When it comes to gifts, flowers can be the best way to express a range of emotions: from gentle affection to ardent love! It is no secret that they are able to speak a special language, and symbolize certain kinds of a relationship. The rules of this language of flowers are important to follow when choosing a floral arrangement: one misstep can ruin the moment completely, which we covered in our last article about unwelcome guests in a bouquet. Today, let us talk about some very welcome ones!
Between the ordinary and the extraordinary: a guide to floral language
Minds are like flowers; they open only when the time is right.
Stephen Richards
Within the right context, bouquets seem to work well as a gift for people of any age, and almost any personality type. The most important thing, though, is not being predictable: if you show a little imagination and employ the right psychology, you can use flowers, either exotic or perfectly ordinary, as a tool to convey an entire palette of feelings.
So let’s look at some of these tools up close!
The tulip
No longer a sign of court luxury and admired in many countries, tulips, like many other flowers, can speak of love that is romantic and flawless — but that is not all; on a deeper level, the tulip may signify awakening feelings, a mental revelation, or purity of thought. As children of spring, they are a symbol of natural renewal and the creation in a broader sense. All of this makes tulips a great gift at the initial stage your relationship.
The color can bear significance here: a bouquet of white tulips conveys tenderness, while red would emphasize the courage in what you feel and intend. Pink, lilac, orange, and even black tulips, though not found in nature, can make a bouquet that is truly unique and fitting for any age.
An important thing to remember, though: tulips only look beautiful in, or as part of, a large bouquet, and should not be presented as single flowers, or even in threes, as those would probably be construed as a sign of stinginess.
The ranunculus
This peculiar flower hails from Asia and has conquered the hearts of florists all over the world very quickly. On the outside, it resembles a rose or a peony, but its structure is gentler, and it has no thorns. Historically, it was a symbol of the slavic pagan god Perun (a god of thunder and lightning, no less!), and also of the Ottoman Empire, so it may hold special significance for people living in Turkey.
Psychologists agree that a bouquet made of ranunculi indicates an intense feeling; it can do an excellent job to convey the depth of your affection. At the same time, the ranunculus is also called a flower of the wise, but whether it is supposed to signify the wisdom of the recipient or your own, is up for debate.
The lily
Lilies are tricky; before, we even put them in the category of unwelcome guests for a Valentine’s bouquet, mainly because their message can be very ambiguous and differing between cultures. Red lilies, for instance, represent pride and even contempt in some countries, so you should definitely stay away from those; but also, no matter the color, lilies in general tend to emit an aroma that is very strong and specific, and definitely not to everyone’s liking.
However, if you take all those factors into account and employ the language of flowers carefully, you can harness the fragrant melody of a lily to convey your feelings with style and utmost originality. Yellow lilies, for instance, tend to be appreciated by extraodinary personalities; besides, when put in a vase, lilies pack a lot of longevity, which is a plus if you want your lover to be reminded of a pleasant moment for days and weeks.
The orchid
Orchids are among the most delicate, sophisticated, and romantic flowers around — a veritable embodiment of the art of seduction with an exquisite, one-of-a-kind appeal. Orchids can signify that the recipient is so charming it is almost magical, and that the feeling shared is akin to being madly in love.
The lily of the valley
According to a Christian legend, lilies of the valley originated from tears that were shed on the holy cross by Virgin Mary, and the poets claim that, no matter how many flowers of any kind are given to a girl, she would keep the memory of her first bouquet of lilies of the valley for life.
You don’t need to be an expert to see that this flower is, first of all, a symbol of purity, and presenting a bouquet made of lilies of the valley paints the picture of a sincere, loving romantic with an open soul.
In different cultures, the language of flowers can be intepreted differently, as if its words are translated into the local dialect every time, making their meaning, at times, as obscure as hieroglyphics. But what has stayed unequivocal for us upon finishing our floristic research, is that absolutely any flower can be used to convey a feeling that is somehow related to love, be it tender affection, hot passion, undivided attention, sadness of yearning, friendly laughter, or even anger — so uniform, and yet so different. Rather than relying on your rationality or consulting a dictionary, listening with your heart gives you the best chance to interpret it right.
Our international catalogs with hundreds of flower arrangements can help you create a bouquet to convey feelings that are precisely yours, and deliver it hassle-free if your loved ones are overseas:
- Here’s a collection of gorgeous bouquets for any occasion.
- For a message that is truly unique, build a custom bouquet — our experts are always ready to consult you on the language of flowers!
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Born in Nalchik in 1966, graduated with a major in English Lit, and working as a school teacher since 1990. My interests are diverse: music, good literature, and computer technology at the user level. I like to try new things, and I bring what I started to its logical conclusion. Oh! And I do love my pets! I’m already 54 and I still believe in miracles and hobbits with elves and Gandalf. I myself am a bit of an adventuress like a hobbit, and I love mushrooms, too, like they do.