In the early 18th century the Turkish "Secret Language of Flowers" was introduced to Europe by Lady Mary Wortley Montague, wife of the British ambassador to Constantinople. Flowers had long been a sign of romance but now lovers were able to send secret messages to each other by means of sending a posy of flowers. Each flower had a specific meaning and the order of arrangement had much to do with the intended "message". The French seem to have taken this idea to heart. In 1819 a French woman writing under the pen name of Madame Charlotte de la Tour (Louise Cortambert), wrote and published "Le Language des Fleurs" which offered seasonal floral and anecdotal advice to those wishing to send "secret" messages to each other.
The following list of flowers comes mainly from that original book but has been augmented to include some common flowers of today as some of those from yesteryear are unknown. Enjoy this glimpse into the past and keep this in mind the next time you send or receive flowers!
Abecedary: Volubility
Abatina: Fickleness
Acacia: Chaste love, Concealed love, Friendship
Acacia, Rose: Friendship
Acacia, Rose or Pink: Elegance
Acacia, Rose or White: Elegance
Acacia, White: Friendship; Ours is a Chaste Love
Acacia, Yellow: Secret love
Acalia: Temperance
Acanthus: Arts
Achillea Millefolia: War
Achimeness: Such worth is rare
Aconite (Wolfsbane): Misanthropy, Treachery
Aconite, Crowfoot: Luster
Acorn: Nordic Symbol of Life and immortality
Adonis, Flos: Painful recollections;
Adonis Vernalis: Bitter memories
African Marigold: Vulgar minded
Agnus Casus (or Castus): Coldness, life without love, Indifference;
Agrimony: Thankfulness, Gratitude
Allspice: My Heart Feels Compassion
Almond: Hope, Giddiness, Heedlessness
Almond (Common): Stupidity, Indiscretion
Almond (Flowering): Hope; I continue to hope
Almond, Laurel: Perfidy
Almond Tree: Stupidity, thoughtlessness
Aloe: Sorrow--Dejection, Superstition,
Bitterness, Grief, Religious superstition;
Alstroemeria: Strength
Althaea Frutes (Syrian Mallow): Persuasion
Althea: Consumed by love
Alyssum, Sweet: Worth beyond beauty
Amaranth: Immortality; Unfading Love
Amaranth (Globe): Immortality; Unfading love
Amaranth (Cockscomb): Foppery; With Affectation
Amaryllis: Splendid beauty, Beautiful but timid; Pride; Pastoral Poetry
Ambrosia: Love returned
American Cowslip: Divine beauty; Beauty divine
American Elm: Patriotism
American Linden: Matrimony
American Star Wort: Welcome to a stranger; Cheerfulness in old age
Amethys (or Amethyst): Admiration; My love for you is undying
Anemone: Anticipation, Expectation
Anemone, Field: Sickness, illness
Anemone, Garden: Forsaken; Withered hopes; Illness
Anemone, Windflower: Desertion; Forsaken
Anemone (Zephyr Flower): Sickness; Expectation
Angelica/Angelica Herb: You are my Inspiration
Angrec: Royalty
Apocynum (Dogbane): Inspiration, Deceit
Apple: Temptation; Let me Tempt you; Give in to Temptation
Apple Blossom: Preference; Fame speaks him great and good; I prefer you
Apple, Thorn: Deceitful charms
Apricot Flower: Doubt, distrust
Arbor vitae: Unchanging friendship; Live for me
Arbutus: Thee only do I love
Arbutus, Trailing: Welcome
