The Language of Flowers: Understanding Their Symbolism

March 25, 2024

Speaking Through Flowers

A monarch rests on a zinnia at Ostara's Grove Flower Farm in Lunenburg, Vermont

Flowers, with their various hues, shapes, and scents, have long been a favorite subject of poets, artists, and dreamers. But did you know that flowers also have a language of their own? Known as floriography, the language of flowers is a means of cryptological communication through the use or arrangement of flowers. Let’s dig into this enchanting world and understand the symbolism behind some popular blooms.

Roses: A Spectrum of Emotions

Roses, arguably the most famous of all flowers, carry different meanings based on their color. Red roses symbolize love and passion, white roses signify purity and innocence, while yellow roses stand for friendship and joy. A single rose denotes enduring love, making it a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.

Daisies: Innocence & Loyal Love

Daisies, with their cheerful faces, symbolize innocence, loyal love, and purity. Their name comes from the Old English “daes eage,” meaning “day’s eye,” because the flower opens at dawn and closes at dusk. Giving daisies is like giving sunshine to someone’s day.

Sunflowers: Adoration & Longevity

Sunflowers, turning their faces towards the sun, are a symbol of adoration, loyalty, and longevity. They are often associated with warmth, positivity, power, and strength, owing to their resemblance to the sun itself.

Lilies: Purity & Refined Beauty

Lilies, with their elegant, trumpet-shaped blooms, symbolize purity and refined beauty. Different colors carry different meanings - white lilies symbolize modesty and virginity, orange lilies symbolize passion, and yellow lilies symbolize gaiety.

Tulips: Perfect Love

Tulips are often associated with perfect love. Like roses, different colors of tulips also carry their own meanings. Red tulips are most strongly associated with true love, while purple tulips symbolize royalty. The meaning of yellow tulips has evolved somewhat, from once representing hopeless love to now being a common expression for cheerful thoughts and sunshine.

Orchids: Love, Beauty, & Strength

Orchids are delicate and graceful, representing love, beauty, strength, and thoughtfulness. It has a magical quality that has been enchanting people for centuries. In ancient Greece, orchids were associated with virility and fertility, making them a great gift for expecting parents.

Zinnias: Friendship, Endurance, & Affection

Zinnias, a vibrant and enduring flower, can carry a rich symbolism in the language of flowers. These beautiful blooms are often associated with thoughts of absent friends, endurance, and lasting affection. Each color of Zinnia carries a unique meaning, from red symbolizing affection to white representing purity.

The language of flowers is a beautiful way to express feelings that words sometimes fail to convey.

Whether it's love, friendship, respect, or admiration, there's a flower out there that can say it perfectly.

So, the next time you give or receive flowers, take a moment to appreciate not just their beauty, but also the rich meanings and symbolism they carry.

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Rebekkah, owner of Ostara's Grove Vermont Flower Farm and Pumpkin Patch

Rebekkah grew up the middle child of three sisters in California. At 12, she and her sisters were separated, and she went to live with an aunt and uncle in Washington State. It was there that her love of floriculture blossomed. Her high school offered a Horticulture class, where she became the Floral Manager for the small-scale floral business within. That was all it took for Rebekkah to decide she wanted to one day own her own floral shop.


Unbeknownst to her then, this dream would be a journey that would take her across the country. Today, Rebekkah finds herself in a quaint Vermont town, living her dream with her three adorable cats and her supportive fiancé by her side. Her love for floriculture has blossomed into Ostara's Grove.


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