Franklin Dean
Flowers are an integral part of wedding decor, but they can also play a significant role in storytelling and expressing meaning. The symbolic meanings attached to flowers can vary, with some representing positive emotions such as love, happiness, and gratitude, while others may convey negative sentiments that are less suited to wedding celebrations. Couples can choose flowers for their wedding based on commonly accepted meanings or personal sentimental value. The colour of flowers also influences their symbolism, for example, red roses traditionally signify passionate romance. The cultural context is another important factor, as the same flower can have different meanings in various cultures, such as the sunflower, which symbolises good fortune and happiness in China.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ranunculus or buttercups | Charm, radiance, attraction |
| Roses | Love, passionate romance |
| Red roses | Love |
| Red tulips | Declaration of love |
| Yellow tulips | Sunshine |
| Hydrangeas | Gratitude |
| Sweet pea | Homey |
| Peonies | Happiness, ambition, honour, wealth, fortune, love, affection |
| Heather flowers | Good luck, protection |
| Anthuriums | Hospitality, abundance, happiness |
| Sunflowers | Good fortune, happiness |
| Lilies-of-the-valley | Trustworthiness, purity |
| Sweet William | Gallantry |
| Hyacinth | Loveliness |
| Myrtle | Love in marriage |
| Ivy | Continuity |
| Orchids | Virility |
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What You'll Learn
Flowers can symbolise love, romance and affection
Flowers have long been used to express emotions non-verbally, with certain flowers being ascribed various symbolic meanings. Flowers can symbolise love, romance and affection, making them a perfect addition to a wedding celebration.
Roses, for example, are a traditional wedding flower, often given in a classic red shade to symbolise passionate romance and love. However, roses come in a variety of colours, and their meanings can vary accordingly. In China, sunflowers are a symbol of happiness and good fortune, and their bright, tall blooms can bring a unique touch of sunshine to a wedding.
Peonies, with their soft, romantic appearance, symbolise love and affection, as well as wealth, honour, good fortune, and a happy marriage. In Japan, peonies are also known for bravery and courage. Similarly, the anemone flower symbolises excitement and anticipation, protection, peace and luck.
Ranunculus, or buttercups, are vibrant flowers that thrive in the spring and fall. Their variety of colours makes them a versatile choice, and their symbolism of charm, radiance and attraction make them a popular gift between lovers.
The flower choices for Kate Middleton's bridal bouquet are also worth noting. Her all-white bouquet included lily-of-the-valley, symbolising trustworthiness and purity, sweet William, symbolising gallantry, hyacinth, representing loveliness, myrtle, symbolising love in marriage, and ivy, symbolising continuity. Together, these flowers expressed the hope of a loving, everlasting marriage.
Beyond the commonly accepted meanings, couples should feel free to choose flowers that hold personal sentimental value to them.
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They can also represent good fortune and happiness
Flowers are an integral part of wedding day decor, but they can also play a significant role in storytelling and expressing meaning. Many flowers carry symbolic meanings, some of which date back to the Victorian era or even further back in time, and can be used to convey emotions and sentiments that words cannot always express.
Peonies, for example, are popular wedding flowers that symbolise happiness and ambition. In their most common blushing pink hue, they represent love and affection. Peonies are also associated with wealth, honour, and good fortune, making them an ideal choice for celebrating engagements and weddings. In Japan, the peony is known for bravery, courage, and good fortune, showcasing how cultural contexts can influence flower symbolism.
Another flower that represents good fortune and happiness is the sunflower. In China, sunflowers are considered symbols of good fortune and happiness, making them a unique and cheerful addition to bridal bouquets, especially for summer and fall weddings.
Heather flowers are also symbolic of good luck and protection. Popularised by Queen Victoria, heather is often included in bridal bouquets in England for a touch of good luck.
When selecting flowers for a wedding, couples can consider not only the traditional meanings but also any personal and sentimental associations they have with specific blooms. For instance, Kate Middleton's choice of lily-of-the-valley, sweet William, hyacinth, myrtle, and ivy for her bridal bouquet reflected meanings such as trustworthiness, purity, gallantry, love in marriage, and continuity, respectively, creating a narrative of a hopeful, everlasting marriage.
Flowers like roses, in shades of red, are also a traditional choice to symbolise passionate romance and love. Similarly, red tulips symbolise a declaration of love, while yellow tulips represent sunshine.
