Deborah Chan
Flowers have been used to express emotions and symbolise certain qualities for centuries. Cultures across the world have assigned symbolic meanings to flowers and plants, and in the Victorian era, flowers were used to express affection and communicate secret messages. Today, flowers are often chosen for weddings based on their beauty and personal significance, but also for the meanings attached to them. For example, roses are a traditional choice because they symbolise love, while red roses convey passionate love in particular. Similarly, calla lilies are said to bring wedded bliss and are associated with beauty and fertility. The colour of flowers can also add nuance to their overall meaning. For instance, white carnations symbolise pure love and adoration, while yellow carnations convey disappointment and rejection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flowers | Ranunculus, Roses, Sunflowers, Orchids, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Calla Lilies, Tulips, Carnations, Hydrangeas, Sweet Peas, Peonies, Baby's Breath, Lilacs, Poinsettias, Chrysanthemums, Queen Anne's Lace, Amaryllis, Bougainvillea, Gladioli, Dahlias, Cornflowers, Anthuriums, Heather |
| Meanings | Charm, attractiveness, love, refinement, innocence, protection, strength, happiness, faith, unconditional love, fortune, intelligence, fertility, passion, hospitality, abundance, prosperity, friendship, commitment, endurance, faithfulness, courage, purity, admiration, joy, respect, bravery, good luck, devotion, gratitude, compassion |
| Colours | White, Red, Pink, Purple, Yellow, Green |
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What You'll Learn
- Roses: a traditional bridal choice, symbolising love, passion, beauty, courage, and romance
- Carnations: symbolise commitment, dedication, love, and pride
- Calla lilies: bring wedded bliss, symbolising life, fertility, and beauty
- Sunflowers: symbolise unwavering faith, unconditional love, good fortune, and happiness
- Peonies: symbolise bravery, courage, compassion, and good fortune
Roses: a traditional bridal choice, symbolising love, passion, beauty, courage, and romance
Flowers have long been associated with symbolic meanings, with couples choosing blooms that align with their wedding vision. While some flowers carry negative connotations, such as daffodils representing unrequited love, roses have endured as a traditional bridal choice, symbolising love, passion, beauty, courage, and romance.
The rose's association with love and romance is timeless, transcending time and space. From ancient legends to modern love stories, this flower has captivated hearts and minds, with its enchanting fragrance and exquisite petals making it an ideal choice for expressing deep emotions. In Greek mythology, the rose is linked to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, who mourned the death of her beloved Adonis. As the story goes, roses grew from her tears, making them a symbol of eternal love. This association continued in Roman culture, where roses were tied to Venus, the Roman equivalent of Aphrodite, and used to symbolise love and as decorations during weddings.
The colour of roses adds nuance to their overall meaning. Red roses, for example, symbolise passionate love, while white roses represent pure affection, and pink roses convey admiration. The life stage of the rose also holds significance, with rosebuds signifying a new future and roses in full bloom representing a love already in full swing.
Beyond their beauty and fragrance, roses have inspired countless poets and writers, with their presence in bridal bouquets, centrepieces, and arches adding a touch of elegance and romance to wedding celebrations. The choice of flowers in a bridal bouquet is a meaningful decision, and roses, with their rich symbolism and allure, continue to be a popular selection for brides, allowing them to express their deepest emotions on their special day.
The power of roses to convey a range of emotions, from fiery passion to gentle affection, has solidified their place in the language of love, making them a timeless and meaningful gift that speaks volumes.
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Carnations: symbolise commitment, dedication, love, and pride
Flowers are an integral part of weddings, adding beauty and meaning to the occasion. Carnations, scientifically known as Dianthus caryophyllus, are one of the most popular flowers for weddings due to their rich history, symbolism, and versatility. They symbolise commitment, dedication, love, and pride, making them a meaningful choice for couples.
Carnations have been cultivated for over 2,000 years and are native to the Mediterranean region. The name "carnation" is believed to derive from the words "corona" (crown) or "coronis" (flower garland), reflecting their use in Greek ceremonial crowns. With their frilled petals and vibrant hues, carnations have captivated people's hearts for centuries.
The symbolic meanings of carnations vary depending on their colour and cultural context. Red carnations symbolise love and admiration, making them a popular choice for weddings. White carnations represent purity, new beginnings, and pure love, aligning with the theme of a wedding. Pink carnations are associated with a mother's undying love, stemming from Christian lore. Couples may want to avoid yellow carnations, as they convey disappointment and rejection.
Carnations are also celebrated for their durability, making them a practical choice for weddings. Their long-lasting nature adds a layer of symbolism, representing enduring love that can withstand the test of time. Carnations are often used in wedding bouquets, boutonnieres, and decorative arrangements, either on their own or in combination with other flowers. Their versatility and wide range of colours allow for stunning, personalised floral displays that complement any wedding theme.
In different cultures, carnations hold various meanings. In Korea, they are worn on Parents' Day to symbolise love and respect for parents. In Spain, carnations are used in religious ceremonies, symbolising the passion of Christ. Carnations are also important in social movements, such as International Women's Day, where they represent the fight for women's rights and social justice.
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Calla lilies: bring wedded bliss, symbolising life, fertility, and beauty
Calla lilies are a popular choice for weddings, symbolising life, fertility, and beauty. The ancient Egyptians associated the flower with fertility, and the Romans with sexuality. The flower's unique shape and colour have also led to a variety of symbolic meanings across cultures.
