|
Flower |
|
Meaning |
| Alstroemeria |
|
Named after Swedish botanist Baron Klas von Alstroemer. He
collected seeds on a trip to Spain in 1753, among which were seeds of
this South American flower.
|
| Anemone |
 |
Or
windflower, as it was believed wind made the blossoms open. Another
legend says it grew for the gods on Mount Olympus, where prevailing
winds blew.
|
| Anthurium |
 |
From a Greek word meaning flower tail (anthus meaning flower, oura meaning tail). Also known as the painted tongue.
|
| Aster |
|
In Greek it means star, for its star-like
blossoms. Legend says that it was created from stardust when Virgo
looked down from the heavens and wept.
|
| Baby's Breath |
|
Appropriately named for its small, softly-scented blossoms.
The botanical name, gypsophila, means love chalk, referring to its
preference for chalky soil.
|
| Birch Leaves |
|
Given to a man by a woman as a show of encouragement.
|
| Bird-Of-Paradise |
|
Strelitzia as it is also called, is named after actual
birds-of-paradise, which are the most beautiful birds in the world,
with brightly coloured plumage and fanlike tails.
|
| Carnation |
 |
From an old Italian word meaning complexion. The earliest carnations bore flesh-coloured flowers, which gave rise to the name.
|
| Carnation, white |
|
Pure and ardent love. Good luck to give to a woman.
|
| Calla Lily |
 |
Beauty |
| Chrysanthemum |
 |
From
a Greek word meaning gold flower. In the language of flowers, red
shades speak of love, white of truth, and yellow of slighted love. Also
cheerfulness and optimism.
|
Daffodil
|
 |
Or
narcissus. In Greek mythology, Narcissus fell in love with his own
reflection. He was turned into a flower, to nod into the water at his
reflection forever. Also means "The sun is always shining when I'm with
you, regard."
|
Daisy
|
 |
From
the Old English phrase day's eye – many open in the morning, revealing
the centre disc and close again each night. The disc is made up of
hundreds of tiny flowers.
|
| Delphinium |
|
The name is derived from the Greek word for dolphin because of
the fancied resemblance of the flower spurs (or partly opened buds) to
a dolphin's head.
|
Dendrobium Orchid
|
|
Dendron means tree. These orchids grow on trees and are
epiphytes, which means they depend on the tree for structural support
but not nutrition.
|
| Forget-me-not |
 |
Faithful love and undying memory, good luck to give to a woman.
|
| Freesia |
|
Named after German botanist Friedrich H. T. Freese. He was a pupil of Dr. Christian P. Ecklon who named this genus for Freese.
|
| Gardenia |
 |
"I love you in secret". Good luck to give to a man.
|
| Gerbera Daisy |
|
Named after Truagott Gerber, a German botanist and naturalist
who travelled extensively in Russia and wrote an important monograph on
Russian specimens.
|
| Gerbera Daisy |
|
As in gladiator, because of its sword-shaped leaves, derived from a
Latin word meaning little sword. Also referred to in history as the
sword lily. |
| Honeysuckle |
 |
A wedding will follow shortly.
|
| Iris |
 |
"I have a message for you."
|
| Lilac, mauve |
|
"Do you still love me?"
|
| Lily |
 |
Throughout
the ages, the lily has stood for purity and sweetness, modesty,
whiteness and fragility. Various species are widely referenced in Greek
mythology.
|
| Lily of the Valley |
 |
"Let's make up."
|
Moss
|
 |
Maternal love, charity.
|
Nerine
|
|
Named after the Nereids in Greek mythology. The Nereids were sea nymphs, daughters of the sea god Nereus.
|
| Jonquil |
 |
Love Me, Desire, Sympathy, Desire For a Return of Affection |
| Petunia |
 |
"I am furious!"
|
| Protea |
|
Named after the sea god Proteus who could assume different
shapes. And, indeed the protea comes in many forms, from tiny dwarf
flowers, to shrubs, to trees.
|
| Rose |
 |
Romans
believed white roses grew where the tears of Venus fell, as she mourned
the loss of her beloved Adonis. Her son Cupid, stung by a bee, shot
arrows in the rose garden. The sting of the arrows became thorns. Venus
pricked her foot on a thorn, and the droplets of blood dyed the roses
red. A single, full bloom means: I still love you; (Pink) - please
believe me; (Red) - love and desire; (Yellow) - infidelity and jealousy
[but now often means friendship]; (White and Red together) - unity and
warmth of heart.
|
Rosemary
|
 |
Fidelity and love, remembrance. |
| Snapdragon |
 |
So named because of its snout-like blossoms. A light pressure on either
side of a single blossom will make the jaws of the dragon open. |
| Statice |
|
Or sea-lavender because it grows wild in salt-marshes. The Greek word
statice means causing to stand as the spikes stand fresh-looking for
months. |
| Tulip |
 |
Named so because it resembled the colourful Turkish tulband (turban).
The word was later corrupted to tulipan, and much later, abbreviated to
tulip. Also - declaration of love, symbol of perfect lover; (Red) -
believe me; (Variegated [bicolour]) - beautiful eyes. |
Violet
|
 |
"I return your love", good luck to give to a woman. |
| Zinnia |
 |
Lasting affection. |
