"Flower Meanings: The Language of Flowers"; Almanac.com; Dumbarton Oaks Archives; January 11, 2023; https://www.almanac.com/flower-meanings-language-flowers; Accessed February 27, 2023.
Victorians created a language for flowers, which enabled them to express thoughts and feelings they wouldn’t be otherwise able to convey in a world where courtship had to adhere to strict rules. Each flower had its specific meaning, depending on its color, its shade of color, and its arrangement with other flowers.
Rose: The flower symbolism associated with red roses is generally love, remembrance, passion (red); purity (white);
happiness (pink); infidelity (yellow); unconscious beauty, I love you. However, the color of the rose plays a huge role. Red roses symbolize love and desire, but roses come in a variety of colors and each has its own meaning.
Buttercup: The flower symbolism associated with buttercups is humility, neatness, and childishness. Buttercups are
part of a large genus of 400 species. Buttercups usually flower in April or May but flowers may be
found throughout the summer. In the Pacific Northwest (USA) the buttercup is called ‘Coyote’s eyes.’
In the original legend, a coyote was tossing his eyes up in the air and catching them again when an
eagle snatched them. Unable to see, coyote made eyes from the buttercup.
Pansy: The flower symbolism associated with the pansy is merriment and you occupy my thoughts. The
pansy is also called the heartsease or Johnny Jump Up. The name pansy is derived from the French
word pensée meaning "thought", and was so named because the flower resembles a human face. In
August the pansy is thought to nod forward as if deep in thought.
Columbine: The flower symbolism associated with Columbine is foolishness or folly. Originally, the Columbine was dedicated to the goddess Freya, the patron goddess of crops and birth. She was the symbol of sensuality and was called upon in matters of love. She loved music, spring, flowers, and elves and was the most gracious and beautiful of all the goddesses. Another example includes Ophelia in Shakespeare’s Hamlet
giving a bouquet containing Columbines to King Claudius for his ingratitude and infidelity.
Rosemary: The symbolism associated with Rosemary is remembrance. It is included in funeral wreaths as a symbol of remembrance and in wedding bouquets as a symbol of fidelity. It's said that if you touch a lover with a sprig of rosemary, they'll be faithful.
Daisy: The flower symbolism associated with the daisy is purity, innocence, loyal love, beauty, patience, and
simplicity. Daisies are often depicted in meadows in Medieval paintings, also known as a "flowery
mead." Daisies are believed to be more than 4,000 years old and hairpins decorated with daisies
were found during the excavation of the Minoan Palace on the Island of Crete. Even further back,
Egyptian ceramics were decorated with daisies. Daisies were used in Mary Gardens.
Orchid: The flower symbolism associated with the orchid is love, beauty,
refinement, many children, thoughtfulness, and mature charm.