The Language of Flowers And The Message They Send

I recently finished a novel, The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh and besides being a great read, I came away with a much different perspective on flowers and what they symbolize. Back in Victorian times, each flower had a specific word or phrase attached to it that described the message that each flower was to convey.  In the back of the book, there was a dictionary describing the different varieties of flowers and their symbolic meaning.  I thought it would be fun to share with you a bit of what some of these flowers mean.

Hydrangeas ~Dispassion
Image via Pinterest ~  Originally pinned by Theresa Bueno

Lily of the Valley ~ Return of Happiness
Image via  Pinterest ~ Originally Pinned by Sofia S.

Iris ~ Message
Image via Pinterest ~ Originally pinned by Laura Todd

Sweet Pea ~ Delicate Pleasures
Image via Pinterest ~ Originally Pinned by Cindy Burton

Gardenia ~ Refinement
Image via Pinterest ~ Originally Pinned by Alana Foa'i-Auimat

Honeysuckle ~ Devotion
Image via Pinterest ~ Originally Pinned by Carla Griffin

Baby Breath ~ Everlasting love
Image via Pinterest ~ Originally pinned by Lynn Hsieh

Marigold ~ Grief
Image via Pinterest ~  Originally pinned by Anna Rapson

Pink Roses ~ Grace
Image via Pinterest ~ Originally Pinned by Jeanie Gaudioso

Bougainvillea ~ Passion
Image via Pinterest ~ Originally Pinned by Joane Luesse

Basil ~ Hate
Images via Pinterest ~ Originally Pinned by Sharon Dodd

Star Of Bethlehem ~ Purity
Images via Pinterest ~ Originally Pinned by Charissa Belle

Rosemary ~ Remembrance
Image via Pinterest ~ Originally Pinned by Brianne Probasco

Sunflower ~ False Riches
Image via Pinterest ~ Originally pinned by Laura Bailey

Whatever message you are trying to convey be it an expression of love, grief, sadness, or happiness it can be sent by the type of flowers you choose. It has given me a whole new perspective on how I look at flowers and the message I want to send.  So, be it a bouquet of a variety or a single stemmed flower, you can be sending the wrong message based on what flowers you send.  Gee, I wonder how many mixed messages I have sent over the years!  HA