A Guide to Selecting the Appropriate Flowers for Your South Carolina Event

Flowers have long been used to express certain feelings or convey a particular message. However, as time has evolved, the meaning of many flowers has gotten lost. To make your upcoming event extra special, take the time to learn the symbolic meaning of flowers and choose ones appropriate for the mood of your event.

The Meaning of Flowers: A Brief History

Flowers have been symbols of human emotion since the beginning of time. In the days of the ancient Greeks, wreaths of Laurel flower were placed on the heads of Olympians to symbolize victory and glory. According to Christian legend, carnations grew in the ground where Mary’s tears fell as she stood watching the crucifixion of Jesus – today, the carnation still represents a mother’s undying love for her child. And going back even further, some accounts claim that roses first turned red as they blushed at the shame of Adam and Eve as they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. It was not so long ago that the giving and receiving of flowers was a choreographed language – with intent meanings and responses.

With all of the openness experienced and practiced by today’s society, it’s hard to believe that at one time in history public displays of emotion were taboo. In the 18th and much of the 19th centuries it was considered vulgar or in poor taste to make public declarations of love. Society looked down upon playing out romantic affairs or tales of unrequited love on the public stage. Thus, the -language” of flowers emerged as a means of communicating feelings in a somewhat private manner. In the late 1800s, several small -dictionaries” were printed with the intrinsic meaning of certain flowers. This way, a suitor could send a romantic bouquet – expressing his deepest feelings – all without saying a word. In kind, the object of his affection could respond in either a positive or negative way – depending on the flowers she chose.

Today, many people still appreciate and utilize the symbolic meanings of flowers. Walk through any florist shop around Valentine’s Day and you will see more red roses that you can count. The romantic implications of red roses are widely known, but many people are unaware of the meanings of other common flowers. Certainly, you can choose to use any flower you find aesthetically pleasing for your next event, but taking the time to understand the symbolism of the flowers will make the event even more special.

What Your Flowers are Really Saying

If you want to complete the theme and emotion of your event, pay close attention to the symbolic flowers you are choosing to use. Some meanings, like that of the red rose, are easily recognized. You may, however, be surprised to learn the meanings of some of the most widely used flowers today. Below is a list of some of the most popular flowers being used by professional florists. See for yourself what your favorite flowers are really saying.

Baby’s Breath – Universal symbol of happiness
Pink Carnation – Symbol of a mother’s undying love for her child
Yellow Carnation – Disdain, rejection of love
White Carnation – Pure, innocent love
Daffodil – Unrequited love
Gardenia – -You are my secret love”
Calla Lily – Represents majestic beauty
Poinsettia – Generally associated with Christmas time, -Be of good cheer”
Red Roses – Undying symbol of true love, time-honored way to say -I love you”
Pink Roses – Symbol of grace and elegance
Yellow Roses – Represents friendship and loyalty
White Roses – Traditionally associated with marriage or new beginnings
Lavender Roses – Enchantment – used to express feelings of love at first sight
Hydrangea – Represents frigidity and heartlessness; surprising that in the US this is one of the most widely used wedding flowers
Tulips – Symbol of genuine, perfect love; often given after the initially lust has worn off and deep-seeded love has taken root.

As you can see, many of these popular flowers have meanings not always associated with them. You can, of course, choose to use any flower you like for your upcoming event. However, taking the time to learn and use the symbolic meanings of flowers will only had to the overall experience you are hoping to create. Contact a local florist to help you choose the appropriate flowers for your event. Visit www.EventPlanning.sc for a complete directory listing of all florists serving the South Carolina area.