Understanding the language of flowers

For centuries, flowers have often been used to convey messages from a sender to a recipient. The Ottoman-era first saw flowers used as a form of language, but in Victorian England, this older tradition underwent a strong revival. There are some vestiges of this tradition, such as sending roses to the one you love on Valentine's Day. However, what do other flowers symbolise and represent? How can you ensure that your flowers convey a profound meaning when you send them?

Language of love

Although roses are the quintessential floral symbol of love, they are not the only flower to represent this emotion. In fact, love is one of the most represented emotions within the language of flowers.

If you want to tell someone you love them, try the summer flower, aster. White carnations are ideal for representing pure and true love and have an underlying meaning of innocence. Daisies symbolise loyalty in love, while gardenias can be sent to the object of your affection to tell them you harbour a secret love for them. The purple hyacinth can also be sent to apologise to someone you love when you have done wrong. The next time you want to tell your love how much they mean to you, remember to include a cryptic flower that will convey your deepest affections.

Forever friends

Chrysanthemums, irises and ivy represent true and unbreakable friendship. Yellow and pink roses can also be used as a gift for a friend to really show them how much they mean to you and how much you appreciate them.

Incorporating dark pink roses in a bouquet can demonstrate that you are thankful for the friendship between you and that you appreciate them, their help and all the support they have given to you during the course of your friendship. Sending same-day flowers to a friend will make them feel loved, appreciated and uniquely special.

Good luck wishes

If a friend or family member is about to embark on a new career, has a job interview, is heading off to university or is starting their exams, a floral gift to wish them luck can be the perfect treat. White carnations, camellias, and bells of Ireland all symbolise good luck and wishes of prosperity.

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