Hanover Twp, PA 18706
68 East St. Mary’s Road,
570.823.2614
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68 East St. Mary’s Road, Hanover Twp, PA 18706
570.823.2614 info@beacon.com

The Symbolism of Flowers and Trees

The symbolic use of flowers was most popular in the Victorian period, but the tradition dates
back to antiquity. Listed below are a selection of flora and their accepted meanings.

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
V
W
Z
    A
  1. Acacia - Secret love
  2. Acacia (pink) - Elegance
  3. Acanthus - Heavenly gardens, the fine arts
  4. Acorn - Nordic symbol of life and immortality
  5. Allspice - Compassion
  6. Almond, flowering - Hope
  7. Aloe - Grief
  8. Amaranth, globe - Unfading love
  9. Amaryllis - Pride; Timidity
  10. Ambrosia - Love returned
  11. Anemone - Unfading love
  12. Angelica - Inspiration
  13. Aniseed - Restoration of youth
  14. Aster - Love; daintiness
  15. Azalea - Take care of yourself for me
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    B
  1. Baby's Breath - Everlasting Love
  2. Balm - Sympathy
  3. Basil - Best Wishes, Love
  4. Bay Leaf - Strength
  5. Bell flower - Gratitude
  6. Bird Of Paradise - Magnificence
  7. Bittersweet - Truth
  8. Bluebell - Humility; constancy
  9. Borage - Courage
  10. Burnet - A merry heartt
  11. Buttercup - Cheerfulness
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    C
  1. Cactus - Endurance; warmth
  2. Calendula - Joy
  3. Camellia - Admiration; perfection; good luck gift to a man
  4. Carnation (in general) Bonds of affection; health and energy
  5. Carnation (pink) - I'll never forget you
  6. Carnation (purple) - Capriciousness; whimsical; changeable
  7. Carnation (red) - My heart aches for you; admiration
  8. Carnation (white) -Sweet and lovely; innocence; pure love
  9. Cattail - Peace; prosperity
  10. Chamomile - Patience
  11. Chrysanthemum (in general) - Cheerfulness; You're a wonderful friend
  12. Chrysanthemum (white) - Truth
  13. Clematis - Mental beauty
  14. Columbine (purple) - Resolution
  15. Coreopsis - Always cheerful
  16. Crocus - Cheerfulness
  17. Cyclamen - Resignation and goodbye
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“God has given us memories that we might have roses in December.”
– J. M. Barrie
    D
  1. Daffodil - Respect
  2. Dahlia - Good taste
  3. Daisy - Innocence
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    E
  1. Eucalyptus - Protection
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    F
  1. Fennel - Worthy of all praise
  2. Fern - Sincerity
  3. Forget-me-not - True love; memories
  4. Forsythia - Anticipation
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“Just living is not enough” said the butterfly. “One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”
– Hans Christian Andersen
    G
  1. Gardenia - You're lovely; secret love
  2. Garland of roses - Reward of virtue
  3. Garlic - Courage; strength
  4. Geranium, scarlet - Comforting
  5. Gladiola - Strong character
  6. Gloxinia - A proud spirit
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    H Hydrangea
  1. Heather (lavender) - Admiration; solitude
  2. Heather (white) - Protection
  3. Heliotrope - Devotion
  4. Hibiscus - Delicate beauty
  5. Holly - Good will
  6. Honeysuckle - Generous and devoted affection
  7. Hyacinth ( purple) - I'm sorry; please forgive me; sorrow
  8. Hyacinth (blue) - Constancy
  9. Hyacinth (red or pink) - Play
  10. Hyacinth (white) - Loveliness; I'll pray for you
  11. Hydrangea - Thank you for understanding
  12. Hyssop - Wards away evil spirits
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    I
  1. Iris - Faith; eloquence; hope; wisdom and valor
  2. Ivy - Fidelity and friendship
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    J
  1. Jasmine - Amiability; attracts wealth
  2. Jasmine (yellow) - Grace and elegance
  3. Jonquil - Love me; affection returned; sympathy
  4. Juniper - Protection
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“Every blade of grass, each leaf, each separate floret and petal, is an inscription speaking of hope.”
– Richard Jeffries
    L Lilacs
  1. Laurel - Glory
  2. Lavender - Devotion
  3. Lemon Balm - Brings love
  4. Lilac, white - Youthful innocence
