The Art of Floriography

Do you know the art of floriography?

the art of floriography

Photo by Wan Chen on Unsplash

When you’re putting together a bouquet, it’s important that you know the basics of floriography.  If you’re not sure what floriography is, it’s basically the language of flowers.   Every flower has a different meaning that conveys a different message.  Whether you want to congratulate someone or celebrate your love, flowers are perfect for expressing almost any emotion.

The importance of flower color

When choosing flowers to give to someone, it’s not just the flower type that matters, you also have to take into consideration its color.  The color of a flower can completely change its meaning.  For example, while red roses might symbolize love and passion, white roses symbolize humility and sympathy.  This is why, when it comes to color, we have to pay attention.

Here are the basics of what each color represents:

  • Yellow: Joy and friendship.
  • Red: Love, Passion, respect, and courage.
  • Pink:  Sweetness, grace, and admiration.
  • Orange: Desire, enthusiasm, and congratulations.
  • White: Innocence, humility, and purity.
  • Lavender: Wonder, charm, and enchantment

How to gift flowers

When you put together an arrangement of the right flowers, you can touch someone’s heart.  To help you along the way, FTD outlined flower meanings with their ideas below.  With suggestions of which flowers to use for each occasion, you’ll be able to put together a heartfelt arrangement of flowers for your loved ones. 

Romantic flowers

Flowers are notorious for being a symbol of romance.  On Valentine’s Day, roses are often the flower of choice, but there are plenty of other flowers to choose from.  

Here are some romantic flowers and their respective meanings:

  • Dahlias: Lasting bonds and commitment between two partners
  • Red roses:  Passion and endless love
  • Red tulips: True love

[Romantic Card Download]

While choosing the right flowers can communicate a great deal, there’s nothing better than a hand-written letter to go with it.  Consider writing about your first date, or including some romantic quotes.  Whatever you do, just make sure you write from the heart.

Flowers to show appreciation

Sometimes you just want to thank someone for being a part of your life.  Nothing warms one’s heart more than a reminder that they are appreciated.  

Here are some flowers perfect for conveying appreciation:

  • Peach roses: Sincerity and gratitude
  • Lathyrus: Thankfulness and happiness
  • Hydrangeas: Deep, sincere appreciation

[Gratitude Card Download]

When you write a card to go with these flowers, be specific about what about the other person makes you grateful.  Do they always look out for you?  Are they dependable, or just fun to be around?  Just be your authentic self and your letter is sure to hit the mark.

Flowers to celebrate friendship

Friendships deserve to be celebrated.  A good friend is there for the ups and downs of life, and sometimes you just want to show them you appreciate it.  To this end, flowers are a great way to show a reliable friend some love. 

Some flowers perfect for celebrating a friendship are:

  • Alstroemerias: Devotion and camaraderie
  • Sunflowers: Loyalty and admiration
  • Freesias: Trust, thoughtfulness and friendship

[Friendship Card Download]

Add an extra layer of sincerity to your gift by printing the friendship card above.  You can write a message letting your friend know they’re important to you.  Assure them that your friendship is irreplaceable.

Congratulatory flowers

It’s natural that when a loved one achieves something great, you want to support them.  In cases like these, it’s not always easy to determine the perfect gift.  Luckily, there’s no better way to say congratulations than through an arrangement of flowers.  

To congratulate a loved one, use the following flowers:

  • Calla lilies: Innocence, purity, and faithfulness
  • Daffodils: New beginnings and rebirth
  • Peonies: Prosperity and happy life

[Congratulations Card Download]

Use the above congratulations card to tell the recipient how proud you are of them.  Lend them your words of encouragement and celebrate their success. 

Flowers that show sympathy

Perhaps you want to be there for someone who has recently lost someone close to them.  In that case, flowers are a great way to show them support and sympathy.

Here are some of the best flowers to show sympathy:

  • Poppies: Remembrance and peace
  • White roses: Reverence and humility
  • White stargazer lilies: Purity, faithfulness, and innocence

[Sympathy Card Download]

Writing a card to someone in mourning can be tricky.  While you want to assure them that everything is going to be okay, you don’t want to minimize the pain they’re going through.  To avoid this, you may just want to write to offer your support.  Offer your condolences for their loss and assure them you’re there to talk if they need you. 

Now that you have some basic knowledge of the language of flowers, you’re ready to put together your own arrangement.  Try not to get overwhelmed by all of the different meanings, however, as it’s the gesture itself that counts the most.

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