Traditions & Superstitions-Flowers
Do you wonder why we carry a bouquet on our wedding day? Why a wedding is not complete without flowers? Here are some the answers and a guide to the meaning of some flowers.
- Flowers have always been a part of weddings as away to show love and well wishes for the couple.
- In ancient times couples wore garlands or wreaths of garlic, herbs and spices instead of flowers to keep away evil spirits.
- In ancient Greece and Rome, the garlands symbolized new life, hope and fertility.
- The bridal bouquet was inspired from garlands and wreaths worn around the heads of both the groom and bride. The garland was considered a symbol of love and happiness.
- Dill is the herb of lust. When carried with the garlic down the aisle the bride would lust only for her husband.
- Sage is the herb for wisdom. When carried with the garlic it is said that the bride would gather great wisdom and learn goodness.
- Traditional Celtic bouquets include ivy, thistle and heather.
- In Germany, couples would hold candles with flowers and ribbons tied to them, during the ceremony.
- In India, the grooms brother sprinkles flower petals over the bride and groom at the end of the wedding ceremony to help ward of any evil spirits.
- In Sweden, the bridesmaids carry little bouquets of aromatic herbs and the groom carries thyme in his pockets as they walk down the aisle to scare off trolls.
- In Austria, the brides would crown their veils with the flowers of life.
- In England, as the bride and her bridesmaids walk to the church together. A small girl would lead them to the church while sprinkling flower blossoms along the path so the bride will have a life filled with flowers and happiness. {today's flower girl}.
- When herbs where still used in weddings, a kissing knot was made with rosemary and roses tied together. The kissing knot was suspended over the heads of the bride and groom at the head table, to bring good luck and lots of love to the couple and everyone sitting at the table.
- Some cultures and religions still intertwine herbs with flowers in order to celebrate their marriage with a gift from nature.
- By the 1800's, the herbs and spices had been replaced by fresh flowers, especially marigolds.
- Edible flowers were still included in the bouquet.
- Small nosegays were placed beside every plate at the reception, to wish the guests happiness and long lives.
- In Victorian times, flowers became the secret messengers of lovers; each flower having its own meaning.
- It is believed that 'the flower language' began in Turkey during the seventeenth century. Lovers began using floral exchanges to convey messages.
- These meanings are based on a science known as Florigraphy, 'the flower language'. Many flower lovers followed this language as it revealed underlying messages to sending and receiving flowers.
- In modern times, brides pick their flowers on what they like. Flowers that suit their personality, style and taste.
This bouquet courtesy of Wedding Flowers and Reception Ideas.
Here are some common wedding flowers and their meanings~
- Ambrosia~Your Love is Reciprocated
- Amaryllis~Pride, Pastoral Poetry
- Anemone~ Forsaken
- Aster~Symbol of Love, Daintiness
- Azalea~Take Care of Yourself for Me, Temperance, Fragile Passion, Chinese Symbol of Womanhood
- Baby's Breath~Festivity, Pure Heart
- Bachelor Button~Single Blessedness, Hope, Devotion
- Pink Camellia~Longing for you
- Red Camellia~You're a Flame in My Heart
- White Camellia~You're Adorable
- Carnation~Fascination, Woman Love
- Pink Carnation~I'll Never Forget You
- Red Carnation~My Heart Aches For You, Admiration
- Carnation~ Yes
- Striped Carnation~No, Refusal, Sorry I Can't Be With You, Wish I Could Be With You
- White Carnation~Sweet and Lovely, Innocence, Pure Love, Woman's Good Luck Gift
- Yellow Carnation~You Have Disappointed Me, Rejection
- Cattail~ Peace, Prosperity
- Chrysanthemum~You're a Wonderful Friend, Cheerfulness and Rest
- White Chrysanthemum~Truth
- Yellow Chrysanthemum~Slighted Love
- Crocus~Cheerfulness
- Daffodil~Regard, Unrequited Love, You're the Only One, The Sun is Always Shining when I'm with You
- Dahlia~Elegance, Dignity, Good Taste
- Daisy~Innocence, Loyal Love, I'll Never Tell, Purity
- Gerbera Daisy~Innocence, Gentleness, Loyal Love
- Edelweiss~Daring, Noble, Courageous
- Forget-Me-Not~True Love, Memories
- Freesia~Innocence, Trust, Friendship, Spirited
- Gardenia~You're Lovely, Secret Love
- Geranium~Stupidity, Folly
- Lavender Heather~Admiration, Solitude
- White Heather~Protection, Wishes Will Come True
- Hibiscus~Delicate Beauty
- Hyacinth~Games and Sports, Flower Dedicated to Apollo
- White Hyacinth~Loveliness, I'll Pray for You
- Hydrangea~Thank You for Understanding, Frigidity, Heartlessness
- Iris~Fleur-de-lis, Emblem of France, Faith, Hope, Wisdom and Valor
- Ivy~Wedded Love, Fidelity, Friendship, Affection
- Jasmine~Grace, Elegance, Joy
- Jonquil~Love Me, Affection Returned, Desire, Sympathy, Desire for Affection Returned
- Pink Larkspur~Fickleness
- Lavender~Distrust
- Lilac~First Love, Youthful Innocence
- White Lily~Virginity, Purity, Majesty, It's Heavenly to be with You
- Yellow Lily~I'm Walking on Air
- Amazon Lily~Maiden Charms
- Calla Lily~Beauty
- Casablanca Lily~Celebration
- Day Lily~Coquetry, Chinese Emblem for Mother
- Stargazer Lily~Ambition
- Tiger Lily~Wealth, Pride
- Lily of the Valley~Sweetness, You've Made My Life Complete
- Magnolia~Nobility
- Myrtle~Love, Hebrew Emblem of Marriage
- Narcissus~Egotism, Formality, Stay as Sweet as You Are
- Orange Blossom~Innocence, Eternal Love, Marriage and Fruitfulness
- Orchid~Love, Beauty, Refinement, Beautiful Lady, Chinese Symbol for Many Children
- Cattleya Orchid~Mature Charm
- Pansy~Loving Thoughts
- Peony~Happy Life, Happy Marriage
- Red Poppy~Pleasure
- Yellow Poppy~Wealth, Success
- Primrose~I Can't Live Without You
- Queen Anne's Lace~Fantasy
- Bridal Rose~Happy Love
- Pink Rose~Perfect Happiness, Please Believe Me
- Red Rose~Love, I Love You
- Tea Rose~I'll Remember Always
- Thorn-less Rose~Love at First Sight
- White Rose~Innocence and Purity, You're Heavenly
- White & Red Rose~Unity, Flower Emblem of England
- White-Dried Rose~Death is Preferable to Loss of Virtue
- Yellow Rose~Decrease of Love, Jealousy, Try to Care
- Rosebud~Beauty and Youth, A Heart Innocent of Love
- Red Rosebud~Pure and Lovely
- White Rosebud~Girlhood
- Single Rose ~Love You, I Still Love You
- Snapdragon~Deception, Gracious Lady
- Star of Bethlehem~Hope
- Stephanotis~Happiness in Marriage
- Sunflower~Adoration, Homage, Devotion
- Sweet pea~Good-bye, Departure
- Tulip~ Perfect Lover, Flower of Holland
- Red Tulip~Believe Me, Declaration of Love
- Variegated Tulip~Beautiful Eyes
- White Violet~ Let's Take a Chance
- Wisteria~Youth, Poetry, Steadfast
- White Zinnia~Goodness
- Yellow Zinnia ~Daily Remembrance
Happy Reading~
The top photo is of my bouquet.