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

Hibiscus

Delicate beauty.

Holly

Foresight.

Holly Herb

Enchantment.

Hollyhock

Ambition. Fecundity.

Honesty

Honesty. Fascination.

Honey Flower

Love sweet and secret.

Honeysuckle

Generous and devoted affection.

Honeysuckle (French)

Rustic beauty.

Honeysuckle Coral

The colour of my fate.

Hop

Injustice.

Hornbeam

Ornament.

Horse Chesnut

Luxury.

Hortensia

You are cold.

Houseleek

Vivacity. Domestic industry.

Houstonia

Content.

Hoya

Sculpture.

Humble Plant

Despondency.

Hundred-leaved Rose

Dignity of mind.

Hyacinth

Sport. Game. Play.

Hyacinth, White

Unobtrusive loveliness.

Hydrangea

A boaster. Heartlessness.

Hyssop

Cleanliness.

Ice Plant

Your looks freeze me.

Iceland Moss

Health.

Imperial Montague

Power.

Imported item 189

Imported item 464

loveliness.

Imported item 534

coquettes. Fashion.

Indian Cress

Warlike trophy.

Indian Jasmine (Ipomœa)

Attachment.

Indian Pink (Double)

Always lovely.

Indian Plum

Privation.

Iris

Message.

Iris, German

Flame.

Ivy

Fidelity. Marriage.

Ivy, Sprig of, with tendrils

Assiduous to please.

Jacob’s Ladder

Come down.

Japan Rose

Beauty is your only attraction.

Jasmine

Amiability.

Jasmine, Cape

Transport of joy.

Jasmine, Carolina

Separation.

Jasmine, Indian

I attach myself to you.

Jasmine, Spanish

Sensuality.

Jasmine, Yellow

Grace and elegance.

Jonquil

I desire a return of affection.

Judas Tree

Unbelief. Betrayal.

Juniper

Succour. Protection.

Justicia

The perfection of female loveliness.

Kennedia

Mental Beauty.

King-cups

Desire of Riches.

Laburnum

Forsaken. Pensive Beauty.

Lady’s Slipper

Capricious Beauty. Win me and wear me.

Lagerstræmia, Indian

Eloquence.

Lantana

Rigour.

Larch

Audacity. Boldness.

Larkspur

Lightness. Levity.

Larkspur, Pink

Fickleness.

Larkspur, Purple

Haughtiness.

Laurel

Glory.

Laurel, Common, in flower

Perfidy.

Laurel, Ground

Perseverance.

Laurel, Mountain

Ambition.

Laurel-leaved Magnolia

Dignity.

Laurestina

A token. I die if neglected.

Lavender

Distrust.

Leaves (dead)

Melancholy.

Lemon

Zest.

Lemon Blossoms

Fidelity in lore.

Lettuce

Cold-heartedness.

Lichen

Dejection. Solitude.

Licorice, Wild

I declare against you.

Lilac, Field

Humility.

Lilac, Purple

First emotions of love.

Lilac, White

Youthful Innocence.

Lily of the Valley

Return of happiness.

Lily, Day

Coquetry.

Lily, Imperial

Majesty.

Lily, White

Purity. Sweetness.

Lily, Yellow

Falsehood. Gaiety.

Linden or Lime Trees

Conjugal love.

Lint

I feel my obligations.

Live Oak

Liberty.

Liverwort

Confidence.

Lobelia

Malevolence.

Locust Tree

Elegance.

Locust Tree (green)

Affection beyond the grave.

London Pride

Frivolity.

Lote Tree

Concord.

Lotus

Eloquence.

Lotus Flower

Estranged love.

Lotus Leaf

Recantation.

Love in a Mist

Perplexity.

Love lies Bleeding

Hopeless, not heartless.

Lucern

Life.

Lupine

Voraciousness. Imagination.

Madder

Calumny.

Magnolia

Love of Nature.

Magnolia, Swamp

Perseverance.

Mallow

Mildness.

Mallow, Marsh

Beneficence.

Join the Frequent Flower Club

The only thing better than flowers THIS week are flowers EVERY week! Become a Pozy Frequent Flower and we will automatically deliver flowers every week/month based on your needs and the freshest available flowers.

Tick Icon White
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Tick Icon White
Whoops! Something's gone wrong. Try again?