Wedding Flowers and Their Meaning

Ancient brides carried herbs instead of flowers in their bouquets to cast off evil spirits. A bride carried sage for wisdom, dill for lust, rosemary for remembrance. Rosemary would also ensure faithfulness. Brides would also carry marigolds that had been dipped in rosewater. They would later eat them for their powers as an aphrodisiac.

Later flowers replaced herbs. Orange blossoms stood for happiness and fertility, ivy stood for fidelity, lilies for purity. Wheat was used to symbolize fertility. Most often the flowers were dried and hung in the bride’s new home.

Modern brides tend to carry flowers based on color and personal preference. Some still carry flowers based on their meanings. If you would like to incorporate a little more symbolism into your bouquets here are some widely accepted flowers and their meanings.

The Society of American Florists provides the following list of flowers and their meanings:

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  Alstroemeria: aspiring
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  Amaryllis: dramatic
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  Anemone: fragile
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  Apple Blossom: promise
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  Aster: contentment

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  Azalea: abundance
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  Baby’s Breath: festivity
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  Bachelor Button: anticipation

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  Begonia: deep thoughts
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  Black-Eyed Susan: encouragement
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  Camellia: graciousness

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  Carnation, Pink: gratitude
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  Carnation, Red: flashy
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  Carnation, Striped: refusal

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  Carnation, White: remembrance
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  Carnation, Yellow: cheerful
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  Chrysanthemum, Bronze: excitement

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  Chrysanthemum, White: truth
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  Chrysanthemum, Red: sharing
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  Chrysanthemum, Yellow: secret admirer

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  Cosmos: peaceful
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  Crocus: foresight
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  Daffodil: chivalry

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  Delphinium: boldness
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  Daisy: innocence
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  Freesia: spirited

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  Forget-Me-Not: remember me forever
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  Gardenia: joy
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  Geranium: comfort

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  Ginger: proud
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  Gladiolus: strength of character
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  Heather: solitude

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  Hibiscus: delicate beauty
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  Holly: domestic happiness
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  Hyacinth: sincerity

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  Hydrangea: perseverance
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  Iris: inspiration
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  Ivy: fidelity

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  Jasmine: grace and elegance
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  Larkspur: beautiful spirit
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  Lavender: distrust

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  Lilac: first love
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  Lily, Calla: regal
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  Lily, Casablanca: celebration

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  Lily, Day: enthusiasm
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  Lily, Stargazer: ambition
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  Lisianthus: calming

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  Magnolia: dignity
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  Marigold: desire for riches
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  Nasturtium: patriotism

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  Orange Blossom: fertility
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  Orchid: delicate beauty
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  Pansy: loving thoughts

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  Passion Flower: passion
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  Peony: healing
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  Poppy: consolation

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  Queen Anne’s Lace: delicate femininity
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  Ranunculus: radiant
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  Rhododendron: beware

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  Rose, Pink: friendship
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  Rose, Red: passionate love
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  Rose, Red & White: unity

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  Rose, White: purity
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  Rose, Yellow: zealous
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  Snapdragon: presumptuous

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  Star of Bethlehem: hope
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  Stephanotis: good luck
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  Statice: success

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  Sunflower: adoration
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  Sweet pea: shyness
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  Tuberose: pleasure

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  Tulip, Pink: caring
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  Tulip, Purple: royalty
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  Tulip, Red: declaration of love

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  Tulip, White: forgiveness
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  Tulip, Yellow: hopelessly in love
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  Violet: faithfulness

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  Wisteria: steadfast
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  Yarrow: good health
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  Zinnia: thoughts of friends