Arkansas Coreopsis: Love at first sight
Arum: Ardour/Ardor; Ferocity and deceit
Ash/Ash Tree: Grandeur
Ash-leaved Trumpet Flower: Separation
Ash, Mountain: Prudence
Aspen Tree: Lamentation; Sighing
Asphodel: Regrets beyond the grave; Remembered beyond the tomb; My regrets follow you to the grave
Aster (China): Variety; Afterthought;
Aster, Large flowered: Afterthought; Love of variety;
Auricula, Scarlet: Avarice
Austurtium: Splendour
Autumn Leaves: Melancholy
Azalea: Romance; Temperance; Take Care of Yourself for Me; Chinese Symbol of Womanhood; Fragile Passion; True to the end
Baby's Breath: Ours is an everlasting love
Bachelor's Button: Hope; Single Blessedness; Celibacy; Hope in love
Balm: A cure; Sympathy;
Balm, Gentle: Pleasantry
Balm, Mint: Pleasantry
Balm of Gilead: Healing; I am cured; Relief
Balsam: Impatience; My love for you can't wait
Balsam, Red: Touch me not; Impatient resolves
Balsam, Yellow: Impatience
Balsamine: Impatience
Barberry: Sharpness, satire; Petulance; Ill temper; Sourness of temper
Barberry Tree: Sharpness
Basil: Give me your good wishes; Best Wishes
Bay Leaf: I change but in dying; No change till death; I change but in death
Bay (Rose) Rhododendron: Danger; Beware
Bay Tree: Glory
Bay Wreath: Reward of merit
Bearded Crepis: Protection
Beech: Prosperity; Lovers' tryst
Bee Ophrys: Error
Bee Orchis: Industry
Begonia: Deformed; Beware
Belladonna: Silence
Bell Flower: Constancy; Gratitude
Bell Flower, Pyramidal: Constancy
Bell Flower (small white): Gratitude
Bells of Ireland: Good Luck
Belvedere: I declare against you;
Belvidere, Wild (Licorice): I declare against you;
Betony: Surprise
Bilberry: Treachery
Bindweed: Humility; Night;
Bindweed, Great: Insinuation
Bindweed, Small: Humility
Birch Tree: Gracefulness; Meekness
Birdsfoot Trefoil: Revenge
Bittersweet; Nightshade: Truth
Black Bryony: Be my support
Black Poplar: Courage; Affliction;
Black Thorn: Difficulty
Bladder Tree: Frivolous amusement
Bladder-Nut Tree: Frivolous amusements
Bluebell: Constancy; Kindness; Humility
Blue Bottle: Delicacy
Blue-flowered Greek Valerian: Rupture
Borage: Bluntness; Abruptness; Rudeness
Bonus Henricus: Goodness
Borus Henricus: Goodness
Bouquet of Withered Flowers: Rejected Love
Box/Box Tree: Indifference; Constancy; Stoicism; Constancy in friendship
Bramble: Lowliness; Envy; Remorse
Branch of Currants: You please all
Branch of Thorns: Severity; Rigor
Bridal Rose: Happy love
Briers: Envy
Broken Straw: Constancy
Broom: Humility; Neatness;
Browallia Jamisonii: Could you bear poverty
Buckbean: Calm repose
Bud of White Rose: Heart ignorant of love;
Bugloss: Falsehood
Bulrush: Docility
Bundle of Reeds, with their Panicles: Music
Burdock: Importunity; Touch me not;
Buttercup: Riches; Memories of childhood; Ingratitude; Childishness
Butterfly Orchis: Gaiety
Butterfly Weed: Let me go
Cabbage: Profit
Cacalia: Adulation
Cactus: Thou leavest me; Warmth; Our love shall endure
Calla AEthiopica: Magnificent Beauty
Calla Lilly: Feminine beauty; Delicacy; Modesty;
Calycanthus: Benevolence
Calendula: Constancy
Camellia: Gratitude; Perfect; Loveliness; I shall love you always; Admiration; Gift to a Man
