Flowers in general can express our thoughts, feelings and love for others. Here we look at specific meanings and sentiments conveyed by specific flowers :

The meanings of roses

 The name " rose" comes from the Latin word rosa, which means " red ", but roses come in many different colours each with its own meaning as described below:

• red roses -these signify romantic love.  Other meanings: congratulations, job well done.  In China, red denoted energy and life.  The red rose is also the flower associated with Eros and Cupid

• white roses - these signify innocence and secrecy.  Other meanings: I am worthy of you, purity, youthfulness

• yellow roses - these signify friendship and joy.  Other meanings: I care, welcome back, remember me

• pink roses - these signify elegance and gentleness.  Other meanings: perfect happiness, please believe me.  Pink has long been associated with partnership and marriage.  Generally speaking, and pale coloured roses are use to show friendship.

• peach roses - these signify desire and excitement.  Love is anxiously building up but you must hurry to catch the romance.

• White and red mixed roses - these denoted unity and other flower emblem of England

Exquisite and radiant, the rose is the principal messenger of love. A single rose denotes perpetual love; two roses of any color taped or wired together signify a commitment or forthcoming marriage.

Combined Color Meanings:

• Red and yellow roses mixed together say "Congratulations!"

• Yellow and orange roses together imply passionate thoughts.

• Red and white roses signify unity.

 

 According to Roman legend, a number of suitors were keen on marrying a beautiful woman named Rodanthe, but she did not care for any of them. Despite her ambivalence, the suitors continued to woo Rodanthe so zealously that they broke through the doors of her home. Angered by their actions and wanting to teach the suitors a lesson, the goddess Diana turned Rodanthe into a rose, and her suitors into thorns.

The rose is the flower emblem of England. According to English superstition, if the petals fall from a fresh-cut red rose, bad luck will soon follow. The red rose is the badge of the House of Lancaster and the flower of Eros and Cupid. In Wales, the white rose represents innocence and silence, and is thus placed on the grave of a young child. To Native Americans, the white rose symbolizes security and happiness, and is often worn during wedding ceremonies. The white rose is the badge of the House of York and the flower of the Virgin Mary.

Carnations

These signify fascination and love for a woman.  In particular, pink carnations are used for saying " I will never forget you " while red carnations express admiration and love.  White carnations are ideal for wishing good luck. Pink carnations have the most symbolic and historical significance. According to Christian legend, carnations first appeared on Earth as Jesus carried the Cross. The Virgin Mary cried at Jesus’ suffering, and carnations sprang up from where her tears fell. Thus he pink carnation became the symbol of a mother's undying love and is now the emblem of Mother’s Day.

Chrysanthemum

Generally speaking, chrysanthemum is used to express friendship and joy . Yellow chrysanthemum leans more towards love and white chrysanthemum is used to denote truth. Red is also used to express love, good luck and best wishes.

Daffodil

The daffodil is a flower which comes in Spring . As this is the month in which the sun begins to shine, it expresses the joy one has when in the presence of one’s partner as if to say “the sun is always shinning when I’m with you”.

Gladiolus

These denote sincerity. Derived from the Latin word meaning “sword”, it expresses infatuation, telling the receiver that he or she "pierces the heart."

Iris

These denote the importance of friendship, help and faith

Lily

These denote the joy of one's presence as well as beauty and purity of the heart. While lilies come in a variety of colors, most people readily associate lilies with white, meaning innocence and sweetness. Yellow lilies express gratitude and happiness.

Tulip

These are the flower emblem of Holland and are used as a declaration of love; a gift from a "perfect lover." Red tulips indicate an irresistible love, while yellow tulips denote a hopeless love with no chance of reconciliation.

Sunflower

The sunflower promises power, warmth, and nourishment — all the attributes of the sun itself. Legend tells that the Greek sun-god Helios was drowned by his uncles, the Titans, and then raised to the sky, where he became the sun. He was loved by a mortal woman named Clytie, who died of her love for him. When she died she became a flower and followed Helios' daily journey through the sky. The sunflower's turning as it follows the sun symbolizes deep loyalty and constancy. It is said that if a girl puts three sunflower seeds down her back, she will marry the first boy she meets.