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

Sensitive Plant

Sensibility. Delicate feelings.

Senvy

Indifference.

Shamrock

Light heartedness.

Snakesfoot

Horror.

Snapdragon

Presumption.

Snowball

Bound.

Snowdrop

Hope.

Sorrel

Affection.

Sorrel, Wild

Wit ill-timed.

Sorrel, Wood

Joy.

Southernwood

Jest. Bantering.

Spanish Jasmine

Sensuality.

Spearmint

Warmth of sentiment.

Speedwell

Female fidelity.

Speedwell, Germander

Facility.

Speedwell, Spiked

Semblance.

Spider, Ophrys

Adroitness.

Spiderwort

Esteem not love.

Spiked Willow Herb

Pretension.

Spindle Tree

Your charms are engraven on my heart.

Star of Bethlehem

Purity.

Starwort

Afterthought.

Starwort, American

Cheerfulness in old age.

Stock

Lasting beauty.

Stock, Ten Week

Promptness.

Stonecrop

Tranquillity.

Straw, Broken

Rupture of a contract.

Straw, Whole

Union.

Strawberry Tree

Esteem and love.

Sumach, Venice

Splendour. Intellectual excellence.

Sunflower, Dwarf

Adoration.

Sunflower, Tall

Haughtiness.

Swallow-wort

Cure for heartache.

Sweet Basil

Good wishes.

Sweet Pea

Delicate pleasures.

Sweet Sultan

Felicity.

Sweet William

Gallantry.

Sweetbrier, American

Simplicity.

Sweetbrier, European

I wound to heal.

Sweetbrier, Yellow

Decrease of love.

Sycamore

Curiosity.

Syringa

Memory.

Syringa, Carolina

Disappointment.

Tamarisk

Crime.

Tansy (Wild)

I declare war against you.

Teasel

Misanthropy.

Tendrils of Climbing Plants

Ties.

Thistle, Common

Austerity.

Thistle, Fuller’s

Misanthropy

Thistle, Scotch

Retaliation.

Thorn Apple

Deceitful charms.

Thorn, Branch of

Severity.

Thrift

Sympathy.

Throatwort

Neglected beauty.

Thyme

Activity.

Tiger Flower

For once may pride befriend me.

Traveller’s Joy

Safety.

Tree of Life

Old age.

Trefoil

Revenge.

Tremella Nestoc

Resistance.

Trillium Pictum

Modest beauty.

Truffle

Surprise.

Trumpet Flower

Fame.

Tuberose

Dangerous pleasures.

Tulip

Fame.

Tulip, Red

Declaration of love.

Tulip, Variegated

Beautiful eyes.

Tulip, Yellow

Hopeless love.

Turnip

Charity.

Tussilage (Sweet-scented)

Justice shall be done you.

Valerian

An accommodating disposition.

Valerian, Greek

Rupture.

Venice Sumach

Intellectual excellence. Splendour.

Venus’ Car

Fly with me.

Venus’ Looking-glass

Flattery.

Venus’ Trap

Deceit.

Vernal Grass

Poor, but happy.

Veronica

Fidelity.

Vervain

Enchantment.

Vine

Intoxication.

Violet, Blue

Faithfulness.

Violet, Dame

Watchfulness.

Violet, Sweet

Modesty.

Violet, Yellow

Rural happiness.

Virginian Spiderwort

Momentary happiness.

Virgin’s Bower

Filial love.

Volkamenia

May you be happy.

Wall-flower

Fidelity in adversity.

Walnut

Intellect. Stratagem.

Water Lily

Purity of heart.

Water Melon

Bulkiness.

Wax Plant

Susceptibility.

Wheat Stalk

Riches.

Whin

Anger.

White Jasmine

Amiableness.

White Lily

Purity and Modesty.

White Mullein

Good nature.

White Oak

Independence.

White Pink

Talent.

White Poplar

Time.

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