Flowers have been used as symbols of love and healing for centuries. Different flowers convey different meanings based on their color, shape, and folklore. When choosing flowers to express love or promote healing, it is important to select varieties that align with your specific goal. This article explores some of the most popular flowers associated with love and healing and their symbolic meanings.
Roses
Roses are one of the most iconic symbols of love and romance. Red roses in particular are strongly associated with passionate romance. The red rose was designated as the official flower of Valentine’s Day in the 18th century. Giving a bouquet of red roses conveys deep love, longing, and desire. Pink roses have a more gentle meaning of gratitude, grace, and admiration. White roses evoke purity, innocence, and new beginnings, making them popular for weddings and new relationships.
Beyond color, different numbers of roses also carry meaning:
| Number of Roses | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Love at first sight |
| 6 | I want to be yours |
| 12 | Be mine |
| 24 | I’m yours |
So a bouquet of dozen red roses unequivocally communicates “Be mine” to the recipient.
Roses also promote emotional healing. Sending roses to someone recovering from loss or illness demonstrates caring and support during their time of need. The thorns on roses symbolize suffering, while the flower itself represents hope for new growth.
Lilies
Many types of lilies convey love and healing. White lilies symbolize purity and virtue. They are closely associated with the Virgin Mary in Christianity. Their pure white color denotes innocence and faith, making them a popular choice for funeral arrangements to honor the deceased.
Calla lilies represent magnificent beauty and are frequently featured in wedding bouquets. Their trumpet shape symbolizes new beginnings and transitions. Pink calla lilies in particular express appreciation and admiration for the recipient.
Daylilies signify passion, devotion, and enthusiasm due to their short blooming cycle that only lasts a day. Giving daylilies shows your fondness and excitement about someone.
Water lilies represent spiritual awakening and rebirth. They grow beautifully from murky depths, exemplifying resilience and inner strength to overcome challenges. Water lilies can comfort those struggling with loss or trauma.
Overall, lilies make meaningful gifts to show love and encouragement through life’s ups and downs.
Tulips
Tulips are commonly given to convey the message “perfect love.” Their bulb shape represents a heart blooming with love. Red tulips specifically communicate deep, passionate love for someone. Variegated tulips with streaks of color symbolize beautiful eyes, making them a romantic gift.
Purple and pink tulips send a message of caring affection, good wishes, and understanding. They make an uplifting gift for a partner or close friend in times of need. White tulips ask for forgiveness and send apologies, while yellow tulips represent cheerful thoughts and sunshine.
Tulips have also long held significance for healing. Ancient Greeks ate tulips to treat ailments and heal wounds. Today, just looking at tulips can lift spirits and promote mental well-being. Their cheerful spring blooms signal renewal and hope after the dark, cold winter.
Lavender
Lavender flowers convey devotion, grace, and elegance. Their soothing fragrance brings about calming, healing properties and feelings of serenity. For this reason, lavender is often incorporated into self-care rituals like baths, aromatherapy, and massage. Give lavender flowers or oil to lift someone’s mood and promote relaxation.
In the Victorian era, lavender signified distrust or suspicion because the flowers stand apart from each other on long stems. But in more modern times, lavender expresses commitment and lasting love between partners. The lavender flower’s meaning evolved to convey steadfastness and loyalty in relationships.
Lavender also carries importance in Christianity, symbolic of chastity and virtue. The soothing purple blooms comfort and heal emotional or physical distress.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers epitomize positivity, warmth, and happiness. Their bright petals evoke the warming rays of the sun and smiles. Sunflowers track the sun as it moves across the sky, reflecting unconditional devotion. They make perfect gifts to lift someone’s spirits during challenging times.
In tarot, sunflowers represent optimism, expansion, and attainment of goals. They orient their entire beings towards the light of the sun, pushing through obstacles to fully flourish. Sunflowers remind us to focus on the positive and persevere through difficulties.
The sunflower’s deep roots ground it strongly in the soil. This reflects the stability of unwavering, steady support. So sunflowers also symbolize loyalty and longevity in relationships. Their durable structure mirrors commitment to weathering all storms together.
Daisies
Daisies represent new beginnings, innocence, and purity due to their simple white petals. They convey loyal love when given in multitudes. Gerbera daisies in particular express cheerfulness and joy. Their bright, happy faces lift spirits and delight recipients.
Daisies offer healing through their ability to relieve pain. In medieval times, daisies were commonly used to heal wounds. Today, daisies remain an anti-inflammatory herb used to treat arthritis.
Give daisies to cheer up loved ones or mark special occasions like birthdays and graduations. Their happy symbolism emphasizes optimism about the future and excitement for new adventures.
Carnations
Carnations denote fascination, distinction, and love. Their ruffled, lush petals represent complexity and depth of feelings. Red carnations specifically convey deep love and affection. Light red carnations symbolize admiration, while dark red blooms represent deeper sentiments of passion and commitment.
White carnations evoke pure love, remembrance, and innocence. They make a thoughtful sympathy gift in times of loss. Meanwhile, pink carnations impart gratitude, joy, and motherly love. With their wide range of color meanings, carnations allow tailored floral messages.
Carnations also support physical healing. An herbal tea brewed from carnation petals can relieve stress and insomnia. Place carnations around the home to uplift energy and mood.
Conclusion
Flowers speak a symbolic language that imparts our innermost feelings. Classic blooms like roses, tulips, and lilies communicate romantic love. Soothing flowers like lavender and daisies relay healing vibes. When words fail, let the meaning behind flowers convey what lies in your heart. A thoughtful bouquet sends messages of love and comfort louder than words can profess.
