For years, flowers have been an important symbol in literature, songs, movies, and even just casual gift-giving. But did you know that different flowers hold different meanings and messages? What does each one mean? What are the best flowers for different occasions?

Through the years people have used flowers to express their feelings to others in many ways and even today, flowers still have various different meanings:

Take a look below for a more in depth explanation of what these stunning flowers mean:

Baby Breath

These adorable little flowers carry a significant symbolism of long-lasting and undying love, including familial, platonic, and romantic. They also represent pureness, freedom, and innocence. In modern contexts, they symbolise self-discipline and fidelity. As the name indicates, the baby breath is a classic gift to celebrate the arrival of a newborn baby, as well as the reconnecting with lost loves. They are also commonly used to round out wedding bouquets and centerpieces. In a wedding, the small white flowers represent the purity of emotion that two people have for each other.

Bird of Paradise

With its tropical nature and looking like a the head of a bird, this extravagant flower is the ultimate symbol for paradise as its name states, as well as freedom and joy. The Bird of Paradise also represents faithfulness, love, and thoughtfulness, which makes it the perfect romantic gift especially as it is known to be the official flower for a ninth wedding anniversary. It also represents a good perspective in life and the wish of great success, making it a classic gift for birthdays, or to congratulate someone when they step into a new chapter of their lives

Cactus

As cacti plants can survive in harsh conditions, they have become a symbol of warmth, protection, and motherly love. In Feng Shui, if you put this succulent on your terrace or windowsill, it is believed that it will protect you from negative energy and misfortune. In the West, cacti symbolize strength in the face of adversity and maternal love. Whereas receiving a flowering cactus from someone in Japan is actually a sign that they’re attracted to you. With all these different meanings, cacti would be perfect to gift someone for their birthday or as a get well soon present, as it will remind them to thrive and survive, and not let the world bring them down.

Carnation

The carnation in general symbolises love, fascination, and distinction. White carnations mean pure love and good luck; light red symbolises admiration; dark red mean deep love and affection; pink carnations mean gratitude and a mother's undying love. In China, carnations are the most common flowers used in wedding ceremonies. In Japan, the red carnation is the most popular flower for Mother's Day. Similarly in the United States, carnations are the official flower for Mother's Day, as well as being the birth flower for January and the first wedding anniversary flower as a sign of pure love and commitment.

Cotton Flower

Although not very common and popular, this odd yet stunning flower means to cherish the people around you and as a promise of wealth and well-being, making it the perfect gift for birthdays, proposals or anniversaries.

Daisy

With its beautiful bright colour being the the fifth most popular flower in the world, daisies are commonly known to symbolise innocence and purity, as well as cheerfulness and new beginnings. As such, it is usually given to congratulate new mothers, and would also be perfect for any sort of congratulatory gift, such as for graduation or a housewarming. Furthermore, they are composite flowers, meaning that they actually consist of two flowers combines into one. Due to it being two flowers that blend so well together, they also symbolise true love, making it the best gift you could give during a proposal, anniversary or wedding.

Eustoma

Known to be sociable, Eustomas is a flower that conveys appreciation and admiration, as well as friendliness, sweetness, and respect. They can also speak of peace and happiness for a lifetime. Purple eustomas are symbolic for royalty and beauty; yellow ones are for happiness and joy; white ones are associated for spirituality, unity, and innocence; pink means charm and romance; orange ones symbolises positive energy; green eustomas are meant to show wealth or wishes for prosperity and riches. Based one all these meanings, it’s the perfect flower for using in wedding, birthday, and party bouquets. The secret message behind Eustoma flowers is to always be joyful no matter what. Troubles in life are passable and everything can be solved, only if you set your mind to it.

Hydrangea

Hydrangeas are the ultimate flowers to give someone if you want to show them your sincere gratefulness and appreciation towards them for their help and presence. Hydrangeas also symbolise a deep and profound understanding between two people that need not be romantic. Generally, it can be used to express anything honest and heartfelt. This pom-pom shaped flower can also represent abundance, and many plant hydrangeas in their garden to invite luck and abundance into their homes. The hydrangea is also known to be the fourth wedding anniversary flower to represent appreciation and heartfelt emotions. Thus, it can in turn also be gifted as an apology or a simple gratitude for your loved one.

