Flowery Language

By: Victor Heng

Flowers are touted as the language of love. But what do different flowers signify? Lifestyle Writer Victor Heng helps guys select the perfect bouquet this Valentine’s Day. And girls, you’ll know exactly what he’s trying to say with his flowers.

STEP ONE: GET TO KNOW YOUR GIRL

It is a challenge for a guy to choose the right flowers for a girl he fancies — if he is clueless about what the girl likes. Take some time to find out more about her.

Is she allergic to flowers?
It is a Valentine’s Day nightmare come true — the moment when you thrust that painstakingly selected bouquet of flowers into her hands, and she starts sneezing and coughing in a bout of hay fever. Find out if she is allergic to flowers beforehand to prevent your floral offering from bringing the date to an early end.

What are her favourite colours?
Make a mental note of the colours she often wears, or the colours of most of her items. These will help when choosing flower colours.

How would you describe her?
Is she free spirited and slightly wild? Or is she modern and sophisticated? Knowing a bit about her personality will help you select the perfect flower for her.

STEP TWO: SAY IT WITH FLOWERS

Flowers are more than just pretty gifts; each type of flower carries a different meaning. The language of flowers, also known as “floriography”, is the symbolic communication through flower arrangements.

Roses	Roses are best known as symbols of love, passion and beauty. Each rose colour has its own symbolism: Red – the lover’s rose; signifies love and passion Pink – gratitude, appreciation and admiration Yellow – friendship and joy Orange – enthusiasm and desire Lavender – enchantment, love at first sight Best suited for: The romantic The classy
Gerberas	The sheer multitude of different kinds of gerberas makes it a flower for many occasions. They can say: “Get well soon”, “Congratulations”, or “Thank you”. Gerberas represent innocence, purity and modesty. Best suited for: The classy The modern
Tulips	Neither too flashy nor romantic, the tulip stops short of shouting those three words out loud. One of the world’s most beloved flowers, the tulip’s beauty and simplicity is used to convey perfect love. However, different tulip colours also mean different things. Red – true love Purple – royalty Yellow – cheerful thoughts and sunshine White – message of forgiveness Variegated tulips (tulip petals with multi-coloured streaks) represent beautiful eyes. Best suited for: The carefree The classy The modern
Orchids	One of the most intricately beautiful flowers, the orchid emanates a touch of exotic. These flowers have a history with the ancient Greeks as being a symbol of wealth and love. Modern interpretations link orchids with rare and delicate beauty. Best suited for: The sophisticated The modern The independent
Carnations	One of the world’s oldest cultivated flowers, carnations are easily recognised by its crinkled façade. Its scientific name, which roughly translates to “flower of love” or “flower of the gods” pays homage to a flower that has been respected for centuries. Carnations are a symbol of fascination, distinction and love. Commonly given during Mother’s Day, carnations can also make a romantic Valentine’s bouquet. Best suited for: The traditional The sweet
Hydrangea	Hydrangeas come in white, blue, pink and purple, depending on the acidity of the soil. The star-shaped flowers come packed together like pompoms and are attached to a wooden stem. These graceful flowers represent heartfelt feelings. Best suited for: The reserved The sentimental
Sunflowers	Not only are sunflowers one of the most iconic flowers in the world, they are one of the most useful as well, providing a source of oil and food. Besides practical uses, the sunflower’s petals – likened to rays of sunshine, evoke feelings of warmth and happiness. They also symbolise loyalty, adoration and longevity. Best suited for: The bubbly The carefree
Baby’s Breath	These so-called “filler flowers” are often used to accompany other bigger, showy flowers in a bouquet, but baby’s breath are good on their own too. These small flowers are symbols of happiness, everlasting love and purity of the heart. Best suited for: The reserved The gentle

STEP THREE: ASK A FLORIST

“Apple of my Eye” and “Floral Euphoria” are some names of pre-arranged bouquets sold at some florists. But perhaps, you would like to give your valentine a personalised bouquet from the heart. Here’s what you should look out for when creating a custom arrangement with your florist:

Not only does each type of flower have its own symbolism, but the number of flowers you give also has its own meaning. Roses are a classic example in this game of numbers.

1 (single stalk) –
Given on a first date, it means “love at first sight”. It also means “I still love you” and “All my devotion is in you”.

2 flowers –
Two flowers, two people in a relationship, symbolise their mutual love and affection.

3 flowers –
Each rose in this trio stands for each word in “I love you”.

10 flowers –
A nice round number of 10 flowers symbolises “Perfect Love”.

12 flowers –
A dozen flowers say: “Be mine”.

24 flowers –
Two dozen flowers say: “I am yours” or “I am thinking of you 24 hours a day”.

50 or more –
A bouquet that is seemingly limitless signifies: “A love that knows no bounds”.

Adapted from: www.teleflora.com, www.hkflorists.com, www.instructables.com (Clueless Guy Guide to Buying Flowers).