joy

Orchid — Love, beauty, refinement

Pansy — Loving thoughts

Periwinkle — Happy memory

Phlox — Agreement

Poppy, red — Consolation

Primrose — I can’t live without you

Rose, cabbage — Ambassador of love

Rose, red — Love

Rose, pink — Grace, beauty

Rose, yellow — Friendship

Rosemary — Remembrance, constancy

Rue — Contrition

Sage — Gratitude, domestic virtue

Snowdrop — Hope

Star of Bethlehem — Purity

Sweet Pea — Departure, tender memory

Sweet William — Gallantry

Tuberose — Voluptuousness

Tulip, red — My perfect lover, Reclamation of love

Violet — Loyalty, modesty, humility

Violet, blue — Faithfulness

Wormwood — Grief

Wheat — Riches of the continuation of life

Willow, weeping — Mourning

Wallflower — Fidelity

Yew — Sorrow

The Rose

The Rose is the flower whose meaning we most understand, but here are some details of the meaning of the Rose that may be of further interest.

Rose, Black – You are my obsession

Rose, Champagne – You are tender and loving

Rose, Leonidas – Sweet love

Rose, Nicole – You are graceful and elegant, aristocratic

Rose, Orange – You are my secret love

Rose, Pink – Brilliant complexion; the glow of your smile; perfect happiness

Rose, Red – Passionate love; I love you

Rose, Single Stems – Simplicity

Rose, White – I am worthy of you; spiritual love; Innocence and Purity; Secrecy and Silence

Rose, White and Red – We are inseparable

Rose, White and Red Mixed – Unity; Flower emblem of England

Rose, White, Dried – Death is preferable to loss of virtue

Rose, Yellow – Friendship; Jealousy; I am not worthy

Rose, Bridal – Happy Love

Rose, Dark Crimson – Mourning

Rose, Hibiscus – Delicate beauty

Rose, Tea – I’ll remember always

Rose, Thornless – Love at first sight

Roses, Bouquet of Mature Blooms – Gratitude

Multiple Roses

Single bloom red Rose – Love at first sight or I still love you

Single Rose, any color – Gratitude or simplicity

2 Roses – Mutual feelings

3 Roses – I love you

7 Roses – I’m infatuated with you

9 Roses – We’ll be together forever

10 Roses – You are perfect

11 Roses – You are my treasured one

12 Roses – Be mine

13 Roses – Friends forever

15 Roses – I’m truly sorry

20 Roses – I’m truly sincere towards you

21 Roses – I’m dedicated to you

24 Roses – Forever yours

25 Roses – Congratulations

50 Roses – Unconditional love

99 Roses – I will love you all the days of my life

108 Roses – Will you marry me?

999 Roses – I love you till the end of time

What To Do

With the lists above you should be able to assemble a meaningful gift of flowers or a bouquet that conveys a complex thought. Wrap the flowers appropriately and present them in a significant manner. Then, just to be certain that your efforts are not misinterpreted, include a card that fully explains the meaning of your flowers.

After a few flower presentations you should be able to drop the explanatory notes and begin enjoying and sharing the silent language of flowers.

Anywhere you go in the United States you will find a lot of various flower shops which has its own banner that can help in catching a customer’s attention. There will probably be at least one flower shop in a certain town and there will be a lot of floral shops within a particular city. You may ask why people are so into flower shops when they could easily pick flowers from their backyards. Well, the answer to that is quite simple. A flower play an important role in everyone’s life and this is definitely a good gift for birthdays, holidays, courting, for congratulating, sympathy and is widely being used for saying sorry. Because of the different symbolic tokens that you will find in any flower shop, it is important for you to have some form of research as to what each flower means so that you can convey your feelings correctly to the person you are giving the flowers.For most of the special occasions that people has or have attended in his or her lifetime, flower arrangement has indeed been part of someone’s life. From simple being the centerpiece of the dining table to the wedding bouquet, flower arrangement will be known and remembered.

If you are dreaming of putting your own flower shop, there are a lot of things that you need to consider and one of those things is to how you can create peculiar and unique flower arrangement that your clients will surely love. When trying to put up a beautiful flower arrangement, you need to make sure that you are using the right kinds of flowers which have almost the same meaning and significance. Yellow roses are very beautiful and to one culture this could symbolize loyalty and friendship but this could also mean remembrance or a sign of loss and mourning to another culture. Aside from the meaning of the flower itself, the number of flowers can also affect what the bouquet of flowers mean.Flowers –no matter what kind of flower arrangement had been use to them—can still take on different meanings that range within literature and culture. And the literature of one place can be spread to another culture and those two different traditions can become entwined with each other. It is also possible that one tradition could make another’s tradition become discarded. You cannot combine flowers that signify love and compassion to the flowers that signifies death because it will not go hand in hand and this is definitely not good for the eye. However, you can combine flowers with the same meaning even though they have different shades of color and most people think that those colors do not blend well. There are some people who think that orange and purple should be combined but there are certain instances wherein purple and orange can create a more attractive flower bouquet than any person can ever imagine. You can also include other materials such as artificial flowers, cute mini stuffed toys and you can place your flowers in any containers that you think is able to create a beautiful bouquet.