Camellia Japonica, Red: Unpretending excellence
Camellia Japonica, White: Perfected loveliness
Camellia, Pink: Longing for you
Camellia, Red: You're a flame in my heart
Camellia, White: You're adorable
Camomile/Chamomile: Energy in adversity
Canary Grass: Perseverance, determination
Candytuft: Indifference
Canterbury Bell: Gratitude; Constancy; Acknowledgement
Cape Jasmine: I'm too happy;
Cape Jasmine Gardenia: Transport; Ecstasy
Cardamine: Paternal error
Cardinal Flower: Distinction; Preferment
Carnation: Pure and deep love; Pride and beauty; Fascination
Carnation, Deep Red: Alas! for my poor heart
Carnation, Pink: I'll never forget you
Carnation, Purple: Capriciousness
Carnation, Red: My heart aches for you
Carnation, Solid Color: Yes
Carnation, Striped: Refusal; No; Sorry I can't be with you
Carnation, White: Sweet and Lovely; Innocence; Pure Love; Women's Good Luck Gift
Carnation, Yellow: Disdain; Rejection; You have disappointed me
Carrot Flower: Do not refuse me
Catalpa Flower: Beware of the coquette
Catchfly: Snare; Caught at last
Catchfly (Silene), Red: Youthful love
Catchfly, White: I fall a victim; Betrayed
Cattail: Peace; Prosperity
Cedar: Think of me; I live for thee; Strength
Cedar Leaf: I live for thee
Cedar of Lebanon: Incorruptible
Cedar Sprig: Constancy in love; I live for thee
Celandine: Future joy; Many Joys to come
Cereus (Creeping): Modest genius;
Cereus, Night Blooming: Transient Beauty
Centaury Delicacy
Champignon: Suspicion
Checkered Fritillary: Persecution
Cherry: A good education;
Cherry Blossom: Spiritual beauty
Cherry Tree: Good education
Cherry Tree, White: Deception
Chestnut: Do me justice
Chestnut Tree: Do me justice; Luxury;
Chickweed: I cling to thee; Rendezvous; Will you meet me?
Chickory : Frugality; Economy
China Aster: Love of variety; I will think of thee
China Aster, Double: I partake your sentiments
China Aster, Single: I will think of it, deliberation
China, Pink: Aversion
China or Indian Pink: Aversion
China Rose: Beauty always new
Chinese Chrysanthemum: Cheerfulness under adversity
Chorozema Varium: You have many lovers
Christmas Rose: Relieve my anxiety;
Chrysanthemum: You're a wonderful friend; Cheerfulness and Rest
Chrysanthemum, Red: I love
Chrysanthemum, Rose: In love
Chrysanthemum, White: Truth, veracity
Chrysanthemum, Yellow: Slighted love
Cinnamon Tree: Forgiveness of injuries;
Cinquefoil: Beloved child; A beloved daughter; Maternal affection
Cistus, or Rock Rose: Surety; Popular favour
Cistus, Gum: I shall die to-morrow
Citron: Ill-natured beauty;
Clarkia: The variety of your conversation delights me
Clematis: Artifice; Mental beauty
Clematis, Evergreen: Poverty
Clinging Woodbine: Fraternal love
Clotbur: Rudeness; Pertinacity
Clover, Four-leaved: Be mine
Clover, Purple: Providence
Clover, Red: Industry
Clover, White: I promise; Think of me
Cloves: Dignity
Clyanthus: Worldliness
Coboea: Gossip
Cockle: Vain is beauty without merit
Cockscomb Amaranth: Foppery; Affectation; Singularity
Colchium/Colchicum, or Meadow Saffron: My best days fled; My best days are past
Coltsfoot: Justice shall be done you
Columbine: Desertion; Folly
Columbine, Purple: Resolved to win
