The Big List

This is by no means comprehensive, but here are some of the more common flowers’ meanings.

Flowers for a Love or Romance

Amaryllis – Pride, pastoral poetry
Azalea – Fragile passion
Baby’s breath – Happiness
Red chrysanthemum – Love
White chrysanthemum – Truth
Clover – Fertility, domestic virtue
Daffodil – Unrequited love, respect, regard
Daisy – Innocence, loyalty, purity
Fern – Fascination, magic, shelter, confidence
Forget-me-not – Memories, love
Forsythia – Anticipation
Gardenia – Secret love
Gloxinia – Love at first sight
Purple hyacinth – Please forgive, sorry, sorrow
Ivy – Fidelity, wedded love, friendship
Lotus – Mystery
Magnolia – Nobility, dignity, beauty
Mistletoe – Affection
Orange flower – Chastity, Eternal love
Orchid – Love, beauty, refinement
Pansy – Thought, reflection, memories
Sunflower – Devotion, pride
Tulip – Perfect lover
Red tulip – Believe the sender, declaration of love
Variegated tulip – Beautiful eyes
Yellow tulip – Hopelessly in love
Violet – Modesty

Flowers for Friendship

Bittersweet – Truth
Chrysanthemum – Friendship
White hyacinth – Protection, prayer for receiver
Hydrangea – Frigidity, thanks for understanding
Iris – Friendship, faith, wisdom, valor
Sweet pea – Departure, tenderness, goodbye, thanks for a lovely time
Wisteria – Welcome

Flowers with Contextual or Negative Connotations

Begonia – Beware, beware of amorous intent
Yellow chrysanthemum – Slighted love
Columbine – Cuckoldry, love abandoned
Hyacinth – Games
Yellow hyacinth – Jealousy
Marigold – Jealousy, cruelty, grief
Narcissus – Egotism
Nightshade – Falsehood
Oleander – Caution
Poppy – Forgetfulness, consolation, oblivion
Snapdragon – Deceit, graciousness

On Carnations

Another one of those flowers where the color really is important to note.

Red: Heartache for the recipient, admiration

White: Pure love, sweet love, innocence

Pink: Sender will never forget receiver

Purple: Capriciousness, whimsy

Yellow: Disdain, rejection

Striped: Rejection of an offer with apologies

On Lilies

Again, caution is needed. Lilies can imply everything from purity to hatred.

White: Virginity, purity, majesty

Day lily: Coquetry

Calla lily: Beauty

Eucharis lily: Maiden charms

Yellow: Sender is walking on air, false, gay

Tiger lily: Pride, wealth

Orange: Dislike, hatred, disdain

On Roses

Now you’re going to wish for the day that a red rose was all you needed.

Red: Traditional symbol of eternal love, the red rose has become more or less a symbol of adoration or congratulation.
    Single red rose: Continuing love, great for long-term relationships

Black: Death

Pink: Appreciation, Admiration with a complement on refinment
    Light pink: Admiration
    Dark pink: Deep thanks

White: Love, innocence, purity

Orange: Desire, Enthusiasm

Coral: Desire

Peach: Let’s close the deal

Yellow: Friendship, jealousy, infidelity
    Red-tipped yellow: Tentative deepening of feelings towards love

Red and White: Love, desire for togetherness

Decoding Flower Bouquets

Interesting how even major flower companies have forsaken meaning for color attractiveness.

"Sweet Sentiments" from iflorist.com

White lily: Majesty, virginity, purity
Iris: Faith, importance of the friendship, valor
Pink rose: Appreciation, admiration
Yellow carnation: Disdain, rejection, disappointment

"Many Thanks" from FTD

Pink rose: Admiration
Ranunculus: Attraction, dazzlement
Gerbera dais: Cheerfulness
Pink lily: Virtue
White snapdragon: Deception, graciousness

Fail Flower

For Brian .
This is as close as I could find to a flower equivalent of the failboat.

Geranium: Stupidity, folly
Bee orchis: Error

For More Information...

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