A Complete Guide to Flower Meanings & What Different Flowers Symbolise

Looking to buy a bunch of flowers for any occasion? But wait… which ones to get? Whether you’re choosing romantic roses, cheerful sunflowers, or elegant lilies, understanding flower meanings can help you express exactly how you feel – without saying a word.

For any stage of a relationship, romantic or not, flowers can carry a wide range of meanings – from desire to passion or admiration. We’ve created a complete guide to flower meanings and what they symbolise so that you know what to choose next 😉.

Roses and Their Meanings

Roses are among the most iconic flowers in the world – with over 150 species and thousands of hybrids grown for their beauty, fragrance, and symbolism. Throughout history, cultures from Ancient Greece to Persia have celebrated roses as symbols of love, desire, and admiration.

But here’s the secret: rose flower meaning changes dramatically depending on colour. Let’s decode the most popular shades.

How to Choose Your Roses

Did you know that the colour of rose bouquet can convey a hidden meaning? To help you convey the right intention, we’ll explain what each rose colour means and what they symbolise. Just read on and know all about the hidden untold language of roses!

Red Roses Meaning

The classic deep red rose symbolises love and passion. Probably the most purchased colour over Valentine’s Day, red roses are the perfect choice for your romantic lover.

White Roses Meaning

White roses are associated with spirituality, remembrance and reverence. They are commonly used to pay homage at important life moments like a marriage or someone’s death.

Yellow Roses Meaning

Traditionally yellow roses implied jealousy and infidelity, but nowadays they are associated with friendship due to their positive and cheerful colour. A perfect option to boost a friend’s mood, lift spirits, and wish them a good recovery or wellbeing.

Pale Pink Roses Meaning

Not sure about the colour rose to get? Pale pink roses are THE go-to colour. Known as the most graceful and elegant classic rose, they have become a universal all-purpose gifting rose over the years.

Blue Roses Meaning

Blue roses symbolise mystery and the unattainable, as true, blue roses don’t naturally exist. They’re often gifted to represent intrigue, imagination, and secret admiration.

Rainbow Roses Meaning

Artificially dyed by splitting the stem and dipping each stem part in different coloured water. The kaleidoscope of colours brings an immediate sense of fun and joy which makes them a memorable flower – perfect to celebrate any happy moments.

Peach Roses Meaning

Understated and soft peach colour roses are a sign of modesty and sincerity. They could be great roses to send with a polite thank-you note to express your gratitude.

Orange Roses Meaning

Energetic and punchy in colour, vibrant orange roses can denote enthusiasm and playfulness. These roses can be a great birthday gift choice as their exuberance can inspire and delight.

Purple Roses Meaning

Purple roses have a celestial aura, and enchantment to them as they mirror the colours of our galaxy. Consequently, they can express creativity and infinite possibilities – a great choice to express love at first sight for example 😉

Black Roses Meaning

Universally used in fiction movies, they convey a sense of sorrow, loss, farewell and mortality. They are also often used at funerals because they are symbolic of a tragic romance as they relate to the sadness and sorrow that may occur in a relationship.

We hope these flower’ meanings brought you some new knowledge for you to pick your next bouquet wisely– whether it’s for your friends, grandma, life partner, or secret crush.

Other Popular Flowers and Their Meanings

While roses steal the spotlight, many other flowers carry beautiful symbolism too. Here’s a guide to some of the most-loved blooms and what they represent.

The Meaning of Lilies

The Romans used lilies to fill pillows and quilts because of their lovely scent. Lilies thereby became the source of the fragrance of love.

Nowadays, white lilies symbolise chastity and virtue (because they were the symbol of the Virgin Mary’s purity) whereas Peruvian lilies also called alstroemeria, represent friendship and devotion. This means they are therefore used as a 30th anniversary flower, with white lilies can also be used as a 2nd anniversary flower.

Lilies are also the flowers that are most associated with funerals, so they can often symbolise the soul of the departed who has received peace and restored innocence after death.

Ideal for: Anniversaries, funerals, sympathy, friendship.

The Meaning of Carnations

A great addition to most bouquets, this hardy, sweet fragrant flower is also the January birth month flower and the 1st wedding anniversary flower.

Carnations can be found in a wide range of colours, and while in general, they express love, fascination and distinction, virtually every colour carries a unique association. White carnations suggest pure love and good luck, light red is for admiration while dark red represents deep love and affection, and purple carnations imply capriciousness.

Ideal for: Romance, January birthdays, 1st anniversary, to wish good luck or farewell.

The Meaning of Freesias

Freesias originated from South Africa and are part of the Iris family which includes around 14 freesia species.

Its name comes from the botanist Christian P. Ecklon who named the flower after Friedrich H.T. Freese, a fellow botanist, as a commemoration of their friendship. For that reason, freesias’ have become symbolic of friendship, trust, and innocence.

