What Do Different Types of Flowers Mean?

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Tarot reader, astrologer, and intuitive psychic Paige Ferris shares the symbolic meanings of flowers throughout history

Co-authored by Paige Ferris and Annabelle Reyes

Last Updated: July 9, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Flower Meanings & Symbolism
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• Rose Color Meanings
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• History of Victorian Floriography
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• Birth Flowers
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• More Resources

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Flowers are some of nature’s most beautiful works of art, and a fresh bouquet is a surefire way to brighten someone’s day. But did you know there’s actually a lot more to these blooms than their beauty? Throughout history, cultures have assigned specific meanings to different types of flowers, and they’ve even used the language of flowers to convey secret messages! In this article, we partnered with a tarot reader, astrologer, and intuitive psychic to go over the symbolic meanings of several kinds of flowers in a helpful chart, and we’ll also get into a bit of the history of in the Victorian Era. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

Flower Symbolism Chart: An Overview

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Tarot reader, astrologer, and intuitive psychic Paige Ferris says flowers are a good way to send symbolic messages. Flowers have carried deep symbolic meanings throughout history, and there are hundreds of blooms, each with its own associations. Here are the most common flowers and what they represent:

• Carnation: Fascination, female love
• Daffodil: Unrequited love, new beginnings
• Freesia: Friendship, trust
• Gardenia: Secret love
• Lily: Innocence, purity
• Rose: Love, beauty
• Tulip: Declaration of love
• Violet: Faithfulness, modesty

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Section 1 of 5:

What do different flowers symbolize?

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1. 
   When people send flowers, they often ask florists to design based on a mood or intention, says Ferris. They carry undertones or deeper meanings based not only on the flower's appearance but also on its qualities. For example, people send roses as a sign of love, peace lilies as an offering of peace and comfort during funerals, and sunflowers to offer brightness and joy. Here’s a helpful chart including some of the most popular blooms—you may want to use it to create a bouquet that conveys a specific message to someone!

   Flower Name Meaning Abatina Fickleness Aloe Affection or grief Amaryllis Pride Anemone Forsaken Apple blossom Preference Aster Daintiness or patience Azalea Take care of yourself, or fragile passion Baby's breath Everlasting love Basil Good wishes Begonia Beware Belladonna Silence Black-eyed Susan Justice Bluebell Humility Cactus Ardent love Calla Beauty Camellia (pink) Longing for you Camellia (red) You're a flame in my heart Camellia (white) You're adorable Carnation Fascination, female love Carnation (pink) I'll never forget you Carnation (red) Admiration Carnation (purple) Capriciousness Carnation (white) Sweet, lovely Carnation (yellow) Disdain Carnation (striped) I cannot be with you Chamomile Patience in adversity Chrysanthemum (red) I love you Chrysanthemum (yellow) Slightly loved Chrysanthemum (white) Truth Clematis Mental beauty, wit Clover Providence Crab blossom Ill nature Crocus Cheerfulness Cyclamen Resignation, goodbye Daffodil Regard, unequaled love, new beginnings Dahlia Good taste, pomp Daisy Innocence, loyal love, purity, I'll never tell Dandelion Faithfulness, happiness Daylily Coquetry Dill Powerful against evil Edelweiss Courage, devotion Fern Secret bond of love Freesia Friendship, trust Forget-me-not True love, memories Forsythia Anticipation Gardenia Secret love Geranium Stupidity, folly Gerber Daisy Cheerfulness Gladiolus Strong character, I'm really sincere, you pierce my heart Heliotrope Eternal love, devotion Hibiscus Delicate beauty Holly Defense, domestic happiness Honeysuckle Bonds of love Hyacinth Rashness, play Hydrangea Thank you for understanding, heartlessness, frigidity Iris Faith, hope, trust, wisdom, valor Ivy Wedded love, friendship, fidelity, affection Jasmine (white) Sweet love, amiability Jasmine (yellow) Elegance, grace Jonquil Desire, love me Larkspur Playful, frivolous Lavender Distrust Lilac First emotions of love Lily (white) Life, chastity, innocence, purity Lily (yellow) Happy, walking on air Lily (orange) Hatred Lily of the valley Sweetness, humility, return to happiness Lotus Purity, enlightenment, rebirth Magnolia Nobility Marigold Cruelty, grief, or jealousy Mistletoe Kiss me, affection Morning glory Affection Moss Maternal love, charity Myrtle Good luck, love in a marriage Narcissus Egotism, formality Nasturtium Patriotism, conquest, victory in battle Orchid Beauty, love Pansy Thoughts Peony Shame, bashful, happy life, marriage Petunia Resentment, anger, your presence soothes me Poinsettia Be of good cheer Poppy Eternal sleep, oblivion, imagination Primrose I cannot live without you Rhododendron Danger, beware Rose Love, beauty Rosemary Remembrance Rue Grace, clear vision Sage Good health, long life Snapdragon Deception, gracious lady Sunflower Pride, sunshine, devotion Sweet Pea Goodbye, thank you for a lovely time, blissful pleasure Tansy Hostile thoughts, declaring war Thyme Courage, strength Tiger Lily Wealth, pride Tulip (red) Declaration of love, believe me Tulip (yellow) Sunshine and smiles Violet Faithfulness, modesty Willow Sadness Wisteria Will you dance with me? Zinnia Lasting affection, constancy
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Section 2 of 5:

