Lessons; symbolism general

Symbolism of flowers

Many flowers have a subjective symbolic value. There is even a special language of flowers, developed during the Victorian period. Each country has a different interpretation, and color can change the symbolism of a flower. Here are some examples.

Acacia friendship (chaste love)
Anemone forsaken
Aquilegia unreliable
Aster afterthought
bamboo durability, sincerity
Calendula envy
Camellia excellence
Convallaria majalis simplicity, month of May (return of happiness)
Crocus joy, spring message
Dahlia luxury, magnificence (instability)
dead branch ruin
Dendranthema (Chrysanthemum) (white) all souls' day
Dianthus (carnation) capriciousness (fascination; woman’s love)
Dried flower immortality
For-get-me-not remembrance, true love
Helianthus (sunflower) zest for living, the eye to God
Hyacinthus power, peace (sport, play)
Hydrangea unstable (heartlessness)
Ilex joy, light
Iris male, Mary flower (my compliments, I have a message for you)
Jasminus friendship, I am happy
Laurus nobilus victory
Lilium Mary flower, purity
Lilium white holiness, spirituality; purity, Mary-symbol, fertility
Lotus purity, truth (eloquence)
May tree hope, fertility
Myosotis palustris touchiness
Narcissus vanity, new life (regard, egotism)
Orange blossom  wedding flower (chastity; bridal festivities)
Paeonia vanity, nobleness, proud ness, shame, emperal power, extravagance
Poppy proud ness
Pelargonium (geranium) meeting, friendship (melancholy)
Phragmitis flexibility
Primula hope
Quercus (oak) power, invincible (hospitality)
Rosa joy, happiness, affection, love
Salix (willow) new life, joy (forsaken)
Sempervivum  untouchable, long life, prosperity ripeness
Snow drop hope, spring, peace, power, carnival
Syringa memory
Thistle defense, care and sorrow
Viola humility, modesty
water lily love of one's neigh-bour, rest

Zinnia

thoughts of absent friends

back to index lessons

Last update of this page 23.05.2004