Ideal for: Friends’ birthdays, Galentine’s Day, Friendship Day, and any of your Friend’s gatherings.

The Meaning of Iris Flowers

The iris symbolises wisdom, faith, hope and royalty. Its name comes from the Greek word for rainbow – reflecting its wide range of colours.

During the Middle Ages, irises were linked to the French monarchy, as it was the longest-ruling king Louis XIV main emblem, and so France. In Ancient Egypt, kings praised iris’ exotic nature, and a multitude of drawings were found in Egyptian palaces. Through its intricate popularity around the world, the meanings of the iris can denote royalty, but also include faith, hope, and wisdom.

Ideal for: Grandparents’ birthdays or anniversary celebrations, new job wishes, renewing vows ceremonies, commemoration days.

The Meaning of Sunflowers

Sunflowers represent happiness, warmth, and positivity – always turning towards the sun as a symbol of loyalty and joy.

Its scientific name, Helianthus, is just as literal because it combines the two Greek words for sun and flower. Consequently, it’s a great flower to offer at a birth, christening, or to cheer your friends up whatever the occasion.

Ideal for: Get well, birthdays, christenings, congratulations, passing exams.

The Meaning of Orchids

Orchids symbolise beauty, strength, and luxury. Historically linked to fertility and power, they’re now associated with elegance and refinement.

Orchids earned their name from the Greek word orchis, meaning testicle. Their fleshy round petals shapes were thought to resemble testicles, which is why ancient Greeks thought orchids were a symbol of virility. Also, the Aztecs reportedly mixed the vanilla orchid with chocolate to create a tasty elixir that was thought to promote power and strength.

Nowadays, orchid flowers are commonly used in perfumes and beauty products, and the beans of the Vanilla orchid are dried and used as a flavouring for sweet drinks and ice creams, soft drinks, or cakes.

Ideal for: any occasions from birthdays to baby showers, Mother’s Day, graduation, new home, retirement.

The Meaning of Peonies

Peonies represent romance, prosperity, and honour. Often used in weddings, they symbolise good fortune and happy relationships.

As an enduring symbol of honour and wealth in Eastern culture, it’s no wonder this flower has been cultivated and bred in China and Japan for hundreds of years. The plant is mainly grown by separating root masses and only sometimes by seed, and it’s tied in deeply with royalty and honour in those societies.

Pink or white peonies are a popular wedding flower, used in bouquets and table arrangements due to the fullness of their petals. When deep red peonies are tied to honour, wealth and prosperity.

Ideal for: Weddings, baby showers, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, engagements, anniversaries.

The Meaning of Daffodils

A well-known symbol of the Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal which happens every March to raise funds and awareness on people suffering from terminal illnesses.

Daffodils are European bulb flowers that typically bear bright yellow flowers with a long trumpet-shaped centre. They are the first flower in blossom when the days are getting warmer after winter, which is why they are often associated with springtime, rebirth, and hope, but also the symbol of the 10th wedding anniversary.

Ideal for: New job, new home, bon voyage, 10th wedding anniversary, hospital visits, thinking of you.

The Meaning of Tulips

Tulips represent perfect love and deep affection. Different colours can add further meaning, but overall, they’re a joyful, loving flower.

Tulips originated in Persia and Turkey, where it was widely used in the art of the time. As Europeans began liking taking to tulips, they became a true phenomenon in the Netherlands during the 17th century.

Tulips became so mass-produced because of the demand that new varieties and colours were crafted, like the “Dutch tulips.” Their meaning is generally perfect love.

Ideal for: Mother’s Day, any birthdays, new babies, get well, leaving, condolences, retirement, sorry and sympathy.

The Meaning of Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums generally symbolise joy and longevity, though meanings vary by culture. Often called “mums,” they’re especially popular on Mother’s Day.

The chrysanthemum is a very hardy and full flower that belongs to the Asteraceae family, which is the largest family of flowering plants and includes over 23,000 species.

Introduced in Europe in the 17th century, the chrysanthemum name is derived from the Greek words “chrysos” meaning gold, and “anthemon” meaning flower. Today they are also commonly referred to as “mums” in Australia and sold mainly on Mother’s Day.

Overall chrysanthemums signify joy and beauty although they hold positive and negative meanings across different time periods and cultures, and so can be used for pretty much any occasion.

Ideal for: Funerals, farewell, retirement, get well, sorry and sympathy, Mother’s Day, birthdays, new home.

Now You Know Your Flower Meanings – Time to Pick the Perfect Bunch!

Understanding flower meanings helps you choose blooms that speak straight from the heart. Whether you’re sending romantic roses, cheerful sunflowers, or elegant lilies, knowing the symbolism behind flowers and their meanings makes every bouquet more thoughtful and personal.

Now you’re ready to pick the perfect bunch – no guessing required!