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

Cabbage

Profit.

Cabbage meant profit.

Cacalia

Adulation.

Cactus

Warmth.

Calla Æthiopica

Magnificent Beauty.

Calycanthui

Benevolence.

Camellia Japonica, Red

Unpretending excellence.

Camellia Japonica, White

Perfected loveliness.

Camomile

Energy in adversity.

Canary Grass

Perseverance.

Candytuft

Indifference.

Canterbury Bell

Acknowledgement.

Cape Jasmine

I’m too happy.

Cardamine

Paternal error.

Cardinal Flower

Dittitutim.

Carnation, Deep Red

Alas! for my poor heart.

Carnation, Striped

Refusal.

Carnation, Yellow

Disdain.

Catchfly

Snare.

Catchfly, Red

Youthful love.

Catchfly, White

Betrayed.

Cedar

Strength.

Cedar Leaf

I live for thee.

Cedar of Lebanon

Incorruptible.

Celandine (Lesser)

Joys to come.

Centaury

Delicacy.

Cereus (Creeping)

Modest genius.

Champignon

Suspicion.

Chequered Fritillary

Persecution.

Cherry Tree

Good education.

Cherry Tree, White

Deception.

Chesnut Tree

Do me justice. Luxury.

Chickweed

Rendezvous.

Chicory

Frugality.

China Aster

Variety.

China Aster, Double

I partake your sentiments.

China Aster, Single

I will think of it.

China Rose

Beauty always new.

China or Indian Pink

Aversion.

Chinese Chrysanthemum

Cheerfulness under adversity.

Christmas Rose

Relieve my anxiety.

Chrysanthemum, Red

I love.

Chrysanthemum, White

Truth.

Chrysanthemum, Yellow

Slighted love.

Cinquefoil

Maternal affection.

Circaa

Spell.

Cistus, Gum

I shall die to-morrow.

Cistus, or Rock Rose

Popular favour.

Citron

Ill-natured beauty.

Clematis

Mental beauty.

Clematis, Evergreen

Poverty.

Clotbur

Rudeness. Pertinacity.

Clover, Four-leaved

Be mine.

Clover, Red

Industry.

Clover, White

Think of me.

Cloves

Dignity.

Cobæea

Gossip.

Cockscomb Amaranth

Foppery. Affectation. Singularity.

Colchicum, or Meadow Saffron

My best days are past.

Coltsfoot

Justice shall be done.

Columbine

Folly.

Columbine, Purple

Resolved to win.

Columbine, Red

Anxious and trembling.

Convolvulus

Bonds.

Convolvulus, Blue (Minor)

Repose. Night.

Convolvulus, Major

Extinguished hopes.

Convolvulus, Pink

Worth sustained by judicious and tender affection.

Corchorus

Impatient of absence.

Coreopsis

Always cheerful.

Coreopsis Arkansa

Love at first sight.

Coriander

Hidden worth.

Corn

Riches.

Corn Bottle

Delicacy.

Corn Cockle

Gentility.

Corn Straw

Agreement.

Corn, Broken

Quarrel.

Cornel Tree

Duration.

Coronella

Success crown your wishes.

Cowslip

Pensiveness. Winning grace.

Cowslip, American

Divine beauty. You are my divinity.

Cranberry

Cure for heartache.

Creeping Cereus

Horror.

Cress

Stability. Power.

Crocus

Abuse not.

Crocus, Saffron

Mirth.

Crocus, Spring

Youthful gladness.

Crowfoot

Ingratitude.

Crowfoot (Aconite-leaved)

Lustre.

Crown Imperial

Majesty. Power.

Crowsbill

Envy.

Cuckoo Plant

Ardour.

Cudweed, American

Unceasing remembrance.

Currant

Thy frown will kill me.

Cuscuta

Meanness.

Cyclamen

Diffidence.

Cypress

Death. Mourning.

Daffodil

Regard.

Dahlia

Instability.

Daisy

Innocence.

Daisy, Garden

I share your sentiments

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