Lust, Love and Deceit: The Flower Code

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...

Here are some more sources, check them out before you send your next bouquet.

Buy some flowers from these great florists.

Stroll through acres and acres of blooms.