Flowers and their meaning – one for every occasion
“In joy and in sadness, flowers are our constant friends.”
Roses are red, violets are blue. But what does it all mean?
Some may choose floral arrangements purely based how the flowers look – but often, that’s not the whole story. Not only beautiful or fragrant, many blooms can also convey special meanings from the giver to the recipient.
Every day, our Café Vita et flores team helps members of the community find the perfect floral arrangement for whatever they require. We dive into some of the meanings of different flowers so you can give an extra special flower arrangement for your next occasion.
Red Rose
This popular flower’s meaning of love and romance is widely recognised across the world. Red roses are striking and beautiful and will always make someone feel adored, loved and appreciated.
Red is a strong colour and can also mean passion, power, excitement, change, confidence and of course, strength. Red flowers could be helpful when someone is needing a little more confidence, energy or spontaneity in their life.
Orange Poppy
Red poppies are most well known for their use during the Anzac memorials and Remembrance Day, where they symbolise the ultimate sacrifice made by servicemen and women. However, in other colours, they also inspire imagination and can be a wonderful inclusion in floral arrangements for other occasions.
Orange can be a thoughtful colour to consider for a loved one during a period of change. It is warm and bright, offers emotional support and can improve self-confidence. Brighten someone’s day and show you care with some blooms in this vibrant hue.
Yellow Tulip
One can’t help but smile when tulips are near. That’s why the tulip festival in the Netherlands is so popular – people visit to simply enjoy and smile at the beauty all around them. Yellow tulips specifically symbolise the act of smiling.
Yellow is a joyful colour. It symbolises optimism, enlightenment, fun, laughter, summer and cheer. It can also be significant for memory, clarity and enthusiasm for life. Yellow flowers are wonderful to bring brightness and light in difficult times.
Blue Iris
The iris can say to someone, “your friendship means so such to me”. It can also symbolise faith, hope, wisdom and valour. This is the perfect flower to show someone you love and respect them.
Blue conveys truth, sincerity, loyalty and honesty. This is why it’s such a wonderful flower colour for friendship. It’s also nurturing, reliable and protective – a great choice for holding someone in your heart during a challenging experience.
Zinnia Magenta
This beautiful flower represents lasting affection. Show someone you will always love and care for them with this flower, wherever they may be. It can be a great flower to send to someone who is grieving as it can also convey that you are thinking of an absent friend.
Magenta symbolises universal love. It’s a compassionate colour and gives such beauty and vibrance to any floral arrangement when included. It inspires beauty, brings emotional balance and can help with moving forward.
Pink Hyacinth
This playful flower is sure to make whoever receives it smile. The hyacinth is a symbol of positive things and can help someone during their time of healing. It can also be a great way to brighten someone’s day and show them you’re thinking of them.
Pink represents grace, gentility, and happiness. It can also convey youth, innocence, and joy. It’s a warm, cheerful colour that lends itself beautifully to many floral arrangements.
White Orchids
Orchids could be some of the most thoughtful flowers you could send to someone grieving or in need of sympathy. They are charming and symbolise beauty, love and maturity.
If you want to say, “I will always love you,” then an orchid is for you.
White flowers are often used for funerals and memorials, or when showing someone that you care. White symbolises innocence, clarity, wholeness, completion and new beginnings. The colour white is a beautiful way to symbolise life’s journey.
Send a message with flowers
If you would like to give flowers to somebody you care about, our Café Vita et flores team can help.
With 70 years of combined experience, our florists can tailor a beautiful bouquet or arrangement that conveys the message you would like to share. Contactless click-and-collect is available when you order via our online florist shop, or you can submit an enquiry here if there’s something specific they can create for you.
If you are unable to visit in person, our teams at Springvale Botanical Cemetery or Bunurong Memorial Park can also personally deliver your choice of flowers to the grave or memorial site of a loved one.
Please contact us here to discuss your specific needs.