Wedding anniversaries are special milestones to celebrate the years of marriage and honor the love between a married couple. Each year has a traditional wedding anniversary gift associated with it, with certain themes that connect to that year. The 40th wedding anniversary in particular represents a major relationship achievement, as it marks four decades of marriage.
Overview of 40th Wedding Anniversary
The 40th wedding anniversary is known as the Ruby anniversary. The ruby gemstone is a traditional and symbolic gift for this anniversary due to its deep red color and hardness, representing enduring passion and strength in the marriage. Rubies are one of the four precious gemstones, known for their beauty and rarity. After 40 years, a couple’s love is still precious and beautiful like a flawless ruby.
In addition to rubies, the traditional 40th anniversary flower is the gladiolus or “sword lily.” The gladiolus flower spikes have sword-shaped leaves, representing the strength and courage needed to stay in a marriage for 40 years. The dramatic spiked gladiolus blooms come in a diverse range of bright, vivid colors, symbolizing the vibrancy the couple has maintained in their relationship over time.
Meaning and Symbolism of the Gladiolus Flower
So why is the gladiolus such a fitting 40th wedding anniversary flower? Here is an overview of the gladiolus and what it represents:
- Gladiolus flowers grow from bulbs that fan out into tall, erect flower spikes with sword-shaped leaves. Their shape conveys strength, moral integrity, and infatuation.
- The gladiolus bloom opens gradually from the bottom up along the stem, representing progress and advancement in the marriage after decades together.
- Gladioli grow in a wide spectrum of vibrant colors like vivid reds, oranges, pinks, yellows, purples, and whites. The diversity of color symbolizes the vibrancy and passion that can continue to thrive after 40 years of marriage.
- The gladiolus is native to sub-Saharan Africa and required warm weather to thrive. This tropical origin represents the warmth of passion in the marriage.
- Gladioli bulbs multiply over time, representing growth and increase. After 40 years, the couple likely has an expanded family and deepened love.
- The tall, upright flower stalks represent moral strength and integrity. Staying married for 40 years takes commitment, values, and strong character.
Overall, gladiolus flowers reflect endurance, vibrancy, integrity, passion, increase, and strength – all fitting symbols after four successful decades of marriage.
History and Meaning of the 40th Anniversary
The origins of celebrating 40th wedding anniversaries date back centuries with traditional materials to represent each milestone anniversary. Here is some background on the tradition:
- The origins of anniversary gifts trace back to medieval Germanic culture, when marriage anniversaries were celebrated by presenting gifts made of certain materials.
- In modern times, each year of marriage came to have an associated material and symbolic theme. The 40th anniversary was associated with rubies, a precious red gemstone representing passion and strength after decades together.
- In 1937, the American National Retail Jeweler Association officially published a list associating certain gemstones and materials for each wedding anniversary year. Rubies were designated as the traditional 40th anniversary gemstone at this time.
- In addition to gemstones, each anniversary was also associated with a flower that connects symbolically to the meaning of that marriage milestone. Flower choices were often inspired by the deeper meaning associated with certain bloom colors, growth habits, origins and other symbolism.
- The gladiolus was chosen as the official 40th wedding anniversary flower because its sword-shaped blooms and tropical origins evoke strength, integrity, endurance, and passion – all fitting for a 40-year marriage.
Today, couples have embraced the tradition of celebrating milestone anniversaries with meaningful symbols like gemstones and flowers. The durability of rubies and the vibrant gladiolus blooms make them fitting choices to represent love and vitality flourishing after 40 years of marriage.
How to Give Gladiolus Flowers for a 40th Anniversary
If you want to give gladiolus flowers to celebrate a couple’s 40th wedding anniversary, here are some tips:
Get a variety of colors
Gladioli come in a huge range of different colors, so get a mix to symbolize the vibrancy of their love and life together. Go with a wide spectrum – red, pink, orange, yellow, purple, white.
Pick a large bouquet
Choose a big, full gladiolus bouquet with around 20-25 stems. The large arrangement will make a dramatic, bold statement to commemorate 40 years of marriage.
Incorporate other flowers
Pair the gladiolus with other romantic, complementary anniversary flowers like roses, tulips, orchids, lilies, stocks, carnations.
