The Language of Flowers

The Victorians developed a complex language of flowers, assigning to each flower a hidden meaning. A suitor could express his love with a single flower or send a complete message in a mixed bouquet. Fond thoughts in these floral greetings were not restricted to lovers - a woman might send a close friend or relative a nosegay to show her affection. Today, using this language is a romantic and fun way to create your bouquet. Here are some of today's more popular flowers and their meanings.

• Bells of Ireland - luck


• Calla Lily - elegance


• Dahlia - elegance & dignity


• Four-leaf Clover - be mine


• Forget-me-not - true love


• Ivy - dependance


• Lavender - devotion


• Lilac (purple) - first emotion of love


• Lilac (white) - youthful innocence


• Lily (white) - purity


• Roses
  Red - true love
  White - eternal love, silence or innocence
  Yellow - friendship or dying love
  Pink - grace
  Dark Pink - gratitude
  Light Pink - desire, passion, joy of life
  Coral or Orange - desire, passion
  Lavender - love at first sight
  Red & White together - nuity
  Red & Yellow together - joy, happiness & excitement


• Sunflower - pure & lofty thoughts


• Tulips (red) - declaration of love


• Tulips (yellow) - hopeless love

For more information on flowers not listed here, visit http://www.pioneerthinking.com/flowerlanguage.html