What Flowers Symbolise Love?

Flowers allow us to convey the depth of our affection eloquently. Their beauty, fragility and ephemeral nature evoke the preciousness of love itself. 

But which blooms should you choose to encapsulate your feelings? Different flowers carry unique symbolism and significance. Understanding what various blossoms represent can help you craft bouquets that speak from the heart.

Red roses epitomise classic romance and passion. They directly say "I love you" in the language of flowers. For new relationships, red roses communicate desire and burgeoning love, while pink roses are more neutral for new love.  

Lilies, especially calla lilies, also symbolise romance with their elegant trumpet-shaped blooms. Their purity conveys a love that comes from the soul. 

Tulips signify the first awakening of love in their vivid spring hues. Red tulips declare blossoming passion, while pink tulips show happiness and confidence in professing feelings. 

Light red carnations reflect admiration, while dark red blooms convey deep love – perfect for anniversaries and romantic gestures.

Giving flowers is romantic because flowers have become cultural symbols of love and affection. Flowers are so powerful they can spark new love and reignite passion in fading relationships, making them a wonderful gesture.  

Roses: The Ultimate Emblem of Love 

No list of flowers symbolising love is complete without the rose. Often called the "flower of romance", roses have become the quintessential way to say "I love you" for centuries. 

Cleopatra infamously had rose petals fill her boudoir when she seduced Mark Antony, and Greek and Roman myths linked roses to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Today, roses remain the most famous Valentine's Day flower. 

While all rose colours convey love, some have additional meanings: 

• Red roses are symbols of passion and desire, perfect for new relationships. 
• Pink roses express gentler affection, ideal for sweethearts and anniversaries.   
• White roses evoke purity and new beginnings - an excellent choice for new engagements. 
• Yellow roses signify friendship turning into something more. 

You can't go wrong with roses, although red roses are sometimes a bit too much – the good news is you can pick cream or pink roses instead. 

Lilies: A Pure and Devoted Love 

The elegant blooms of lilies exude notions of commitment and longevity. In many cultures, lilies represent devotion - they were found sprinkled over the tombs of married couples in ancient Greece. 

Certain lily varieties hold special meaning: 

• Calla lilies indicate magnificent beauty, making them perfect for adoring partners. 

• Stargazer lilies represent aspiration and ambition for the future. 
• Tiger lilies symbolise pride, conviction, and confidence in relationships. 

With their trumpet-shaped petals arrayed on long, straight stems, lilies convey faithfulness and passion equally. 

In addition to their elegant, trumpet-shaped blooms, lilies are prized for their seductive fragrance and long-lasting cut flowers. 

The scent of lilies is evocative and complex. It varies by variety but commonly features sweet, floral notes, sometimes accompanied by spicy undertones. 

Carnations: Diverse Expressions of Affection 

Available in a rainbow of hues, carnations allow you to express your love creatively. Though understated compared to dramatic roses, carnations have been admired since Greek antiquity. 

• Pink carnations symbolise the first flush of love, while red blooms declare deep affection. 
• White carnations indicate pure love and innocence. 
• Striped carnations represent regret that love is not shared. 

Carnations' ruffled, layered petals embody a certain romance and charm, infusing any space with natural romance thanks to their compelling fragrance and lasting blooms.  

A few stems are all it takes to fill a room with their aphrodisiac scent. Their vivid colours, from regal purples to lipstick reds, also beckon the eye. 

Sunflowers: Radiant Love and Adoration 

What better flower to represent the warmth of love than the sunflower? With their beaming faces, these happy golden blooms communicate loyalty and passion. 

In the language of flowers, sunflowers symbolise adoration, longevity, and strength of feeling. Their namesake comes from their tendency to turn their heads toward sunlight as it moves across the sky. Likewise, for lovers, they represent unwavering affection. 

When you wish to send an instantly recognisable symbol of joy and devotion, choose sunflowers. As a bonus, your loved one can later collect and reuse the seeds from dried sunflower heads to grow their own. Lovely stuff! 

Tulips: Unveiling New Beginnings in Love 

With their cup-shaped and vividly coloured petals, tulips have long signified the first stirrings of romance and love. 

