The tradition of giving each other flowers accompanies humanity throughout history. In the modern sense, such a gift always has a good subtext – a bouquet is perceived as a sign of attention, respect, admiration or love. But a flower can say more about the giver’s feelings than simple words. The origin of the language of flowers began in the East: before the wedding, a man could not speak to a girl. He could tell about his feelings with the help of flowers. In the donated compositions, the colors of the buds, and their number, and what exactly they made up the bunch were important.
Floral symbolism became widespread in the era of romanticism: the late 18th – early 19th century was the time when every girl in Europe had a floral dictionary. The dictionaries helped the ladies decipher the messages of the gentlemen and select the necessary plants in response. A bouquet at that time could be a sign of consent to a meeting or a symbol of the final break of a romantic relationship.
In modern floristry, mono bouquets have less symbolism: they are compiled taking into account the characteristics of the character, age and preferences of the recipient. However, if the person you want to give a gift to appreciates symbolism or is familiar with the language of flowers, a bouquet can express your feelings and intentions without words.
Color values
The color of the buds in a gift can symbolize feelings, intentions, and the status of the donor in relation to the recipient. Shades of buds can be considered separately from their variety, but some plants of the same species, depending on their color, can have a different (sometimes opposite) meaning.
White buds. In European culture and Slavic beliefs, white and all its shades are considered a symbol of purity, assurances of sincerity, a sign of innocence. Therefore, armfuls and twigs of a white shade are presented to young girls, and the younger the girl, the whiter the composition should be.
Black buds and all dark-colored plants symbolize mourning. Black austere composition is appropriate as a sign of sadness.
Burgundy buds – an expression of admiration for the nobility of the recipient, gratitude for an act or time spent together. Burgundy (and any other deep shades in compositions) are intended for people in adulthood.
Plants with red buds or inflorescences of all shades of red reflect the donor’s love and passion for the recipient. A traditional gift for a loved one is red roses. In floristry it is not customary to present them to people with whom you do not have a personal relationship. Red roses are also not good for a first date.
Yellow is a popular symbol of separation, betrayal, betrayal and mistrust. In another interpretation, yellow blossoms can mean friendship, respect and happiness. Superstitious people should not cook bright sunny buds: they can take the meaning of yellow flowers too literally, even if the plants are a symbol of the holiday (mimosa and March 8).
Pink is considered to be a tone of incipient sympathy, tenderness and politeness. Pink plants are suitable for young women and young girls. A bouquet of light pink buds as a sign of a warm relationship can be bought for a sister or girlfriend, and compositions in dark pink shades are suitable for a mother.
Blue inflorescences can symbolize both mystery and mystery, and a wish for success. Arrangements of dark blue flowers are suitable for mature men and aspiring women.
The blue bouquet is a sign of loyalty and harmony. For unfamiliar people, blue buds can be chosen as a wish for joy or a symbol of the pleasure of meeting.
Green blossoms symbolize hope and freshness of feelings. Usually they are combined with plants of other colors.
Flower symbols can vary greatly from country to country. So, in Japan and China, white is a sign of mourning, the color of death. Black, on the other hand, is considered a symbol of purity. Before choosing a bouquet for a representative of another culture, at least superficially study the national traditions of the country in which the person grew up.
The meaning of flowers in psychology has something in common with the floristic language, but does not completely coincide. A composition made up of blue buds, from the point of view of psychology, can mean alienation or coldness of the donor in relation to the recipient of the bouquet. At the same time, both psychology and floristry can interpret bouquets of blue buds as a sign of dignity, reliability and maturity.
Meaning of flowers in a bouquet
Considering a bouquet as a composite composition, it is incorrect to speak about the meaning of individual flowers in it. The language of flowers implies the donation of a mono-bouquet or a single plant.
Amaryllis is associated with pride and inaccessibility. An armful of amaryllis can be gifted to someone whose splendor you admire.
Azalea is considered a sign of devotion and restraint. Azalea mono bouquets are presented before a long unwanted separation.
Anthurium can be bought for newlyweds as a symbol of love and prosperity in the house, but it is not recommended to include it in wedding bouquets. Compositions with anthurium are suitable for ambitious individuals as a wish for success.
Dahlias are synonymous with grace and love. They can be presented to close relatives.
Cornflowers can be chosen for unfamiliar girls as a sign of sympathy. A modest bunch of cornflowers is fine for a first date.
Armfuls of carnations can express different feelings depending on the shade: with white they wish you success, with red ones congratulate you on victory, and pink ones symbolize maternal love.
Gerberas are seen as flirting or simple optimism. It is appropriate to give them to colleagues and friends.
Armfuls of hyacinths obey the rules of color symbolism: white plants are a symbol of purity, yellow plants are a sign of jealousy or distrust, blue and blue are a sign of calmness and dignity, and red plants are a symbol of passion.
Hydrangea means sophistication, good nature and warmth. Eastern beliefs attribute her frivolity, considering hydrangea a symbol of impermanence.
Iris is associated with trust, hope, recognition. Irises are suitable as a gift to friends as a token of gratitude for a warm relationship.
Callas are considered a symbol of admiration and respect. Men give callas to women as a sign of admiration for the beauty of a lady. The same symbolism is attributed to lilies.
The lotus is chosen as a gift to well-known people. This flower means recognition of the recipient’s wisdom, wish of happiness, health and long life.
Magnolia blooms emphasize nobility and perseverance.
Daisies symbolize innocence and purity. Daisy bouquets can be chosen for little girls.
Orchid is usually presented only to familiar people. It means beauty, sophistication and tenderness.
“Peony compositions express wishes for prosperity, well-being and recognition.”
According to one version, sunflowers mean pride and arrogance. The second version of the interpretation ascribes more benevolent meanings to sunflowers: positive, optimism and prosperity.
Gentle ranunculus (buttercup) means power, authority and belligerence. In gifts for loved ones, he can express power over the heart of the donor.
Roses traditionally symbolize love in all its forms: red and purple shades mean passion, white – platonic or kindred love, pink – romantic love.
The designation of chamomile flowers in floristry is youth, modesty, innocence and romance.
Fragrant lilac reflects the excitement of first love. It is chosen to highlight the youth and freshness of the recipient.
Tulips mean pure love, happiness, harmony, trepidation and admiration.
Violets are considered a sign of caution and modesty in floristry.
Freesia is associated with aristocratic dignity, tenderness and determination.
Chrysanthemum is considered a flower of truth, symbolizing the sincerity of the giver’s intentions. Chrysanthemum compositions can be donated to relatives.
Eustoma expresses devotion, warm feelings, admiration and respect for the recipient. The plant is suitable for both a colleague and a loved one.
Floristics does not recommend taking the meaning of flowers literally: many interpretations that have survived to this day are distorted, and in the cultures of different countries the same flower can have the opposite meaning. If you are not sure that the recipient will correctly understand the message that the monobouquet sends, it is better to prepare an armful of several species at once.
