Giving Flowers As a Gift? Check Out Their Meaning First

This is a collaborative post.

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When we talk about the importance of gifts, one thing that is often remarked upon is the meaning of a particular choice. It may be something as simple as choosing a gift we know the recipient will like because it fits into their interests, like gig tickets for a music fan. It might be something that evokes memories of a specific day or event, such as a bottle of a specific wine that you know they enjoyed on a particular special occasion.

Of course, “meaning” can have a more straightforward sense when it comes to a gift. One particular type of gift that can be seen in this regard is when you give someone flowers. Often, flowers are chosen simply because they look beautiful or their colours are pretty. However, flowers have a more specific meaning and significance too, and when you are choosing a gift for a special reason it is worth knowing something about their symbolic importance.

Valentine’s Day Wishes – Roses, but choose the right kind

The traditional flower to symbolise romantic love is, as many will already know, the red rose. These are the flowers most commonly bought on Valentine’s Day, although some people will choose to either mix them with another type of flower or colour of rose. It’s important to know what kind of message you may be putting across, though. White roses can symbolise innocence and trust, though they can also be taken to symbolise chastity. Pink roses, especially if a brighter pink in colour, are more symbolic of gratitude. Yellow, meanwhile, is a risky choice; in some cultures including Russian, yellow roses mean  “it’s over, goodbye”.

Mother’s Day – Carnations

Let’s first make it clear that on Mother’s Day, a mum deserves to be greeted with a bunch of whatever flowers she herself prefers – but not everyone has a preferred type of flower. If you want to give a gift that has genuine significance, then the perfect choice of Mother’s Day flowers is a bouquet of carnations. Preferably pink carnations, as they have been the symbol of a mother’s love for centuries. A fact worth knowing is that this comes from the legend that they first sprouted from the tears Mary shed when she heard of Jesus’ death.

Get Well Soon – Daisies

When someone is laid up for a while with illness or injury, it is a good idea to bring a little brightness to their situation and the best flower for the job is, frankly, any kind of daisy. Even when out of the ground, daisies survive well, and their continued brightness will be a comfort to a friend who is ill. Pink gerbera daisies are considered by many to be the perfect get-well bouquet, thanks to the bright colours and vibrant shape of the flower.

Of course, a choice of flowers can have its own meaning, depending on what the giver and recipient assign to it. The above are the classically-accepted meanings and, if a recipient does a little reading after receiving the gift, can make themselves known to the reader. There is no right or wrong choice but, if you haven’t assigned the flowers a meaning yourself, beware of what philosophers have already applied to them.