  5. Lily (cala) - Beauty
  6. Lily (eucharis) - Maiden charms
  7. Lily (general) - Keeps unwanted visitors away
  8. Lily (tiger) - Wealth; pride
  9. Lily (white) - Virginity; purity; majesty
  10. Lily of the valley - Sweetness; return to happiness; humility
  11. Lotus - Purity, perfection
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    M Magnolia
  1. Magnolia - Sweetness; beauty; love of nature
  2. Marigold - Comforts the heart
  3. Marjoram (sweet) - Joy and happiness
  4. Mint - Protection from illness; warmth of feeling
  5. Mistletoe - Affection; sacred plant of India
  6. Morning glory - Resurrection, youth, bonds of love and affection
  7. Moss - Maternal love; charity
  8. Myrtle - Love; Hebrew emblem of marriage
  9. Myrtle - Love
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    N
  1. Narcissus - Formality; stay as sweet as you are
  2. Nasturtium - Victory in battle; maternal love; charity; patriotism
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    O
  1. Oak - Strength, endurance
  2. Oleander - Caution; beware
  3. Olive - Peace, forgiveness, humanity
  4. Orange Blossom - Brings wisdom
  5. Orchid - Love; beauty; refinement; beautiful lady
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“In small proportions we just beauties see,
And in short measures life may perfect be.”
– Ben Jonson
    P Purple Iris
  1. Palm - Eternal peace, spiritual victory
  2. Pansy - Remembrance, humility
  3. Pea, sweet - Lasting pleasures
  4. Peach - Longevity
  5. Periwinkle, white - Pleasures of memory
  6. Petunia - Never despair
  7. Pine - Hope; pity
  8. Poppy (general) - Eternal sleep ; oblivion; imagination
  9. Poppy (red) - Pleasure; consolation
  10. Poppy (white) - Consolation; sleep
  11. Primrose - I can't live without you; early youth
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    R Rose
  1. Rose (dark crimson) - Mourning
  2. Rose (general) - Love ; I love you
  3. Rose (hibiscus) - Delicate beauty
  4. Rose (pink) - Perfect happiness
  5. Rose (red and white) - Together; unity
  6. Rose (single, full bloom) - I love you; I still love you
  7. Rose (tea) - I'll always remember
  8. Rose (thornless) - Love at first sight
  9. Rose (white) - Eternal Love ; innocence; heavenly; secrecy and silence
  10. Rose (Yellow) - Friendship
  11. Rose bud - Beauty and youth ; a heart innocent of love
  12. Rose bud (red) - Pure and lovely
  13. Rose bud (white) - Girlhood
  14. Rose leaf - You may hope
  15. Rosemary - Remembrance
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    S Sweet Pea
  1. Sage Wisdom - long life
  2. Salvia (blue) - I think of you
  3. Salvia (red) - Forever thine
  4. Smilax - Loveliness
  5. Snapdragon - Gracious lady
  6. Stephanotis - Happiness in marriage
  7. Strawberry - Perfect goodness
  8. Sunflower - Loyalty; wishes
  9. Sweet briar - Simplicity
  10. Sweet William - Gallantry
  11. Sweetpea - Goodbye; departure
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    T
  1. Thyme - Strength and courage; ensures restful sleep
  2. Tulip (general) - Fame, charity
  3. Tulip (red) - Believe me; declaration of love
  4. Tulip (variegated) - Beautiful eyes
  5. Tulip (yellow) - Hopeless love
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“I count my blessings with the flowers, never with the leaves that fall.”
– Lady Bird Johnson
    V
  1. Verbena - Pure
  2. Violet - Modesty; calms tempers; induces sleep
  3. Violet (blue) - Watchfulness; faithfulness; I'll always be true
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“The Amen! Of Nature is always a flower.”
– Oliver Wendell Holmes
    W
  1. Wheat - Longevity, a long life
  2. Willow - Bereavement, grief
  3. Wreath of laurel or olive - Victory over death
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    Z
  1. Zinnia - Thoughts of an absent friend
  2. Zinnia (magenta) - Lasting affection
  3. Zinnia (scarlet) - Constancy
  4. Zinnia (white) - Goodness
  5. Zinnia (yellow) - Daily remembrance
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“To see the world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower;
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.”
– William Blake

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