The Language of Flowers


from the Vicorian Era and around the world

Last Updated 11th of August 1998

Find the meaning of a flower (In alphabetical order)

From A - L Below From M - Z Next Page

A B C D E F G

H I J K M - Z



A

Abatina - Fickleness

Abecedary - Volubility

Acacia - Friendship



Acalia - Temperance

Acanthus - The fine arts, Artifice

Achillea Millefolia - War

Aconite (Wolfsbane) - Misanthropy

Aconite-leaved Crowfoot - Lustre

Adonis, Flos - Painful Recollections

African Marigold - Vulgar Minds

Agnus Castus - Coldness, Indifference

Agrimony - Thankfulness, Gratitude

Allspice - Compassion

Almond -

Aloe - Grief, Bitterness, Religious Superstition

Althea Frutex (Syrian Mallow) - Persuasion

Alyssum, Sweet - Worth beyond beauty

Amaranth Globe - Immortality, Unfading Love

Amaranth, Cockscomb - Foppery, Affectation

Amaryllis - Pride, Haughtiness, Timidity, Splendid Beauty

Ambrosia - Love Returned

American Cowslip - Divine Beauty, You are my divinity

American Elm - Patriotism

American Linden - Matrimony

American Starwort - Welcome to a stranger, Cheerfulness in old age

Amethyst - Admiration

Anemone (Zephyr Flower)- Expectation



Angelica - Inspiration

Angrec - Royalty

Apocynum (Dogsbane) - Deceit

Apple - Temptation

Apple Blossom - Preference, Fame speaks him great and good

Apple, Thorn - Decietful charms

Arbor Vitae - Unchanging friendship, Live for me

Arum (Wake Robin) - Ardour

Arum Lily - Purity

Ash-leaved Trumpet Flower - Separation

Ash Tree - Grandeur

Aspen Tree - Lamentation

Asphodel - My regrets follow you to the grave

Aster - Variety

Auricula - Painting

Austurtium - Splendor

Azalea (Azalea indica) - Temperance, True to the end

B

Bachelor's Button - Love and Marriage, Blessed celibacy

Balm (Melissa officinalis)- Sympathy

Balsam

Barberry - Sourness of temper

Barberry Tree - Sharpness

Basil - Hatred (Named for the Greek `Basileus' or `King')

Bay

Bearded Crepis - Protection

Beech Tree - Prosperity

Bee Orchis - Industry

Bee Ophrys - Error

Belladonna - Silence, death

Bellflower

Belvedere - I declare against you

Betony (Stachys officinalis) - Suprise

Bilberry - Treachery

Bindweed

Birch - Meekness

Birdsfoot Trefoil - Revenge

Bittersweet Nightshade - Truth

Black Poplar - Courage

Blackthorn - Difficulty

Bladder Nut Tree - Frivolity, Amusement

Bluebell - Constant Kindness, constancy

Bluebottle (Centaury) - Delicacy

Blue-flowered Greek Valerian - Rupture

Borage - Bluntness

Borus Henricus - Goodness

Bouquet - Gallantry

Box Tree - Stoicism

Bramble - Lowliness, Envy, Remorse

Branch of

Bridal Rose - Happy Love

Broom - Neatness, humility

Buckbean - Calm repose

Bugloss - Falsehood

Bulrush - Indiscretion, Docility

Bundle of Reeds (With their panicles) - Music, Complaisance

Burdock - Importunity, Touch me not

Buttercup (Kingcup) - Cheerful but ungrateful, Ingratitude, Desire for riches, childishness, Blessed celibacy