Columbine, Red: Anxious and trembling; Great anxiety
Convolvulus: Bonds
Convolvulus, Blue (Minor): Repose; Night
Convolvulus Major: Dead hope Extinguished hopes;
Convolvulus Minor: Uncertainty
Convolvulus, Pink: Worth sustained by judicious and tender affection
Corchorus: Impatience of happiness; Impatient of absence
Corcopsis: Love at first sight
Coreopsis: Always cheerful
Coreopsis Arkansas: Love at first sight
Coriander: Hidden merit/value
Corn: Riches; Abundance
Corn, Broken: Quarrel
Corn Bottle: Delicacy
Corn Buttercup: Riches, wealth
Corn Cockle: Gentility
Corn Straw: Agreement
Cornel Tree: Duration
Cornelian Cherry Tree: Continuance; Duration
Coronella: Success crown your wishes
Coronilla: Success to you
Cowslip: Native grace; Pensiveness; Winning grace
Cowslip, American: Divine beauty; You are my divinity
Coxcomb: Foppery
Crab Blossom: Ill-tempered
Cranberry: Cure for heartache;
Crane's Bill: Envy
Creeping Cereus: Horror
Cress : Power; Stability, always reliable
Crocus: Cheerfulness; Abuse not
Crocus, Spring: Youthful gladness
Crocus, Saffron: Mirth
Crowfoot: Ingratitude
Crowfoot (Aconite-leaved): Lustre
Crown Imperial: Majesty; Power; Pride of birth
Crowsbill: Envy
Cuckoo Plant: Ardour
Cuckoo Flower: Paternal Error
Cucumber: Criticism
Cudweed, American Unceasing remembrance;
Currants: You please me; Thy frown will kill me;
Cuscuta: Meanness
Cyclamen: Diffidence; Resignation; Goodbye
Cypress: Death; Mourning; Despair; Mourning;
Cypress and Marigold: Despair
Daffodil: Chivalry; Unequalled love; Regard; I send my regards; You're the only one; The is always shining when I'm with you
Dahlia: Eloquence and dignity; Forever thine
Daisy, Garden: I share your feelings; I share your sentiments
Daisy, Michaelmas: Farewell
Daisy, Party-coloured: Beauty
Daisy, Red: Beauty unknown to possessor
Daisy, Single Field: I will think of it
Daisy, White: Innocence; Loyal Love; I'll never tell; Purity
Daisy, Wild: I will think of it;
Damask Rose: Bashful love; Brilliant complexion;
Dandelion: Rustic oracle; Coquetry; Lover's Oracle; Faithfulness; Happiness
Dandelion Ball: Depart
Daphne Mezereon: I desire to please;
Daphne Odora: I would not have you otherwise;
Darnel (Ray grass): Vice;
Datura: Deceitful charms
Daylily: Coquetry
Dead Leaves: Sadness
Dew Plant: Serenade;
Dianthus: Make haste;
Diosma: Usefulness;
Dittany: Birth;
Dittany of Crete: Birth
Dittany of Crete, White: Passion;
Dittany, White: Passion;
Dock: Patience;
Dodder: Meanness; Baseness;
Dogsbane: Deceit; Falsehood;
Dogwood, Flowering: Am I indifferent to you?; Durability; Our love will endure adversity
Double Daisy: Participation; Enjoyment;
Dragon Plant: A snare;
Dragonwort : Horror; Astonishment;
Dyplidinia Brassinoda: You are too bold;
Ebony: Hypocrisy; Blackness;
Eglantine: I wound to heal;
Elder: Compassion; Zealousness;
Elecampane: Tears;
Elm: Dignity and grace;
Enchanter's Nightshade: Witchcraft; Sorcery;
Endine: Frugality;
Endive: Frugality;
Epigaea, Repens: Budding beauty;
Everflowering Candytuft: Indifference
Eupatorium: Delay;
Evening Primrose: Inconstancy
Evergreen: I will remember you forever
Evergreen Clematis: Poverty; Want;
Evergreen Thorn: Solace in adversity;
