The meaning behind red roses vs. yellow roses
Lilac - sadness of love, farewell
According to folklore, the purple lilac was turned white when one was left atop the grave of a young woman who committed suicide because she mistakenly believed she'd been abandoned by her lover.
Lily - innocence
Often associated with female deities like the Virgin Mary and Juno, the goddess of nature, the lily signifies innocence and majesty.
Pansy - secret thoughts of lovers
Named for the French word "pensée," meaning "thought," the pansy was once believed to hold telepathic properties, allowing an individual to hear the thoughts of a lover by listening to a cut blossom.
According to folklore, the purple lilac was turned white when one was left atop the grave of a young woman who committed suicide because she mistakenly believed she'd been abandoned by her lover.
Lily - innocence
Often associated with female deities like the Virgin Mary and Juno, the goddess of nature, the lily signifies innocence and majesty.
Pansy - secret thoughts of lovers
Named for the French word "pensée," meaning "thought," the pansy was once believed to hold telepathic properties, allowing an individual to hear the thoughts of a lover by listening to a cut blossom.
Peony - keeping a secret
The peony's tightly held petals and deep roots make it a clever symbol for the power of a promise.
Poppy - dreams
In Greek mythology, Morpheus -- the god of dreams -- is said to have laid garlands of poppies on the heads of sleeping mortals. Red poppies would bring dreams of passion, while white poppies meant dreams of a deeper nature.
Rose (red) - love
The significance of red roses and love dates back to Greek mythology, when the goddess Aphrodite pricked herself on the thorns of a rose en route to her lover, Adonis, and bled upon the petals... forever turning them red.
Rose (yellow) - jealousy, or familiar love
In Victorian times, yellow roses held a more negative meaning, but its modern interpretation is that of a simpler love.
Sunflower - power, warmth, nourishment
The tall and strong sunflower signifies the same things as the celestial body for which it's named.
Tulip - declaration of love
Native to Persia despite being associated with Holland, the tulip means love, but the colour determines the nature of that love. Red declares love, but yellow represents hopeless adoration.
Whichever flower you choose to give, knowing the legend and lore behind it can be a fun way to add a little something extra to your gesture... so pick wisely!
To read more about flower meanings and myths, pick up the following books:
- The Meaning of Flowers: Myth, Language & Lore
(Chronicle, 1998) by Gretchen Scoble and Ann Field
- The Meaning of Flowers (Shambhala, 1979) by Claire Powell
Think you know your pansies from your peonies? Put your green thumb to the test with a fun floral facts quiz.
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The peony's tightly held petals and deep roots make it a clever symbol for the power of a promise.
Poppy - dreams
In Greek mythology, Morpheus -- the god of dreams -- is said to have laid garlands of poppies on the heads of sleeping mortals. Red poppies would bring dreams of passion, while white poppies meant dreams of a deeper nature.
Rose (red) - love
The significance of red roses and love dates back to Greek mythology, when the goddess Aphrodite pricked herself on the thorns of a rose en route to her lover, Adonis, and bled upon the petals... forever turning them red.
Rose (yellow) - jealousy, or familiar love
In Victorian times, yellow roses held a more negative meaning, but its modern interpretation is that of a simpler love.
Sunflower - power, warmth, nourishment
The tall and strong sunflower signifies the same things as the celestial body for which it's named.
Tulip - declaration of love
Native to Persia despite being associated with Holland, the tulip means love, but the colour determines the nature of that love. Red declares love, but yellow represents hopeless adoration.
Whichever flower you choose to give, knowing the legend and lore behind it can be a fun way to add a little something extra to your gesture... so pick wisely!
To read more about flower meanings and myths, pick up the following books:
- The Meaning of Flowers: Myth, Language & Lore
- The Meaning of Flowers (Shambhala, 1979) by Claire Powell
Think you know your pansies from your peonies? Put your green thumb to the test with a fun floral facts quiz.
Page 2 of 2
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