Meaning of Flowers - Language of Flowers - Popular bridal flowers and their significance

The flower as a "messenger of the heart" became hugely popular in the nineteenth century, when people dreamt of the age of courtly love and faithfulness that made use of the sentimental "Language of Flowers". This nostalgic tradition has been revived today, with William and Kate choosing to bring personal touches, to their own Royal Wedding, by using the meaning of flowers as part of their story.
>> More on the meaning of the Royal Wedding Bouquet...

Victorian Language of Flowers
The Victorian Language of Flowers was born from a strong need to communicate powerful emotions such as; love, hate and rejection.. Expressing these emotions verbally was widely frowned upon and not readily permitted, in a society governed by strict social rules. In such a prim and proper society, suppressed human emotions became extremely motivating. Young couples hoping to court, looked cleverly for ways to overcome such stifling restrictions.

Secret messages using the Meaning of Flowers
Cunningly, a system was devised in which secret messages could be passed from one person to another, using the meaning of flowers. Messages of love, rejection and hate would pass through the social ranks daily and create great joy or heartbreak for the recipient, based on what blooms were included in their nosegay gifted by a beau, whether the flower was included in bud form or open, and even what colour the bouquet came in.

Duchess of Cambridge - Kate Middletons-Wedding Bouquet- and its meaning of flowers

The Victorian Language of Flowers became so widely used, that books explaining language etiquette date back from as early as 1818.

Today, many brides - including Royal Brides - do consider the meaning of flowers as a romantic nod towards tradition, but upon researching this fun topic, you will come across many meanings attributed to each flower and colour, so consider it fun and whimsical and perhaps not take it too seriously.

Other Pages you may be Interested in are:

Flower	Meaning
Alstromeria	Wealth, prosperity, fortune
Amaryllis	Pride
Anemone	Forsaken
Anthurium	Lover
Baby's Breath / Gypsophila	Innocence, Pure of Heart
Bells Of Ireland	Good Luck
Bouvardia	Enthusiasm
Calla Lily	Magnificent Beauty
Camellia	Gratitude
Carnations General	Fascination
Carnations Pink	Woman's Love / I'll never forget you
Carnations Red	Admiration, Fascination
Carnations White	Ardent love, good luck
Chrysanthemums	Cheerfulness
Daffodil	Regard
Fern	Sincerity
Freesia	Thoughtfulness
Gardenia	You're Lovely
Gladioli	Strength of Character
Honeysuckle	Bonds of love
Hyacinth	Constancy of love
Hydrangea	Thank you for understanding
Iris	Wisdom
Ivy	Fidelity, marriage, friendship and affection
Jasmine white	Amiability
Jonquil (Daffodil)	Sympathy
Larkspur	Fickleness
Lavender	Devotion
Lilac	Youthful / Humility
Lily	Majesty
Lily white	Purity and modesty
Lily Yellow	I'm walking on air
Lily of the Valley	Return of happiness
Magnolia	Dignity / love of nature
Narcissus	Egotism
Orange Blossom	Purity
Orchid	Rare Beauty / love
Paeony Rose, (Peonie rose)	Bashfulness
Poppy	Eternal sleep
Queen Anne's Lace	Haven
Ranunculus	You are radiant with charm
Rose	Love
Rose, red	Love, passion, respect, courage
Rose, white	Innocence, purity, secrecy
Rose, yellow	Joy, friendship
Rose, light pink	Grace, gladness, joy
Rose, dark pink	Thankfulness
Rose, red and white combined	Unity
Rose, orange	Fascination
Rose Peach	Desire
Rosebud	Pure and lovely
Rosemary	Remembrance
Statice	Sympathy, remembrance
Stephanotis	Happiness in Marriage
Stock	Lasting beauty
Sunflower	Adoration
Sweet Pea	Lasting pleasure
Sweet William	Gallantry
Tuberose	Dangerous pleasure
Tulip general	Perfect lover
Tulip red	Believe me
Tulip Variegated	Beautiful eyes
Tulip Yellow	Hopeless love
Violet	Modesty
Water Lily	Purity of heart
Wheat	Earnestness
Zinnia	Thoughts of Absent friends

Getty Images

Catherine Middleton's Wedding Bouquet ~
Her Royal Wedding bouquet, a small shield shaped, wired bouquet, is not only a beautiful bouquet in style, (and fragrance!) but all the blooms were carefully chosen for their meaning to both the Royal Family, and to Kate's family and heritage.
Royal wedding florist Shane Connolly 47, said: “One of the things that has been very important to Catherine is the meaning and language of flowers.”

Kate's bouquet features; Lily-of-the Valley (Convallaria), Sweet William (awwwww!), hyacinth, ivy and myrtle.

Meanings of these Symbolic Flowers:
~ Lily of the Valley -Symbolizes the return of happiness.
~ Sweet William - Gallentry
~ Hyacinths - Constancy of Love
~ Ivy - Fidelity, Marriage, friendship, and affection.
~ Myrtle - The emblem of marriage and love.

The myrtle used in Kates bouquet had further, family and historical significance.
The myrtle is actually from a plant Queen Victoria planted in 1845, the myrtle was used in Queen Victoria's daughters wedding in 1858, and later generations used it as a symbol of the sanctity of a royal wedding, including being used in Queen Elizabeth's wedding bouquet in 1947.

Even the Trees in Westminster Abbey had meanings~
The beautiful serene English trees used in the decoration of this historic, and stunning Cathedral were also selected due to their Victorian flower meanings.
~ Hornbeams - Symbolize Resiliance
~ Maples - Humility

Further Traditions~
The day after her Royal Wedding - Catherine - now the Duchess of Cambridge, returned her Wedding Bouquet to Westminster Abbey, where it is laid to rest on the Grave of the Uknown Soldier.
This tradition was begun by HM The Queen Mother at her marriage to King George VI, in memory of her brother Fergus who was killed in 1915, at the Battle of Loos during the First World War.

I just Love the use of symbolism and family history in this special bouquet.

I think all Brides are trying to bring special meaning and personal, individual touches to their own weddings. Using the meaning of flowers, significant to you and your families is a very touching way to do this.

Catherines Wedding Bouquet resting on the grave of the unknown soldier
Zimbio pictures

The Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine Middleton's Wedding Bouquet is laid to rest on the Grave of the Unknown Soldier - Westminster Abbey.

Wedding Bouquet meanings:

What is the meaning of flowers? This photo of an exotic wedding bouquet speaks of a language of love.

The meaning of this exotic bouquet of Anthuriums, orchids and white roses would be "You are my Lover, full of Rare beauty and Love, you have innocence, purity and a little secrecy."