A most hearty welcome to the blog by GoodChoiceFlowers.com, an international flower delivery service! In our pilot blog entry, we thought it seemed appropriate to talk about the general role that flowers play in our lives and discuss the concept of a language of flowers, which, obviously, is a topic worthy of an entire series of articles. Specifically, did you know that even the number of flowers in a bouquet can convey symbolic meaning, so you can send a message to somebody just with how many flowers you choose for a floral arrangement? Let’s dig in!
Flowers are eternal
To live, you need the sun, freedom, and a small flower.
Hans Christian Andersen
Throughout its entire history, humankind has lived alongside plants, and there is nothing more precious on the planet Earth than a flower — this fragile gift of nature. A flower is also poetic, with delicate music in its harmony of forms, and picturesque in its lines of beauty; no wonder we have been using them to decorate our homes and backyards since the beginning of time. Legends and fairy tales about flowers have inspired a multitude of poets and composers, and works of art created around them sound like an anthem to nature, tenderness, and love.
As far back as 3000 BC, gardeners of the East cultivated roses, poppies, and lilies of the valley, and seeds and leaves of jasmine have been found in the pyramids of Egypt. Tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and violets were also grown in those times, along with ornamental and fruit trees — but the rose was the favorite flower.
In Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, we read about the gardens of Ancient Greece. Greek philosophers believed that growing flowers was the secret to happiness. To that, we can add: if you want your loved ones’ lives to be happy, give them flowers more often!
Flowers are stories
Every ethnicity in the world has come up with beautiful stories to associate with particular flowers: each kind of flower has its story, and the oldest stories have become legends that may influence the way we see flowers even today.
For example, in China and Japan, there is a concept of the Four Noble Gentlemen: bamboo, the plum tree, the orchid, and the chrysanthemum. They are especially revered, glorified in myths, and celebrated in poetry. Each of them symbolizes beautiful human qualities. Chrysanthemum stands for courage, plum for hope, orchid for youth, and bamboo for honesty and gentle strength.
Indeed, flowers accompany us all our lives. People give mothers flowers when they give birth. Bouquets make us happy on our birthdays and at parties. They even make special dates, such as our wedding day, even more memorable, and they comfort us in old age. Both at home and at work, in the hot summer and in the bitter cold, we need flowers because, without their beauty, life is rendered poor.
The number of flowers carries a message
Giving flowers is an ancient tradition, and in many cultures, the language of flowers plays an important role. Besides the types of flowers and their colors, which convey a special meaning, even the number of flowers in a bouquet can be significant!
1 flower: A single flower can symbolize unity, the concept of “one heart.”
3 flowers: “I love you.”
4 flowers: Not a good number for a bouquet in many cultures. In some cultures, the number 7 is also avoided.
5 flowers: Happiness, goodness, and luck. There is even a saying, “Five blessings on your doorstep!” in some cultures that accompanies giving a five-flower bouquet.
10 flowers: Admiration; this number of flowers says, “You are ten times golden and ten times beautiful.”
11 flowers: “One heart,” “One meaning for two.” Very often presented to a spouse.
12 flowers: Symbolizes a whole year, so it can mean “loving you every month.” Such bouquets are appropriate for the anniversary of your first meeting, your wedding or first date.
16 flowers: “I wish you happiness.” Usually given to a friend or relative.
19 flowers: “Be together all your life,” customary for a wedding.
21 flowers: “The most beloved,” “Love to the point of self-abandonment.”
25 flowers: “A declaration of love.”
27 flowers: “I love my wife.”
29 flowers: “Forever loved.”
36 flowers: “Let every day be joyful.”
101 flowers: “You are the one!”
But no matter how many are in a bouquet, fresh flowers carry a special positive energy. If you want to share that energy with your loved ones across the world, we are always ready to help!
- Check out our bouquets and gifts for friends!
- Our gift catalogs can also give you a hint at what flowers are the best way to say thank you and congratulations.
- Follow us on Facebook — we will keep you updated and share discount codes!
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.