In a world where everything means something, flowers mean more than one may think.
Ever felt as if you needed to express something that words just simply couldn’t say? I know that most people of this day and age rely mostly on social media and other useful modes of communication. While this is helpful socially, as it prevents the awkwardness of having to talk in person, there are some situations where words just cannot convey all of the thoughts and feelings that whirl around in one’s head.
Ever thought of why we look so fondly at these various colorful plants, even gifting them to people we love on various occasions? For example, Mother’s Day, when the flower business is probably earning more than your average restaurant. My mom gets the flowers that look like she’d like them, says my sister. This reasoning is simple yet efficient. However, flowers themselves are more meaningful than you might think.
Even the color can play a role. You may think of a rose. By far, these prickly beauties are probably the most well-known flowers. While the standard red rose may come to mind, there are so many different colors of roses out there. For example, white, yellow, hot pink, light pink, pink, black, blue, orange, green, purple, lavender, peach, ivory, and burgundy. Despite what you may think, all of these different colors symbolize something within the realm of emotions. First, the color red symbolizes love and passion. This, of course, makes perfect sense, as much of our modern-day world revolves around the idea of love and the need to be loved by those around you, and is most likely why these flowers are the most loved and well-known. Furthermore, the color white symbolizes purity and loyalty, which gives some insight into why they’re so popular for weddings.
Yellow: friendship and joy.
Hot pink: Gratitude and Sweetness.
Pink: Elegance and Cheerfulness.
Light pink: Innocence and Admiration.
Black: Mourning and Hope.
Blue: Mystery and Dreams.
Orange: Desire and Excitement.
Green: Renewal and Abundance.
Purple: Majesty and Connection.
Lavender: Enchantment and Love.
Peach: Sincerity and Gratitude.
Ivory: Thoughtfulness and Charm.
Burgundy: Passion and Commitment.
Among these are so many more. A popular theme you may notice is that, other than black, none of the colors have negative connotations. And even black, which signifies mourning, also shows hope and understanding that one must go on. You wish to cement your friendship, but you’re not sure how to do it in a way that wouldn’t leave you with empty words? A yellow rose symbolizes the beginning of friendship, and like the sun, the boundless renewal of joy that comes with amity.
Knowing these facts may not seem like valuable knowledge, but these symbols may be the reason that you make your loved one smile.
Another example of a symbolic flower is a daffodil. This beautiful yellow flower symbolizes new beginnings. It is the first to bloom in spring, signalling the end of winter and the coming of warmth and rebirth. In a different light, since this flower is tied to the story of Narcissus, a half-nymph who died due to his selfishness and vain tendencies, it is also tied to vanity and unrequited love. Whichever way you look at it, the interpretation of a flower can mean a lot. Many different descriptions of each symbol can be found for each flower, and if you often struggle to find the right one for your special someone, researching their meanings can help you to find the perfect fit.
Last but not least, the lotus flower and the calla lily are among other powerful examples. The lotus flower is symbolic of rebirth and of spiritual enlightenment, as well as purity and resilience. This actually ties into the meaning of the calla lily, which represents purity, holiness, and beauty. The similarity between these two flowers’ meanings is actually the most helpful of all. If you are looking for flowers to set in a bouquet or an arrangement of flowers that shows your feelings without having to write on a piece of paper, these definitions might help you to find exactly what you are looking for.
In conclusion, the meaning of flowers not only helps you to find what you are looking for, but also helps you to make connections with people in your life. Showing people you care by giving them a specialized flower, which shows that you took your time to find something symbolic, makes for an even better gift.
The next time you look at a flower, I hope you won’t simply think of it as a pretty plant with a stem and petals, but as a symbolic gift that means something you may not even know by looking at it. Next time someone you love is down in the dumps, try to give them a flower. Maybe tell them what it means. When we see the struggle people go through to make us happy, happiness comes more easily.
