The power behind a bouquet of flowers reaches far beyond visual appeal. Many popular flowers heralded for their scent, color, and shape have symbolic meanings that have lasted throughout the years. It’s called floriography, or the language of flowers, and it stems from coded messages of the Victorian era. Traditionally, different flowers have represented different sentiments, but these days there is a wide variety of interpretations.

Check out the chart below and choose your next flower bouquet for its beauty and meaning.

Amaranthus: Constancy, fidelity
Amaryllis: Pride, pastoral beauty
Anemone: Abandonment, forsakenness, sincerity, fragility
Aster: Symbol of love
Basil: Best wishes
Bell Flower (White): Gratitude
Chrysanthemum: Happiness, long life
Chrysanthemum (White): Truth
Chrysanthemum (Yellow): Secret admirer
Chrysanthemum (Red): Love
Daffodil: Respect, good fortune, chivalry, unrequited love
Daisy: Innocence, loyal love, purity
Forget-Me-Not: Faithful love and memory, true love
Gardenia: Ecstasty
Heather: Admiration
Iris: Faith, wisdom, inspiration
Ivy: Fidelity, wedded love, affection
Jasmine: Grace
Lavender: Luck, devotion
Lilac: First love
Lily: Purity, modesty, sweetness
Lily of the Valley: Renewed happiness, humility
Marjoram: Kindness, courtesy
Orchid: Love, beauty, refinement
Pansy: Loving thoughts
Peony: Happiness, good health, prosperity
Periwinkle: Happy memory
Primrose: I can’t live without you
Rose (Red): Love, desire
Rose (Pink): Grace, beauty
Rose (Yellow): Friendship
Rose (White): Purity, innocence
Rosemary: Remembrance, constancy
Sweet Pea: Departure, tender memory
Tulip: True love
Violet: Modesty, loyalty, humility
Violet (Blue): Faithfulness
Zinnia: Thoughts of friends, thoughts of absent friends

image via asya photography