Include greenery
Add ferns, eucalyptus, and other greenery to provide a lush, full look and background for the gladiolus blooms.
Opt for delivery
Rather than bringing the anniversary bouquet yourself, have it delivered for a wonderful surprise. Include a card celebrating their milestone.
Time it right
Make sure the gladiolus bouquet arrives near the actual anniversary date. Gladioli typically last 1-2 weeks when cared for properly.
Use it for decor
In addition to bouquets, incorporate gladiolus flowers into anniversary party decor. Have vases on tables, petals scattered on tables, or wreaths on walls.
Popular Alternatives to Gladiolus for 40th Anniversary Flowers
While the gladiolus is the traditional 40th anniversary flower, there are other beautiful bloom options to consider as well:
Roses
Red roses are classic symbols of love and passion. Arrange 40 roses or have roses mixed in to honor the years spent together.
Lilies
Stargazer lilies and other hybrid lilies come in vibrant colors and have a stunning, dramatic look perfect for such a major milestone.
Tulips
Long-lasting tulips are available in endless color varieties. Go with a mix of colors for a rainbow-bright bouquet.
Carnations
Ruffled carnations are budget-friendly but beautiful anniversary blooms. Plus, they last a long time. Use red along with other colors.
Orchids
Exotic orchids convey beauty and elegance. Phalaenopsis and dendrobium orchids work well in arrangements.
Chrysanthemums
“Mums” come in a huge range of fall hues like orange, red, yellow and rust to represent autumn of life.
Anniversary Flower Arrangement Inspiration
Looking for ideas on how to beautifully arrange gladiolus and other flowers for a 40th anniversary? Here are some tips and inspiration:
Opt for a vase bouquet
To highlight the dramatic gladiolus blooms, use a glass vase and arrange the stems in water. Choose a short, wide vase so the spikes stand upright.
Incorporate variety
Mix in different flower types like roses, lilies, tulips, carnations, and stock. Vary colors and include greenery for texture.
Try a wreath or garland
For a unique presentation, arrange gladiolus flower spikes and other blooms in a circle as a wreath or garland. Hang it on a wall or above a doorway.
Make it monochromatic
For bold, dramatic impact go monochromatic with all red, white or purple gladiolus and other flower choices in matching hues.
Highlight numbers
Use 40 roses, lilies, or other blooms. Or, arrange flowers or petals in the shape of 40.
Use ribbons and accessories
Choose ribbons in ruby red, metallic gold or silver. Add crystals or pearls to represent the gemstone anniversary.
Tips for Caring for Gladiolus Flowers
To make your gladiolus bouquet last longer, follow these care tips:
- Cut the stems on an angle to allow better water absorption.
- Change the water every 2-3 days.
- Use floral food or diluted lemon juice in the water to nourish the blooms.
- Keep out of direct sunlight to avoid wilting.
- Keep away from heat sources like radiators or vents.
- Trim the stems every few days to remove dead parts.
- Recut the stems underwater right before you display in a vase.
Properly cared for, a gladiolus bouquet should last 1-2 weeks. Recutting the stems and changing the water regularly will keep the flowers looking fresh.
Unique Gift Ideas for a 40th Anniversary
In addition to gladiolus flowers, here are some other special 40th anniversary gift ideas:
| Gift | Reason |
|---|---|
| Ruby jewelry | Rubies are the traditional 40th anniversary gemstone |
| Wine with custom label commemorating the anniversary date | Represents aging well together like fine wine |
| Vacation or experience gift | Creates new memories and bonding time |
| Engraved photo album or framed collage | Honors your relationship history |
| Personalized portrait or caricature | Captures your likenesses |
Along with the traditional gladiolus bouquet, personalized, experiential and symbolic ruby gifts make the 40th anniversary extra special.
Celebrating Your Milestone Anniversary
Reaching the 40th wedding anniversary is an amazing accomplishment worth celebrating. With decades of commitment, life experiences, challenges and joys, you have built a solid foundation of love. The gladiolus flower and other traditional symbols represent the strength, wisdom, passion and growth you have nurtured in your relationship over time. Let the ruby flower bouquets and gifts commemorate your devotion on this momentous ruby anniversary!