• Red tulips are most strongly associated with true love and deep passion. 
• Pink tulips convey happiness and confidence to declare your feelings.   

• White tulips represent worthiness and respect - an appropriate gift for new relationships. 
• Yellow tulips denote cheerful thoughts and sunshine, ideal for spiritual love. 

According to Persian legend, the first tulips sprung up from the blood of a tragic lover, making them eternally linked to love's tribulations. Tulips make an excellent choice when romance is budding. 

Orchids: Exotic Elegance and Passion 

The graceful, sensual allure of orchids equates them with romance in many cultures. Victorian-era etiquette books formally discouraged ladies from wearing orchids in public for fear of being deemed too flirtatious. 

Victorian plant hunters became utterly obsessed with collecting rare orchid varieties from around the globe. Newly discovered exotic orchids caused a sensation in Europe. These capricious blooms remain mysterious and coveted to this day. 

In ancient Greece, orchids symbolised fertility and virility. Chinese cultures view orchids as emblems of integrity, refinement, and friendship, while in Japan, orchids represent love and beauty in flower arranging. 

Today, orchids symbolise beauty, refinement, and mystery with a massive dose of love, with their asymmetric petals and speckled throats adding an exotic tone. Orchids work wonderfully as symbols of passion and magnetism between lovers.   

Pink orchids convey femininity and grace, while vibrant magenta blooms represent confidence and strength. Orchids make sophisticated statements of attraction and devotion. 

Forget-Me-Nots: Eternal Remembrance of Love 

The "forget-me-not" flower belongs to the genus Myosotis, with over 500 species native to Europe and Asia. The name was popularised by the poem The Keepsake by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, telling of a German tale of a knight picking blue flowers for his lady before falling into a river. As he drowned, he threw the blooms at her, crying, "Forget me not!". 

The first recorded use of the name dates to around 1532. By the Victorian era, forget-me-nots were beloved in England as symbols of remembrance and fidelity. 

Their delicate star-shaped blooms in shades of blue, pink, white, and yellow continue to represent cherished memories and nostalgia today. 

Messages of remembrance make forget-me-nots traditionally popular in bouquets for departed loved ones. But they also work beautifully as symbols of lasting, unbreakable bonds between the living. Forget-me-nots remain charming reminders of unforgettable love. 

Daisies: Innocent Love and Purity 

Gerbera daisies hold a special place as flowers that represent new love, perfect for different occasions depending on how you present them: 

• Daisies in a bunch: innocent love. 
• Daisies made into a crown: beauty and virtue. 
• Daisies in a wreath: wedding and marriage. 

The humble daisy evokes cherished childhood memories of first crushes and dreams of fairy tale romance. They are often among the first flowers children learn to recognise. Their simple shape and bright white petals surrounding a cheery yellow centre are eye-catching and easy for young minds to remember. 

The term "innocent as a daisy" evokes the purity, joy and imagination associated with childhood. Daisies themselves have an innocent, unassuming beauty, and this message of innocence makes them a fitting flower for sweet first loves.  

For charming confessions of new romance, daisies deliver. 

Expressing affection through flowers is a treasured tradition. Yet, as each flower carries its significance, creating a meaningful bouquet requires thoughtfulness. 

When selecting flowers to express love, here are a few helpful tips: 

• Consider the relationship's stage - New romance calls for gerbera daisies and pink roses, while established relationships call for red roses.  
• Match the bouquet to your beloved's personality - Bold sunflowers for outgoing sweethearts, delicate forget-me-nots for sentimental ones. 
• Understand cultural meanings - In Asia, white flowers often symbolise death, not purity, as in the West. Don’t mix these things up! 
• Pick your loved one’s favourite colour and flower - Customise with their preferred hues and blooms for a thoughtful gesture. 
• Include foliage - Greenery accents like willow or ivy add depth and meaning. 

• Choose quality flowers - Work with a florist like Eflorist to ensure long-lasting fresh blooms (our flowers have a 7-day freshness guarantee).  
• Add personal touches - A handwritten card, chocolates, or an item with nostalgic significance will make your gesture more special.  

At Eflorist, we offer romantic flower arrangements combining roses, lilies and many more varieties, giving you an unbeatable range. Browse our romantic flower selection and find the perfect blooms to share your love today.