Everlasting: I think of thee; Never-ceasing remembrance;
Everlasting Pea: Wilt thou go with me? Lasting pleasure; Go not away;
Fennel: Force; Strength; Worthy all praise
Fern: Fascination; Magic; Sincerity; Confidence and Shelter
Fern, Maidenhair: Sacred Bond of Love
Fever Root: Delay;
Ficoides, Ice Plant: Your looks freeze me; Addresses rejected;
Fig: Argument; Longevity, long-lived;
Fig Marigold: Idleness
Fig Tree: Prolific
Filbert: Reconciliation
Fir: Elevation; Time
Fir Tree: Elevation
Flax: I feel your kindness; I feel your benefits; Domestic Industry;Fate; I am sensible of your kindness
Flax-leaved: Tardiness
Fleur-de-lis: Flame; I burn;
Fleur-de-Luce: Fire;
Flora's Bell: Without pretension
Flos, Adonis: Painful recollections;
Flowering Fern: Reverie;
Flowering Reed: Confide in heaven;
Flowering Rush: Confidence in Heaven
Flower-of-an-Hour: Delicate beauty
Flytrap: Deceit; Artifice
Fools' Parsley: Silliness;
Forget-me-not: True love; Do not forget; Memories
Forsythia: Anticipation
Fox Glove: I am ambitious only for you; Insincerity; A wish;
Foxtail Grass: Sporting
Francisca Latifolia: Beware of a false friend
Fraxinella: Fire
Freesia: Trust
French Honeysuckle: Rustic beauty;
French Marigold: Jealousy
French Willow: Bravery and humanity;
Fritillaria (Guinea-hen Flower): Persecution
Frog Ophrys: Disgust
Fuchsia: Humble love; The ambition of my love thus plagues itself
Fuchsia, Scarlet: Taste
Fuller's Teasel: Misanthropy
Fumitory Spleen; Hatred
Furze: Anger; Love for all seasons
Garden Anemone: Forsaken;
Garden Chervil: Sincerity;
Garden Daisy: I partake your sentiments;
Gardenia: Transport; Ecstasy; Secret Love; You're Lovely
Garden Marigold: Sacred affection; Uneasiness;
Garden Ranunculus: You are rich in attractions;
Garden Sage: Esteem;
Garland of Roses: Reward of virtue;
Garlic: Courage; Strength
Gentian: Intrinsic worth; Integrity;
Gentian, Fringed: Intrinsic worth;
Geranium, General: Comfort
Geranium, Apple: Present preference; Facility;
Geranium, Dark: Melancholy
Geranium, Ivy: Your hand for next dance; Bridal favour; I engage you for the next dance
Geranium, Lemon: Unexpected meeting
Geranium, Nutmeg: I expect a meeting; Expected meeting;
Geranium, Oak: Lady, deign to smile; A melancholy mind;
Geranium, Oak-leaf: True friendship;
Geranium, Pencilled: Ingenuity;
Geranium, Rose: Preference; I prefer you;
Geranium, Scarlet: Silliness; Comforting; Stupidity;
Geranium, Silver-leaf: Recall
Geranium, Wild: Steadfast piety;
Germander Speedwell: Facility
Gillyflower: Bonds of affection;Lasting beauty
Gillyflower, Common: Lasting Beauty;
Gillyflower, Stock: Promptness
Gladiolus : Ready armed; Preparedness; Flower of the Gladiators; Give me a break, I'm really sincere
Glory Flower: Glorious beauty; Glory;
Gloxinia: Love at First Sight
Glycine: Your friendship is agreeable to me
Goat's Rue: Reason
Gold Basket: Tranquility
Golden Rod: Encouragement; Precaution;
Gooseberry: Anticipation
Goosefoot: Goodness
Gorse (or Furze): Endearing affection; Anger; Our Friendship is enduring
Gourd: Extend; Bulk
Grammanthes: Your temper is too hasty;
Grape: Charity; Intemperance;
Grape Vine: Intemperance
