Everyone loves to receive beautiful flowers – but it’s even more special when someone goes the extra mile and remembers your favourite flowers. From lush peonies to bright and bold carnations, there are so many to pick – and everyone has their own favourite flowers.
While we’re on the topic, we’ve just launched our ever-so-thortful flower delivery service, which you can purchase if you buy a card from us – so earn some serious brownie points with your special someone, show your loved ones you’re thinking of them, and make sure you pick their favourite types of flowers to send to them.
But what does it mean if you prefer a classic bouquet of red roses, or if your heart swells at the sight of summery sunflowers? We think your favourite type of flowers says something about your personality – and there’s a whole language of different flower meanings out there. So if you’ve ever wondered ‘what do flowers represent?’ read on to find out about this and what your favourite blooms say about you.
Hoping to brighten a loved one’s day? Choose one of our vibrant flower cards from the options below:
The language of flowers
Now, before you accuse us of making this up – did you know that the Victorians had a whole language of flowers? There were books dedicated to the meaning of flowers, with a description behind each and every bloom, and you could even send secret messages with a bouquet – if your beloved sent you a bunch of yellow carnations, rather than swooning you’d be more likely to bash him over the head with them – because yellow carnations mean disdain, disappointment, or rejection.
Even the way flowers were presented to the receiver was important. If you handed over a bouquet upside down, it meant that the flower meanings were reversed – and if the flowers were wilted, that was the Victorian equivalent of a sick burn. Don’t worry, though – we can guarantee that when you get flowers delivered from thortful, your flowers will be perfectly presented.
Your favourite flowers, and what they say about your personality
According to the old Victorian language of flowers, and the Old Farmer’s Almanac, here’s what some of your favourite popular flowers say about you as a person – and hey, even if you don’t have a favourite flower, if one of these descriptions suits you to a T, maybe it’s a sign that that’s the flower for you!
Roses
Britain’s favourite flower (and the national flower of England, to boot), the rose is traditionally a symbol of enduring love and romance. If a classic red rose is your favourite flower, you’re probably passionate and outspoken – and maybe even a hopeless romantic (even if you keep it well hidden).
What do roses represent? Beyond romantic love, roses represent many different things. Yellow roses represent true friendship and joy, whereas white roses have connotations of innocence, purity, and virtue.
Lilies
Ever wondered ‘what do lilies represent?’ Well, they’re widely known to symbolise love, devotion, and fertility. Lilies have a beautiful, unique scent – and in classic flower language, they send a message of true beauty.
Lily lovers are totally classic – you’d describe your style as timeless, and you’re a confident but understated sort of person. You build your look around key pieces that will never go out of style.
When cared for properly, lilies remain fresh for up to two weeks. For more on keeping your flowers looking bright and cheerful, read our handy guide on how to keep your flowers fresh.
What do lilies symbolise? Similar to white roses, lilies are also known to symbolise innocence. In some Eastern cultures, lilies are heavily entwined with ideas of prosperity, luck, and success!
Tulips
The different colours of tulips mean different things, but they both suit you – red tulips stand for passion, and yellow means that there’s sunshine in your smile. That’s you – you’re plenty of fun to be around, always coming up with ideas for things to do and places you want to visit. Your style is varied, but always sleek and eye-catching.
What are tulips associated with? Tulips bloom in spring, therefore they are usually associated with birth and rebirth. This makes them the perfect gift for someone who has recently welcomed new life into the world.
Peonies
Peonies used to signify a wish for a happy life, and that fits you just fine. You like the finer things in life, and you’re very into tactile, touchable surfaces all around you – like soft wool jumpers, lush velvets and pretty chiffons.
If you’re looking to treat the mother figure in your life, then peonies make the perfect gift. For more ideas on fresh bouquets your mum will love, here’s our guide on ultimate bouquets for mums.
What do peonies signify? Peonies generally symbolise honour and love. Purple peonies are known to represent ambition, whereas yellow ones signify the warmth of friendship. Peonies are vibrant, versatile flowers which is why they are many people’s favourites.
Daffodils
It’s a classic springtime flower, and the national flower of Wales – and just like springtime, people who love daffodils are likely to be a breath of fresh air. You know your mind, and you put your loved ones and family first. Daffodils were used as an emblem of unequalled love, and appropriately, you love intensely and without reservations.
What are daffodils symbols of? As well as being associated with spring and new beginnings, daffodils are symbols of creativity and self-love. Why not grab yourself a bunch of daffodils and nurture your inner creative spirit?
Daisies:
Daisies typically represent new beginnings, purity, and rebirth. You may be drawn to daisies if you’re seeking out a fresh start in life, or if you have exciting new prospects on the horizon. Daisies are also the perfect flower to press and treasure forever. They naturally lie flat, and most of their colour can be retained when pressed. Head over to our guide on flower pressing for all the top tips and tricks.
What do daisies symbolise? Although daisies are one of the more petite flowers on our list, they too are loaded with meaning. As well as representing rebirth, they also typically signify patience and tenderness.
Orchids
Orchids are one of the most feminine flowers, with an exotic and glamorous kind of beauty. Appropriately, orchid-lovers are a sophisticated sort, with a refined sense of style. You’re not over the top or flashy, but those around you know that you are deeply dependable and a go-to for opinions and advice.
What do orchids stand for? Along with being exotic and glamorous, orchids are also recognisable symbols of strength and durability. They flourish in a wide range of environments, and their resilience makes them perfect for someone going through a tough time.
Sunflowers
People who love a summery sunflower are likely to be bold, confident, and outgoing – you have an eye for beautiful things, and always finish your outfits with a bold statement piece. In the Victorian era, sunflowers signified adoration – because they turn to face the sun. If sunflowers are your favourite flowers, you are your own personal little sun – you love to be the centre of attention, and you’re at your best amongst lots of people.
What do sunflowers represent? With their vibrant petals and tendency to turn towards the light, sunflowers are widely known to represent hope, joy, and optimism. A bunch of sunflowers is bound to brighten the gloomiest of days!
Bluebells
If your go-to bouquet is a simple bunch of bluebells, you might be a little bit more of a wallflower, but you appreciate the simple things in life – like a calming walk through the woods, a good cup of tea, or a beautiful sunset. Bluebells signify humility or constancy – you’re a steady pair of hands. You might be more low-key than some flashier flower fans, but very easy to love.
What do bluebells signify? Bluebells are known not only to signify humility and constancy, but also gratitude and love. This means that they are popular in arrangements given to express deep appreciation.
Flower language might not be a hard and fast rule – and of course, there’s more variety in people than in a field of wildflowers – so even if you don’t perfectly fit these descriptions, it’s worth letting your loved ones know what your favourite flowers are so they can surprise you. And it’s even more worth learning their most beloved bunch, so you can really earn brownie points!
For more flower knowledge, fun insights, and creative ideas, head on over to our blog.
