The Language of Flowers - Flowers and Their Meanings

In the Victorian era, it became popular to send people messages told in the language of flowers. There was a fairly standard list, so if you received a bouquet of lemon blossoms, for example, you'd know that someone was promising you fidelity and faithfulness in their love for you. Many of these centuries-old flower meanings translate well into modern Paganism -- after all, if magic uses symbolism, we can take this language of flowers and incorporate it into our day-to-day magical living.

Partial List of Flowers and Their Meanings

• Acacia: secret love
• Agrimony: gratitude
• Apple blossom: good fortunes
• Arbor vitae: undying friendship
• Bluebell: constancy of the heart, humility
• Buttercup: childhood friendship
• Carnation: pure love, devotion, and dedication
• Chrysanthemum: truth and honesty
• Crocus: be cautious with my heart
• Daisy: innocence, purity
• Dandelion: flirtation
• Forget-me-not: true love
• Forsythia: anticipation
• Gardenia: happiness, joy
• Geranium: I love you over all others
• Honeysuckle: faithfulness and devotion
• Iris: respect, honor
• Ivy: marriage, fidelity
• Lavender: distrust, a fickle heart
• Lemon blossom: fidelity and faithfulness
• Lilac: innocence, pure love
• Lily of the valley: happiness
• Magnolia: perseverance
• Morning glory: flirtation, admiration
• Narcissus: self-absorption
• Orchid: rare and exotic beauty
• Peony: shyness, bashful
• Periwinkle: fond memories of past meetings
• Phlox: a joining of two hearts
• Rose: love (pink for innocent love)
• Rosemary: remember me
• Snapdragon: you presume too much about my feelings
• Sunflower: all is not as it seems
• Sweet William: a gallant and honorable admirer
• Tulip: a declaration of love
• Violet: faithfulness, dedication
• Wisteria: welcoming a new person into your life
• Zinnia: missing absent friends

For more comprehensive information on the language of flowers, and a complete list, Patricia Telesco's book A Victorian Grimoire comes highly recommended.