If you thought that FTD pioneered the idea of “Say it With Flowers”, please allow me to correct your misconception, for the idea of sending messages using the symbolic meaning of flowers actually dates back to Victorian times. For them, the symbolic meaning of flowers were potent allies when words were not enough, with messages that ranged from “I Love You”, to arranging a tryst, or even as far as challenging a rival!

By the 1800’s several elaborate and detailed dictionaries had been published, just to help the recipient decode the complex bouquets received. I have included here a small sampling of flowers, arranged by meaning, so that you, too, may send your lover your very own secret message, just like the incurably romantic Victorian era suitors that so elegantly paved the way for us. You may want to print out the list (using the handy “share” button below), and give a copy to your beloved.

The Symbolic Meaning of Flowers

Admiration - carnation (especially red or yellow)
Adoration - sunflower
Affection - pink carnation
Beautiful eyes - variegated tulip
Beauty - orchid, roses
Boldness - pine
Bonds of love - honeysuckle
Cheerfulness - yellow chrysanthemum
Conjugal love - geranium
Constancy - calendula
Contentment - camellia
Courage - thyme
Declaration of love - red tulip
Desire - red rose
Devotion - lavender, rosemary
Domestic happiness - holly
Dreaminess - pink tulip
Endurance - pine
Fascination - yellow carnation
Feminine charm - gardenia
Femininity - shell pink rose
Forgive & forget - yellow rose
Friendship -ivy, willow, pussy willow
Fruitfulness - lily
Good fortune - coral coloured rose
Good luck - white heather
Gracefulness - daffodil
Happiness - sweet marjoram
Happy years - tulip
Heart touched by love - white rosebud
Hope - almond, pear, forget-me-not
I am happy that you love me! - yellow dahlia
I am worthy of you - white rose
I am your captive - peach
I love you - red chrysanthemum, red rose
I return your love! - violet
Joy - chrysanthemum, oregano, red or red and white rose
Love - cinnamon, lilac, rose; red or rose coloured
Love, consuming - tulip
Love, deep and pure - red carnation
Love, living for - white carnation
Love, true - forget-me-not
Love undiminished by adversity - white dogwood
Loyalty - bamboo, pine
Lust - orchid
Marriage - myrtle, plum
Passion - lackey carnation
Play - hyacinth
Pure heart - baby’s breath
Reconciliation - olive
Respect - daffodil, white rose
Return of happiness - lily-of-the-valley
Serenity - willow
Sincerity - honesty
Softness, feminine - peach
Strength - oak, thyme
Strength of character - gladiolus
Sweetness - white lilac, sweet violet
Talent - white pinks
Thoughts - pansy
Thriving - lily
Transport of joy - jasmine
Unity - white or red and white rose
Warm-hearted - white cyclamen
Warmth of feeling - mint (all varieties)
Wedded love - ivy
Well-being - delphinium
Your qualities, like your charms, are unequalled! - peach coloured rose

Some of the message meanings refer to peach and plum; these could be given as flowers, but they could also be presented in a bowl of fruit with some of the other flowers arranged around the rim. Use your imagination on how to present your sentiments. One more note: for some fun, give her the whole list, and tell her to keep it handy. Then send the bouquet to her place of work, or to her at home while you are at work. Make sure that she understands that there is a secret message in the symbolic meaning of flowers. Can she decode it? Bonus point: What am I saying to you with the the lily at the top of the post? Leave your answer in the comments ;-)

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