You can find meaning in flowers–both the type of flowers that you choose and the color of the flowers. You may naturally gravitate toward yellow flowers when you want to cheer someone or to white flowers for a somber occasion. If you want to express your love to someone, choosing the right kinds of flowers can help you make that statement.
Significance
Each flower has a traditional meaning associated with it. If you are feeling shy about expressing your love, you can use a well-chosen flower to tell someone that you love him. The meanings of flowers often come from legends in history. For example, the lilac was formed when Pan, the god of the forest, chased Syringa, a beautiful nymph, who was frightened of his affections and turned herself into a lilac bush. Lilacs now represent first love.
Types
Roses are perhaps the most traditional symbol of love, but there are many other types of flowers that can send the same message. Red or yellow tulips also represent love. Other flowers can help you to express love, as well. A yellow chrysanthemum, for example, represents a secret admirer, while holly symbolizes domestic happiness.
Misconceptions
Some believe that all roses symbolize love, but this isn’t the case. Red roses represent a passionate love, but pink roses only symbolize admiration. White roses can symbolize a new beginning, which can work well at a wedding, but not necessarily if you want to tell someone you love them. Orange roses can signify passion and excitement, and the rare purple rose can represent enchantment. Yellow roses, however, represent only friendship, not romantic love.
Considerations
When ordering flowers, it is more important to consider the recipient’s tastes than it is the generally accepted symbol of the flowers. Someone who prefers sunflowers to roses may interpret a gift of roses as being inconsiderate.
Warning
Though you can be fairly certain that someone will understand that a gift of red roses means love, not everyone knows the meanings of the different types of flowers. If you are trying to send a message, the message may be lost to the recipient.
Photo Credit
- Roses image by Andy Merrett from Fotolia.com