Lavender

Not only does lavender smell and look beautiful, but it’s therapeutic, too! Lavender flowers are comprised of multiple purple florets on long narrow stems, spiking above the foliage. Lavender flowers are known to represent purity, silence, devotion, serenity, femininity, grace and calmness. Lavender flower comes only in purple color and this color is the symbol of the seventh chakra and it is located on top of the head. Purple is the color of royalty and speaks of elegance, refinement and luxury. Therefore this beautiful flower is a perfect gift for someone who is dear to you in every sense of this word and no matter what your relationship with this person is, as a birthday gift or anniversary gift.

Lily

Lilies are a significant symbol of purity and refined beauty as well as pure love, often used to celebrate 30th wedding anniversaries. One variation called the lily of the valley is also the birth flower for the month of May. White lilies symbolise modesty and virginity; orange lilies for passion; yellow lilies for lightheartedness and cheerfulness. A lily can also bring the meaning of friendship and devotion, sympathy, wealth and prosperity, and humility. Often associated with funerals, lilies symbolise that the soul of the departed has received restored innocence after death. It is further a great gift to give your loved ones as a congratulatory or housewarming present, as well as to convey the message of best wishes for new mothers and their newborn babies.

Orchid

This delicate flower represents rare and exotic beauty, refinement, thoughtfulness, and mature charm, as well as symbolising pride and glorious femininity. It also means love, luxury, and strength, which makes it an ideal gift for anniversaries and for wishes to get well soon. White orchids symbolise purity and elegance; yellow symbolise friendship and new beginnings; purple represent royalty and admiration and are often given as a sign of respect; pink orchids are the 14th and 25th anniversary flower, and they convey a feeling of pure affection alongside representing femininity, grace and joy. In China, orchids are seen as symbols of integrity, elegance and friendship, which is a great way to brighten up someone's birthday.

Rose

There are many types of roses — 150 species and thousands of hybrids can be found in a variety of shapes and colors. A rose’s symbolism varies by the color of the rose:

• Red roses symbolize love and romance and are the perfect Valentine’s Day rose.
• Pink roses symbolize gratitude, grace, admiration, and joy.
• Orange roses symbolize enthusiasm and passion.
• Yellow roses symbolize friendship.
• White roses symbolize innocence and purity. 

Traditionally, the rose is considered the flower of love. Nothing beats red roses in saying "I Love You" on Valentine's Day, anniversaries, and weddings. These flowers can also be used to convey different messages for birthdays and funerals, as a congratulatory, get well soon, and thankful occasions as well. Rose is also the June birth month flower and the 15th wedding anniversary flower, and, not surprisingly, June – the month so often associated with weddings – is National Rose Month.

Sunflower

Radiant, lush and full of joy - sunflowers bring summertime to mind and happiness to our loved ones. Many people still associate sunflowers with worship and adoration because they appear to always face the sun, plus, they radiate pure joy and positive vibes. Sunflowers symbolize unwavering faith and unconditional love. It’s perfect to send to your loved one if you want to express exactly how much you adore him or her. You may also gift sunflowers to new mothers as it does represent the form of good luck for their next stage in life. Sunflower arrangements are the perfect gift for any joyous occasions, such as new launches, baby showers, birthdays, graduation - basically any occasion worth celebrating and creating memories with your loved ones. When you bestie is feeling down, you know exactly what you need to cheer them up - a sunflower bouquet for days.

Tulip

The tulip is one of the world’s most easily recognized and loved flowers. The meanings of tulips coupled with the immediately identifiable shape of their colorful blooms make them a very essential flower choice. The meaning of tulips is generally perfect love. Like many flowers, different colors of tulips also often carry their own significance. Red tulips are most strongly associated with true love, while purple symbolizes royalty. The meaning of yellow tulips has evolved somewhat, from once representing hopeless love to now being a common expression for cheerful thoughts and sunshine. White tulips are used to claim worthiness or to send a message of forgiveness. The wide range of colors and varieties available allows them to be used for many occasions, such as anniversaries and weddings, apologies, and birthdays as well.

Now you know the meanings that different flowers convey, and you'll never have to worry about giving anyone the wrong message again!

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