Rose Color Meanings

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1. 
   Roses may be the most widely-recognized romantic symbol of all time, so it’s no wonder that there’s an even more specific language of flowers just for them! Below, you’ll find the meanings of different colored roses, so you can pick the right color for your unique situation!

   • Red: Love, respect, courage
   • Pink: Grace, admiration, happiness
   • Peach: Modesty, gratitude, appreciation
   • Orange: Fascination
   • Yellow: Infidelity, jealousy, decrease in love
   • White: Purity, secrecy, a new beginning, a fresh start
   • Purple: Enchantment
   • Lavender: Love at first sight
   • Dark crimson: Mourning

Section 3 of 5:

Flower Meanings in the Victorian Era

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1. 
   In the Victorian era, flowers were used as a code to express emotions. Popular in the 19th century, when social etiquette implied a more reserved way of expressing feelings, floriography was a symbolic system used to send "coded" messages through flowers, as Ferris explains. Heavily based on the colors, shapes, and qualities of flowers, it was seen as an art—a way to convey unspoken feelings and ideas. Different flowers, even different colors of the same flowers, carry specific meanings. So, bouquets and arrangements were made to convey a deeper message, whether love, friendship, gratitude, or even rejection.

   • For example, daffodils meant “you’re the only one” or “unrequited love,” so someone might send this flower to signal that they hadn’t moved on from someone.
   • On the flip side, yellow carnations symbolized disdain, so they could be a subtle (yet very effective) way to let someone know that one did not return their affections.
   • The language of flowers wasn’t just reserved for romance! Chrysanthemums represented truth and friendship, so they could be a beautiful gift for a friend.
   • A gift of a single flower emphasized the specific meaning of that bloom, and a bouquet could be used to create a more complex message.
   • One of Ferris’ favorite references is "Floral Estrangements" by Rebecca Fishbein, as it highlights the sassier side of how floriography has been used in underhanded ways, despite still appearing beautiful and socially light.
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Section 4 of 5:

Birth Month Flowers

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1. 
   Each month of the year is associated with a specific flower. As a result, each person has a special “birth flower,” just like they have a birthstone! If you want to do something extra special for someone’s birthday this year, consider sending them a bouquet that includes their birth flower:

   • January: Carnation
   • February: Violet, iris
   • March: Daffodil
   • April: Sweet pea, daisy, peony
   • May: Lily of the valley
   • June: Rose
   • July: Larkspur, delphinium
   • August: Gladiolus, dahlia
   • September: Aster
   • October: Calendula
   • November: Chrysanthemum
   • December: Narcissus, poinsettia, holly

Section 5 of 5:

More Resources on Flower Symbolism

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1. Looking for more on flower meanings and symbolism? We’ve got you covered! As Ferris explains, certain flowers imply celebration (like a big, colorful arrangement), calmness (peace lilies, or simple, soft colors), or love and gratitude (roses or carnations). Here are a few helpful resources to explore:

   • Flowers that Mean Healing
   • Flowers that Mean Strength
   • Flowers that Symbolize Death
   • Flowers for the Zodiac Signs
   • Yellow Flowers & Their Meanings
   • What Your Favorite Flower Says About You
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