20 popular flowers with surprisingly deeper meanings

While you probably knew that roses are a symbol of love and romance, you might not have known that each color of rose has its own specific meaning. For instance, white roses symbolize purity and new beginnings, while pink roses symbolize gratitude and joy. 

There’s a reason you see daffodils on springtime cocktail napkins and Easter decorations. These yellow flowers symbolize rebirth and hope, both of which are springtime themes. 

Daisies symbolize innocence, purity, and new beginnings, which is no surprise considering their white petals. These are a great flower to include in an arrangement for someone who’s moved to a new city or just gave birth. 

Orchids are a symbol of beauty, luxury, refinement, and good fortune, which shouldn’t surprise anyone who’s ever purchased these expensive flowers. Like roses, orchids also have different meanings according to their specific colors. 

Marigolds carry a lot of symbolism, representing joy, warmth, and everything, good and bad, associated with walking through life. They’re a great reminder to have in a pot at home. 

Peonies are a pretty, feminine flower that often comes in pink. They represent romance and good fortune, and they’re a symbol of a happy marriage. You’ll see these flowers in wedding bouquets for a reason. 

Sunflowers are a treat to see in fields near the end of summer. The next time you pass by a sunflower field, remember that they symbolize happiness, loyalty, and good luck. Pick a few for a friend who’s in need of some warmth and cheer. 

Irises are small purple flowers with a unique petal shape. These little beauties symbolize faith, hope, and courage. The purple is also related to nobility, as is the case for the color in other contexts. 

Not all purple flowers symbolize royalty, though. Lilacs, another purple flower, are a symbol of spring. They also represent a first love and innocence. Others have given these flowers as a symbol of friendship, too. 

Carnations don’t look too different from a rose, and they come in all sorts of colors, too. Like roses, the meaning of carnations varies based on specific colors, but their general meaning is love, fascination, and devotion. They’re a very romantic flower. 

Tulips are another flower with specific meanings according to color. Their general meaning, though, is perfect and deep love. This meaning can apply to lots of different relationships, though, not just between lovers. 

Poppy flowers have a deep meaning steeped in military history and Greek and Roman mythology. Red poppies, in particular, represent remembrance and death, which is why they’re seen so often on military tombstones. 

Lavender is popular for its color and scent, both of which play into its meaning. These lovely flowers symbolize purity, tranquility, and peace, which is why they’re so heavily associated with aromatherapy. They also represent devotion, so you may see them included in romantic gifts. 

To millennials, chrysanthemums might be associated with a little mouse made fun of for her name. To those fluent in the language of flowers, they’re associated with longevity, joy, optimism, friendship, and well-being. 

A lily is another flower you’ll often see at Easter and throughout the spring. These popular flowers symbolize purity and new beginnings, similar to other spring flowers. They’ve got a more specific meaning breakdown according to their colors, too. 

Hydrangeas have different meanings according to location. In Japan, they represent apology and remorse, while across Europe, they represent arrogance and vanity. In general, these flowers mean gratitude and spiritual understanding, though clearly the exact meaning is up for debate. 

Dahlias are a symbol of dignity, respect, elegance, and growth. Their meaning is likely rooted in characteristics of the plant. Dahlias are a resilient flower that can withstand unfavorable growing conditions. 

If you want to send a bouquet to a friend who could use some self-care, send azaleas. These flowers represent femininity and love, as well as gentleness. But you can send these flowers to loved ones for other reasons, too. 

Hyacinths are another flower with different meanings based on color, but they generally represent joy, sincerity, and love. Beware of yellow hyacinths, though, as those represent jealousy. 

Geraniums symbolize many things, including love, friendship, peace, health, and spirituality. They also represent fertility, so they can be sent to a loved one trying to have a baby.