Butterfly Orchis - Gaiety

Butterfly Weed - Let me go

C

Cabbage - Profit

Cacalia - Adulation

Cactus - Warmth

Calla Aethiopica - Magnificent Beauty

Calycanthus - Benevolence

Camellia Japonica

Camomile - Energy in Adversity

Canary Grass - Perseverance

Candytuft, Everflowering - Indifference

Canterbury Bell - Acknowledgment

Cape Jasmine - I am too happy, Transport of Joy

Cardamine - Paternal error

Cardinal Flower - Distinction

Carnation - Fascination, bonds of affection, pure love

Carrot Flower - Do not refuse me

Catchfly - Snare

Cedar - Strength

Celandine, Lesser - Joys to come

Centaury - Delicacy

Cereus, Creeping - Modest genius, horror

Chamomile - Energy even when troubled

Champignon (Mushroom) - Suspicion

Chervil, garden - Sincerity

Chequered Fritillary - Persecution

Cherry Tree - Good Education

Chestnut Tree - Do me justice, Luxury

Chickweed - Rendezvous

Chicory - Frugality

China Aster - Variety

China or Indian Pink - Aversion

China Rose - Beauty always new

Christmas Rose - Relieve my anxiety

Chrysanthemums -

Cineraria - Ever Bright

Cinnamon - My Fortune is yours

Cinquefoil - Maternal affection

Circaea - Spell

Cistus (Rock Rose) - Popular favour

Citron - Ill-natured beauty

Clematis - Mental beauty, Pure Love

Clotbur - Rudeness, Pertinacity

Clover

Clove - I have long loved you and you have not known it

Cloves - Dignity

Cobaea - Gossip

Cockscomb Amaranth - Foppery, affectation, singularity

Colchicum - My best days are past

Coltsfoot - Justice shall be done

Columbine - Folly

Convulvus - Bonds

Corchorus - Impatient of absence

Coreopsis - Always cheerful

Coriander - Hidden worth

Corn - Riches

Corn Bottle - Delicacy

Corn Cockle - Gentility

Cornel Tree - Duration

Cornflower - Delicate

Corn Straw - Agreement

Coronella - Success crown your wishes

Cowslip - Pensiveness, Winning grace

Cranberry - Cure for heartache

Creeping Cereus - Horror, Modest genius

Cress - Stability, power

Crocus - Do not abuse

Crown Imperial - Majesty, power

Crowfoot - Ingratitude

Crowsbill - Envy

Cuckoo Plant - Ardour

Cudweed, American - Unceasing rememberance

Currant - Thy frown will kill me

Cuscuta - Meanness

Cyclamen - Diffidence

Cypress - Death, Mourning, Despair

D

Daffodil - Regard

Dahlia - Instability

Daisy - Innocence

Damask Rose - Brilliant complexion, freshness

Dandelion - Love's Oracle, Rustic oracle, Depart

Daphne (Odora) - Gilding the Lily

Darnel (Ray Grass) - Vice

Dead Leaves - Sadness, Melancholy

Dew Plant - A serenade

Diosma - Uselessness

Dittany of Crete - Birth

Dock - Patience

Dodder of Thyme - Baseness

Dogsbane - Deceit, Falsehood

Dogwood - Durability

Dragon Plant - Snare

Dragonswort - Horror

Dried Flax - Utility

E

Ebony Tree - Blackness

Eglantine (European Sweetbrier) - Poetry, I wound to heal

Elder - Zealousness

Elm - Dignity

Enchanter's Nightshade - Witchcraft, Sorcery

Endive - Frugality

Escholtzia - Do not refuse, Sweetness

Eupatorium - Delay

Everflowering Candytuft - Indifference

Evergreen Clematis - Poverty

Evergreen Thorn - Solace in adversity

Everlasting - Never-ceasing rememberance

Everlasting Pea - Lasting pleasure

F

Fennel - Worthy of all praise, Strength

Fern - Sincerity, Fascination

Ficoides (Ice Plant) - Your looks freeze me

Fig - Argument

Filbert - Reconciliation

Fir - Time everlasting

Flax - Domestic industry, Fate, I feel your kindness

Flax-leaved Goldy-locks - Tardiness

Fleur de Lis - Flame, I burn

Fleur de Luce - Fire

Flowering Fern - Reverie

Flowering Reed - Confidence in heaven

Flower of an hour - Delicate Beauty

Fly Orchis - Error

Fly Trap - Deceit

Fool's Parsley - Silliness

Forget me Not - Remember, True Love, Undying Love (It is said that steel dipped in the boiling juice of the forget me not will become hard enough to cut through stone)