The calla lily's trumpet-like shape is a symbol of feminine modesty, and its elegant form and long stem make it a popular choice for wedding bouquets and floral arrangements. The calla lily's resilience and long-lasting blooms are also practical advantages for weddings, as they maintain their beauty even in challenging conditions.
The colour of the calla lily holds symbolic significance. White calla lilies, the most common variety, represent purity, faithfulness, innocence, and holiness. Purple lilies symbolise charm, royalty, and passion, while yellow lilies signify thankfulness and gratitude. Red lilies portray courage and beauty, and pink lilies express admiration and appreciation. Black lilies are associated with elegance and mystery.
The calla lily is also prominent in religious imagery, often depicted in images of Christ's resurrection and held by the Virgin Mary. This symbolism is why the flower is associated with Easter. The calla lily is also the official flower of the sixth wedding anniversary.
The symbolic meaning of flowers is important in wedding celebrations, with different blooms and colours representing various sentiments and virtues. Calla lilies are a meaningful and beautiful addition to any wedding, bringing wedded bliss and symbolising life, fertility, and beauty.
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Sunflowers: symbolise unwavering faith, unconditional love, good fortune, and happiness
Flowers have long been associated with symbolic meanings. While some of these meanings are universal, others vary across time and culture. For instance, while the Victorians thought of hydrangea blossoms as symbols of disinterest, in Japan, they are associated with gratitude. Similarly, while peonies are beloved wedding flowers today, they were once used to declare anger. However, in Japan, the peony is known for bravery, courage, and good fortune.
Sunflowers, with their golden petals and captivating appearance, have become increasingly popular in wedding ceremonies, adding a touch of rustic charm, joy, and sunshine to the occasion. In China, sunflowers are symbols of good fortune and happiness. In the Victorian era, dwarf sunflowers expressed adoration towards a suitor. Their characteristic of turning towards the sun as it traverses the sky is seen as a metaphor for loyalty and unwavering faith. They are also associated with abundance and fertility, reflecting a bountiful and fruitful life. With their vibrant hues, they stand as a reminder to embrace the sunshine and face challenges with resilience.
Sunflowers are the perfect summer flower, with their bright, bold appearance and contrasting petals and centre. Their size means that they stand out and can become the focal point of any bouquet. Their distinctive golden hue pairs beautifully with a range of colours, including earthy tones, romantic pastels, or a bright and bold palette.
Sunflowers can be used in a variety of ways for weddings, from bridal bouquets to table centrepieces. For a rustic sunflower wedding bouquet, sunflowers can be combined with blue cornflowers, white roses, eucalyptus, and fresh fern for a natural botanical look. For a timeless bridal bouquet, sunflowers can be mixed with peach or pastel roses for a touch of romance and elegance. For a bold statement, sunflowers can be paired with blue delphiniums and coral roses. Sunflowers can also be used as a gift to a loved one to cheer them up.
Ultimately, the choice of flowers for a wedding is a personal one, and as long as a flower holds a special significance and makes the couple happy, that is reason enough to feature it in their wedding.
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Peonies: symbolise bravery, courage, compassion, and good fortune
Peonies are a popular choice for weddings due to their lush, full blooms, vibrant colours, and fragrant scent. They symbolise bravery, courage, and good fortune, making them a fitting emblem for the samurai spirit in Japan. In Chinese culture, peonies are revered for their beauty and elegance, and have long been symbols of honour, wealth, and nobility, and a prosperous marriage.
The meaning of flowers can vary across time and culture. In Europe, peonies were introduced during the medieval period and became a favourite among gardeners and botanists, especially the Victorians, who cherished them for their symbolic meanings of romance and bashfulness. Ancient Greeks associated peonies with Paeon, the physician to the gods in mythology, thus linking the flower to medicinal uses and divine favour.
The various colours of peonies also carry distinct meanings. Blush pink peonies represent gentle romance and tender affection, making them a popular choice for brides aiming to convey a soft and delicate love. White peonies symbolise purity, innocence, and new beginnings, reflecting the unblemished nature of the couple's commitment to each other. Red peonies bring passion and honour to the occasion, while coral peonies evoke happiness and joy.
The arrangement style of peonies in wedding bouquets and decor can also amplify their symbolic meanings. A classic, tightly bound bouquet of peonies creates a sense of unity and wholeness, mirroring the complete and strong bond of the couple. Using a cascading arrangement, where peonies gracefully fall in a waterfall effect, evokes a sense of flow and natural beauty, symbolising the free and effortless love shared by the couple.
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Frequently asked questions
Traditional wedding flowers include roses, orchids, lilacs, calla lilies, tulips, carnations, and peonies. The meaning of flowers varies across time and culture. For example, roses are a traditional choice because they symbolise love, but the colour of a rose can convey different nuances—red roses symbolise passionate love, white roses symbolise purity and innocence, yellow means joy, and pink signifies admiration.
Positive meanings associated with traditional wedding flowers include love, happiness, joy, charm, attractiveness, gratitude, compassion, protection, purity, innocence, and strength.
Flowers with negative meanings that you may want to avoid in your wedding bouquet include petunias, daffodils, and lotus flowers. Petunias and daffodils can represent anger and resentment, while lotus flowers symbolise estranged love.
Yes, some flowers have different meanings across cultures. For example, hydrangeas symbolise gratitude in Japan but were once seen as symbols of disinterest by the Victorians. Similarly, peonies represent bravery and courage in Japan but once declared anger.
Yes, the life stage of the flower can also make a difference. For example, rosebuds can represent a new future, while roses in full bloom can convey a love that is already established and in full swing.