Grass: Utility; Submission; Usefulness;
Great Yellow Daffodil: Chivalry
Greek Valerian: Rupture
Guelder Rose: Winter; Age; Good news
Gum Cistus: I shall die to-morrow
Hand Flower Tree: Warning
Harebell: Grief; Retirement; Submission;
Hawkweed: Quicksightedness
Hawthorn: Hope
Hazel: Reconciliation
Hazelnut/Filbert: I would like to reconcile
Heart's Ease: Think of me;
Heart's Ease, Purple: You occupy my thoughts;
Heath: Solitude
Heather, Lavender: Admiration; Solitude
Heather, White: Protection; Wishes will Come True
Helenium: Tears
Heliotrope: I adore you; Devotion;
Heliotrope, Peruvian: I love; Devotion; Faithfulness; Infatuation, Adoration
Hellebore: Scandal; Calumny;
Helmet Flower (Monkshood): Knight-errantry
Hemlock: You will be my death;
Hemp: Fate
Henbane: Blemish; Fault; Imperfection;
Hepatica: Confidence
Hibiscus: Delicate beauty
Hoarhound: Fire
Holly: Domestic happiness; Am I forgotten?; Foresight; Defense
Holly Herb: Enchantment
Hollyhock: Fruitfulness; Fecundity; Ambition;
Hollyhock, White: Female ambition
Honesty (Lunaria): Sincerity; Honesty; Fascination;
Honey Flower: Sweet and secret love;
Honeysuckle: Spirit vision; The bond of love; Devoted love; Fidelity Generous and devoted affection;
Honeysuckle, Coral: The colour of my fate;
Honeysuckle (French): Rustic beauty;
Honeysuckle, Monthly: I will not answer hastily; Domestic happiness;
Honeysuckle, Wild: Devoted love
Hop: Injustice
Hornbeam : Ornament
Hornbeam Tree: Ornament, a treasure
Horse-Chestnut: Luxury
Hortensia: You are cold;
House-Leek: Domestic economy; Vivacity;
Houstania: Innocence; Content;
Houstonia: Content
Hoya (Wax Plant): Sculpture
Humble Plant: Despondency; Humility;
Hundred-leaved Rose: Dignity of mind;
Hyacinth: Jealousy Constancy; Benevolence; Sports & Games; Play; Rashness; Flower Dedicated to Apollo
Hyacinth, Blue: Constancy
Hyacinth, Purple: Sorrow; I am Sorry; Please Forgive Me
Hyacinth, Red or Pink: Play
Hyacinth, White: Unobtrusive loveliness; I'll pray for you
Hyacinth, Yellow: Jealousy
Hydrangea: Heartlessness; Vain-glory; Thank you for Understanding
Hyssop: Cleanliness
Iceland Moss: Health
Ice Plant: Your looks freeze me
Indian Cress: Resignation; Warlike trophy;
Indian Jasmine (Ipomoea): Attachment; I attach myself to you;
Indian Pink (Double): Always lovely;
Indian Plum: Privation;
Ipomaca: I attach myself to you;
Iris: I have a message for you; Fleur-de-lis, Emblem of France; Your friendship means so much to me; Faith; Hope; Wisdom and Valour; My Compliments
Iris, Common Garden: A message for thee;
Iris, German: Flame
Iris, Yellow: Flame
Ivy: Fidelity; Marriage; Wedded Love; Friendship; Affection
Ivy Leaf: Friendship
Ivy, Sprig of, with tendrils: Assiduous to please;
Ivy Tendrils: Assiduous to please
Ivy Vine: Matrimony, marriage
Jacob's Ladder: Come down
Japan Rose: Beauty is your only attraction;
Jasmine: Amiability; You are cheerful and graceful
Jasmine, Cape: Transport of joy;
Jasmine, Carolina: Separation
Jasmine, Indian: I attach myself to you;
Jasmine, Spanish: Sensuality
Jasmine, White: Amiability
Jasmine, Yellow: Grace and elegance
Label: The Language of Flowers
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