Wedding Flowers: Their Meanings and Floriography.

Wedding flowers symbolise sentiments and emotions and are often linked with myths and legends. Common symbols include love and romance (roses), purity and innocence (lilies, baby's breath), and good fortune (peonies, heather). Various colours also carry significance; for instance, red roses denote love, while white roses stand for purity.

Floriography, the Victorian language of flowers, appeared as a subtle means of communication when etiquette discouraged open displays of emotion. The coded language first appeared in 1819 with Charlotte de la Tour’s Le Langage Des Fleurs and was widely used in the nineteenth century in England and America.

High-society young women sent bouquets as tokens of love or warning, adorning their hair with flowers or tucking them into gowns. These coded messages of affection, desire, or sorrow let Victorians convey true feelings through an enigmatic display.

A detailed look at popular wedding flowers and their symbolism

Popular Wedding Flowers and Their Meanings  (Text in standard type has been taken from various online sources. Text in italics is paraphrased from Floriography – An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers, Jessica Roux, Andrews McMeel Publishing.)

Roses: The classic flower of love. Red signifies passion, while white represents purity. Historically, roses have symbolised love across cultures. For Victorians, the colour of the rose showed levels of affection, ranging from white to pink to red.

Lilies: Associated with purity, innocence, love, and devotion, white lilies are common in bridal bouquets. In the Middle Ages, the lily symbolised the Virgin Mary, and Gabriel is often depicted giving a lily to the Blessed Virgin in art.

Baby's Breath: Is innocence, purity, and everlasting love. Frequently used in bouquets and headdresses, it resembles a bridal veil.

Peonies: Symbolise good fortune and wealth. Floriography identifies this flower with bashfulness. Ancient Greeks believed nymphs transformed into peonies to hide from humans. Even in bloom, peonies’ petals curl inward, protecting their centres.

Orchids: Stands for beauty and luxury. Their colourful, delicate petals evoke a sense of elegance. During the Victorian era, orchids were a symbol of exotic luxury for the wealthy.

Hydrangeas: Symbolise pride and gratitude. Floriography states that they may also signify boastfulness and heartlessness, depending on interpretation.

Tulips: Represent perfect love. A Turkish legend tells of lovers Ferhad and Sherin, whose forbidden love leads to tragedy. Tulips sprout where Ferhad's blood spills, symbolising his devotion.

Daisies: Symbolise loyal love and innocence. They are associated with Freya in Norse mythology, and Roman myth, the nymph Belides transforms into a daisy to preserve her innocence.

Lavender: Is love at first sight and serenity, as well as distrust, according to floriography.

Magnolia: Signifies dignity and a love for nature. Known for its tall structure and large white blooms, it is often associated with the American South.

Lily of the Valley: Symbolises purity and the return of happiness. Legend states that lilies denote the spot where Saint Leonard fought the last dragon in England, blooming where his blood was shed. After vanquishing the dragon, he lived a joyful and secluded life.

Thistle: Symbolises bravery and the triumph over adversity, yet floriography also associates it with misanthropy.

Heather: Symbolises good luck. Scottish folklore tells of Malvina, who receives a sprig of purple heather from a dying warrior, Oscar, that turns white from her tears, symbolising the transformation of sorrow into good fortune.

Colour Symbolism:

White: Purity, innocence, new beginnings.

Red: Love, passion, romance.

Pink: Love, gratitude, joy.

Orange: Desire, passion, enthusiasm.

Yellow: Friendship, joy, jealousy.

Purple: Royalty, luxury, love, enchantment.

Green: Growth, fertility, harmony.

Tips for Choosing Symbolic Flowers:

Consider meaning: Select flowers significant to you and your partner.

Match the colours: Ensure flowers complement your wedding palette.

Think about the season: Choose flowers in season on your wedding date.

Consult a florist: They can help select flowers that fit your vision and budget.

Well, that’s the sometimes-contradictory world of the meaning of flowers and floriography wrapped up in a lovely bouquet fit for a wedding day! If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to read: Floriography – An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers, Jessica Roux, Andrews McMeel Publishing.)