Flowers have carried hidden messages for centuries. In the Victorian era, an entire “language of flowers,” or floriography, allowed people to send coded sentiments that couldn’t be spoken aloud: a red rose for love, a yellow one for friendship or jealousy, a white lily for purity. Many of those meanings survive today and still shape the flowers we choose for weddings, funerals, apologies, and celebrations.

Color matters as much as the flower itself. The same bloom can mean very different things depending on its shade — a deep red carnation signals admiration, while a striped one once meant refusal. Understanding both the flower and its color helps you give arrangements that say exactly what you intend.

This section is a working dictionary of flower meanings. Browse by flower to learn its symbolism, history, and the messages attached to each of its colors.

Flower meanings by flower

What you’ll find here

• Symbolism and history of popular flowers
• What each flower color means
• Flowers for love, sympathy, and celebration
• The Victorian language of flowers