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Some flowers are chosen for their personal significance to the couple
Flowers have long been used to convey emotions that are difficult to express in words. The use of flowers to send coded messages can be traced back to the Victorian era, and some flowers were even associated with negative emotions or virtues that did not align with wedding celebrations.
Today, couples are encouraged to choose flowers for their wedding bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces based on their personal sentimental value. For instance, Kate Middleton's bridal bouquet included sweet William, which symbolises gallantry, and myrtle, which symbolises love in marriage. The Duchess of Cambridge's choice of flowers expressed her hope for a loving, everlasting marriage.
Similarly, the Ancient Greeks associated orchids with virility, believing that consuming orchid tubers could determine the sex of an unborn child. As such, orchids are often given to celebrate 14th wedding anniversaries.
In China, sunflowers are symbols of good fortune and happiness, while in Japan, peonies represent bravery, courage, and good fortune. The full springtime blossoms of peonies are said to bring good fortune and a happy marriage, making them a popular choice for couples celebrating their 12th wedding anniversaries.
Ultimately, the choice of flowers at a wedding is a highly personal one, and couples should feel empowered to choose flowers that hold symbolic meaning for them.
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Flowers can be selected based on their colour and season
Flowers have long been associated with symbolic meanings, and their use in weddings is no exception. When selecting flowers for a wedding, it is common to consider not only their aesthetic appeal but also their colour and seasonal availability.
Seasonality plays a crucial role in choosing wedding flowers. For example, springtime nuptials may feature blooms such as tulips, lilacs, and peonies, which are typically in season during this period. Summer weddings could incorporate sunflowers, garden roses, and flowering branches like spirea. Autumn brings a range of colourful options, including dahlias, which symbolise commitment and an ever-lasting bond. In the winter, helleborus, also known for blooming in the snow, can add a unique touch to your bouquet or centrepieces.
The colour of the flowers also carries significance. Red roses, for instance, are a classic choice for weddings, symbolising true love and desire. White roses, on the other hand, represent purity and innocence, while yellow roses signify friendship. Similarly, the meaning of jasmine varies with colour—white jasmine stands for amiability, while yellow jasmine represents modesty, grace, and elegance.
Couples may also choose flowers based on their personal preferences or sentimental value. For instance, a bride might select her favourite flower or a bloom that holds special memories, such as a bouquet of wildflowers picked during a memorable road trip with their partner.
Ultimately, the choice of flowers for a wedding can be a thoughtful blend of aesthetics and symbolism, reflecting the couple's personalities, values, and the season in which they exchange their vows.
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Flowers have different meanings in different cultures
Flowers have long been used to express emotions and convey messages that are difficult to articulate. The symbolic meaning of flowers varies across cultures and communities. For instance, the Ancient Greeks associated orchids with virility, believing that if fathers of unborn children ate large orchid tubers, they would have a boy, and if the mother ate small orchid tubers, she would give birth to a girl. In China, sunflowers are considered symbols of good fortune and happiness, whereas in Japan, peonies represent bravery, courage, and good fortune. In England, Queen Victoria popularised the idea of heather symbolising good luck, and it is now common to include a sprig of white heather in a bride's bouquet.
The colour of flowers also influences their symbolism. For example, red roses traditionally symbolise passionate romance, whereas yellow tulips convey sunshine. Similarly, the blushing pink hue of peonies, a popular spring wedding flower, symbolises love and affection, while the purple palette of certain flowers conveys regal elegance.
The shape of flowers also carries symbolic meaning. The unique shape of amaranth flowers symbolises eternity, immortality, and everlasting love. Similarly, the shape of lily-of-the-valley flowers in Kate Middleton's bridal bouquet represented trustworthiness and holiness, while the trailing style of the bouquet was ideal for a shower bouquet.
Flowers can also symbolise opposing emotions. For example, while peonies are beloved wedding flowers today, they were once used to express anger. Similarly, while roses are popular symbols of love, they can also convey negative emotions depending on the context and how they are presented.
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Frequently asked questions
Roses, especially red ones, symbolise passionate romance and love.
Peonies symbolise love, honour, wealth, good fortune, ambition, and a happy marriage. In Japan, they are also known for bravery and courage.
Anthuriums symbolise hospitality, abundance, and happiness.
Lilies symbolise trustworthiness, holiness, purity, and continuity.
Sunflowers symbolise good fortune and happiness.
