Often we buy floral bouquets to celebrate happy occasions – think birthdays, weddings, anniversaries or new adventures. Sometimes we send floral bouquets to loved ones as a sign of condolence. But, have you ever sent a bunch of flowers with negative meanings to someone you hate?
Ok, we don’t really expect you to send flowers to people you don’t get along with… But, thanks to floriography, the language of flowers that was popularised in the Victorian era, we know more about flowers and their meanings than ever before.
If you want to hint to your sister who’s just bagged tickets to see your favourite artist that you’re a little jealous, there’s a flower for that. Or, want to warn a friend that their new boyfriend might not be the one? There’s a bloom for that.
Thankfully, many of these flowers are still rather pretty and unless the receiver is clued up on the art of floriography they may never know the true meaning of your gift. But, if they do, remember that many flowers have different meanings from culture to culture, so it’s not all bad…
Here are 10 flowers with negative meanings that you need to know about the next time you want to express your feelings through a floral arrangement.
Yellow Roses
Typically roses are found in anniversary flowers and Valentines bouquets, seen as a symbol of love, desire and passion. So, it might surprise you to learn that yellow roses are in fact a symbol of jealousy and greed. In some cultures, they also have connotations of friendship so could be the best flower to give a suitor that you want to friendzone…
Black Dahlias
Dahlias are beautiful full blooms, striking in shape and colour. While they are usually seen to signify elegance, beauty and devotion, dark purple or black dahlias are a sign of betrayal. Yikes! However, it’s not all bad as if gifted upside down, folklore tells us that black dahlias can actually be a symbol of loyalty.
Orange Lilies
Delicate lilies are globally a sign of purity, innocence and peace – but, when it comes to orange lilies, well they reflect quite the opposite. While these vibrant blooms might look good, they are thought to signify deep hatred. On the other hand, orange lilies can symbolise enthusiasm and energy, so can be given to congratulate someone on a new job or promotion, or to mark a career milestone.
Tansies
While tansies name is derived from the Greek word athanasia, meaning immortality, in Victorian floriography they are thought to have negative connotations, meaning ‘I declare war on you!’. This is likely due to the bitterness of this herb and the impact it can have if consumed in large, unsafe quantities.
Black Roses
Another type of rose you should avoid sending, unless you want to deliver a hefty dose of hatred and despair to the receiver… Dark roses signify all things dreary and, well, dark. This is likely because these deep purple roses look almost black in colour, and come with negative connotations of death and mourning. However, a rose is still a rose, and in some cases dark purple roses are seen to be a sign of royalty and given to those you value and look up.
Rhododendron
While rhododendron plants look attractive, thanks to their full, fluffy blooms with delicate petals, they are rather deceiving. In the Victorian age, a rhododendron was a symbol of warning and danger due to its poisonous nature, and was said to mean ‘beware’. While it has many different meanings in different cultures, today it can still be used as a form of hidden communication and given to someone you feel must be careful…
Buttercups
Avoid bouquets with buttercups unless you want to hint to the recipient that they are a little childish. These delicate yellow petals symbolise joy, happiness and youthfulness. While in most cultures, this symbolism may be seen as a positive thing, in others it has negative connotations. As well as being associated with childishness, it’s also linked to ungratefulness. This is in part because buttercups can harm animals, which is seen to express a lack of respect for nature and its inhabitants. Perhaps a little pass agg when given in alone or included in an arrangement…
Begonia
Begonia’s peachy coloured petals and delicate structure may not look like a warning sign, but they are thought to symbolise caution. Begonias originated in warm climes and are native to south and central America, Africa and southern Asia. Today, you’ll find they make great houseplants – and thanks to their symbolism of caution and consideration, they can be gifted to someone you want to send a silent warning message to.
Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed’s leafy green stems and orange flowers are vibrant and intriguing – and get their name because they attract butterflies. But, despite their beauty, they have a surprisingly negative meaning symbolising solitude and rejection. By giving butterfly weeds in a bouquet, they act as a warning telling the receiver to leave you alone. However, if they aren’t clued up on floriography, this meaning might go straight over their heads. You’ve been warned…
Cyclamen
Just ended a friendship or mutually parted ways with an ex? Send them a bouquet featuring cyclamen. This sweet flower with its striking petals is a symbol of a separation and new path in life. While in some cultures they are seen to represent love and affection, they can also convey that these emotions have faded and it’s time to go your separate ways.
