The Secret Meaning of Flowers

Excerpts from Kate Greenaway's "The Language of Flowers"

Symbolism

The Language of Flowers is a Victorian-era guide to the symbolic meaning of various flowers and plants.

The book explores the meanings associated with different flowers, such as roses for love, lilies for purity, and violets for modesty.

Our tool has organized the meanings to expose the secret messages within the petals.

The Meaning of Flowers

Abatina

Fickleness.

Abecedary

Volatility.

Acacia

Friendship.

Acacia, Rose or White

Elegance.

Acacia, Yellow

Secret love.

Acalia

Temperance.

Acanthus

The fine arts. Artifice.

Achillea Millefolia

War.

Aconite (Wolfsbane)

Misanthropy.

Aconite, Crowfoot

Lustre.

Adonis, Flos

Painful recollections.

African Marigold

Vulgar minds.

Agnus Castus

Coldness. Indifference.

Agrimony

Thankfulness. Gratitude.

Allspice

Compassion.

Almond (Common)

Stupidity. Indiscretion.

Almond (Flowering)

Hope.

Almond, Laurel

Perfidy

Aloe

Grief. Religious superstition.

Althaea Frutex (Syrian Mallow)

Persuasion.

Alyssum (Sweet)

Worth beyond beauty.

Amaranth (Cockscomb)

Foppery. Affectation.

Amaranth (Globe)

Immortality. Unfading love.

Amaryllis

Pride. Timidity. Splendid beauty.

Ambrosia

Love returned.

American Cowslip

Divine beauty.

American Elm

Patriotism.

American Linden

Matrimony.

American Starwort

Welcome to a stranger. Cheerfulness in old age.

Amethyst

Admiration.

Anemone (Garden)

Forsaken.

Anemone (Zephyr Flower)

Sickness. Expectation.

Angelica

Inspiration.

Angrec

Royalty.

Apocynum (Dog’s Vane)

Deceit.

Apple

Temptation.

Apple (Blossom)

Preference. Fame speaks him great and good.

Apple, Thorn

Deceitful charms.

Arbor Vitæ

Unchanging Friendship. Live for me.

Arum (Wake Robin)

Ardour.

Ash Tree

Grandeur.

Ash-leaved Trumpet Flower

Separation.

Aspen Tree

Lamentation.

Asphodel

My regrets follow you to the grave.

Aster (China)

Variety. Afterthought.

Auricula

Painting.

Auricula, Scarlet

Avarice.

Austurtium

Splendour.

Azalea

Temperance.

Bachelor’s Buttons

Celibacy.

Balm

Sympathy.

Balm of Gilead

Cure. Relief.

Balm, Gentle

Pleasantry.

Balsam, Red

Touch me not. Impatient resolves.

Balsam, Yellow

Impatience.

Barberry

Sourness of temper.

Barberry Tree

Sharpness.

Basil

Hatred.

Bay (Rose) Rhododendron

Danger. Beware.

Bay Leaf

I change but in death.

Bay Tree

Glory.

Bay Wreath

Reward of merit.

Bearded Crepis

Protection.

Bee Ophrys

Error.

Bee Orchis

Industry.

Beech Tree

Prosperity.

Bell Flower (small white)

Gratitude.

Bell Flower, Pyramidal

Constancy.

Belladonna

Silence

Belvedere

I declare against you.

Betony

Surprise.

Bilberry

Treachery.

Bindweed, Great

Insinuation.

Bindweed, Small

Humility.

Birch

Meekness.

Birdsfoot Trefoil

Revenge.

Bittenweet; Nightshade

Truth.

Black Poplar

Courage.

Blackthorn

Difficulty.

Bladder Nut Tree

Frivolity. Amusement.

Blue-flowered Greek Valerian

Rupture.

Bluebell

Constancy.

Bluebottle (Centaury)

Delicacy.

Borage

Bluntness.

Boras Henricus

Goodness.

Box Tree

Stoicism.

Bramble

Lowliness. Envy. Remorse.

Branch of Currants

You please all.

Branch of Thorns

Severity. Rigour.

Bridal Rose

Happy love.

Broom

Humility. Neatness.

Buckbean

Calm repose.

Bud of White Rose

Heart ignorant of love.

Bugloss

Falsehood.

Bulrush

Indiscretion. Docility.

Bundle of Reeds, with their Panicles

Music.

Burdock

Importunity. Touch me not.

Buttercup (Kingcup)

Ingratitude. Childishness.

Butterfly Orchis

Gaiety.

Butterfly Weed

Let me go.

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