Foxglove - Insincerity

Foxtail Grass - Sporting

Frankincense - The incense of a Faithful Heart

French Honeysuckle - Rustic Beauty

French Marigold - Jealousy

French Willow - Bravery and Humanity

Frog Ophrys - Disgust

Fuchsia, Scarlet - Taste

Fuller's Teasel - Misanthropy

Fumitory - Spleen

G

Garden Anemone - Forsaken

Garden Chevril - Sincerity

Garden Daisy - I share your sentiments

Garden Marigold - Uneasiness

Garden Ranunculus - You are rich in attractions

Garden Sage - Esteem

Garland of Roses - Reward of virtue

Gathered Flowers - We will die together

Gentian - You are unjust

Geranium - Gentility

Germander Speedwell - Facility

Gillyflower - Bonds of affection

Gladiolus - Strength of character

Glory Flower - Glorious Beauty

Gloxinia - A proud spirit

Goat's Rue - Reason

Goldenrod - Careful Encouragement, Precaution

Gooseberry - Anticipation

Gourd - Extent, bulkiness

Grape, Wild - Charity

Grass - Useful, submission

Guelder Rose - Winter, age

H

Hand Flower Tree - Warning

Harebell - Submission, grief

Hawkweed - Quicksightedness

Hawthorn - Hope

Hazel - Reconciliation

Heath - Solitude

Helenium - Tears

Heliotrope - Devotion, Faithfulness

Hellebore - Scandal, Calumny

Helmet Flower (Monkshood) - Chivalry, Knight-errantry

Hemlock - You will be my death, Evil, Black magic

Hemp - Fate

Henbane - Imperfection

Hepatica - Confidence

Hibiscus - Delicate Beauty

Holly - Foresight (Apparently witches are supposed to hate holly)

Holly Herb - Enchantment

Hollyhock - Fruitfullness, Ambition, Fecundity

Honesty - Honesty, Sincerity, Fascination

Honey Flower - Love sweet and secret

Honeysuckle - Generous and devoted affection, Sweet bonds of love

Hop - Injustice

Hornbeam - Ornament

Horse Chestnut - Luxury

Hortensia - You are cold

Houseleek - Vivacity, Domestic industry

Houstonia - Content

Hoya - Sculpture

Humble Plant - Despondency

Hundred-leaved Rose - Dignity of Mind, Pride

Hyacinth - Sport, Game, Play

Hydrangea - A boaster, Heartlessness

Hyssop - Cleanliness

I

Iceland Moss - Health

Ice Plant - Your looks freeze me

Imperial Montague - Power

Indian Cress - Warlike Trophy

Indian Jasmine

Indian Pink, Double - Always lovely

Indian Plum - Privation

Iris - My compliments, I have a message for you

Ivy - Frienship, fidelity, marriage

J

Jacob's Ladder - Come down

Japan Rose - Beauty is your only attraction

Jasmine - amiability

Jonquil - Have pity on my passion, I desire a return of affection

Judas Tree - Unbelief, Betrayal

Juniper - Succour, Protection, Success

Juniper Berry - Protection and asylum from enemies (Is supposed to ward off evil spirits when burnt)

Justica - The perfection of female loveliness

K

Kennedia - Mental Beauty

Kingcup - Desire for Riches, Ingratitude, Childishness

L

Laburnum - Forsaken, Pensive Beauty

Lady's Slipper - Capricious beauty, Win me and wear me

Lagerstraemia, Indian - Eloquence

Lantana - Rigour

Larch - Audacity, Boldness

Larkspur - Lightness, Levity, Purity

Laurel - Glory

Laurel-leaved Magnolia - Dignity

Laurestina - A token, I die if neglected

Lavender - Distrust

Leaves, Dead - Sadness

Lemon - Zest

Lemon Blossoms - Fidelity in love

Lettuce - Cold-heartedness

Lichen - Dejection, Solitude

Lilac -

Lily -

Lily of the Valley - Return of Happiness (Supposed by some to help the memory)

Lime or Linden Tree - Conjugal Love

Lint - I feel my obligations

Liquorice, Wild - I declare against you

Live Oak - Liberty

Liverwort - Confidence

Lobelia - Malvolence

Locust Tree - Elegance

London Pride - Frivolity

Lote Tree - Concord

Lotus - Eloquence, Divine Love

Love-in-a-mist - Perplexity

Love-in-idleness - Love at first sight

Love Lies Bleeding - Hopeless, Not heartless

Lucern - Life

Lupin - Voraciousness, Imagination

From M - Z Next Page

On the placement and inclination of Flowers

A flower inclined to the right implies a personal comment about the recipient
For example - A White Lily inclined to the right implies `You are all purity and sweetness'.

A flower inclined to the left implies a personal message about the one who gave it.

If the flower is placed in the hair it means caution.

Placed in the cleavage a flower means remeberance or friendship.

While a flower placed over the heart indicates love.





OK, so I spiced it up a bit by adding some things other than flowers.


Some of the information supplied on this page is garnered from these Books: Knock on Wood - written by Carole Potter, The Illuminated Language of Flowers - illustrated by Kate Greenaway and written by Jean Marsh, The Illustrated Language of Flowers - Magic, Meaning and Lore - written by Frances Kelly and illustrated by Amanda Cunliffe
Background Pattern by Feyd Rautha. The Rosebars are mine and need much work.

Links
Send Some flowers


Rose, Rose, Rose Red,
Shall I ever see thee wed?
I'll marry that I shall sir,
When I am Dead.

-Old English Song (I think)




Back to Where Darkness Gathers

This page hosted by GeoCities Get your own Free Home Page


1