Plants in Sympathy Flower Arrangements
Analyzing Plant Meanings in the FTD Flowers Sympathy Bouquet
Nov 5, 2009
Many online florists and funeral floral delivery companies offer a variety of memorial and sympathy flower arrangements. But do the flower meanings of the components of these sympathy bouquets have any special significance? Plants and Bulbs Feature Writer, Angela England, did some research on the most common and popular funeral bouquets to share the specific flower meanings with you.
Heartfelt Memories Bouquet by Teleflora's Virtual Florist
The description says that this purple and mauve toned bouquet is “a gracious tribute at a funeral, memorial service or wake.” Here are the plants in the sympathy flower arrangement:
- Purple Gladioli – Glads represent strength of character.
- Carnation (Mauve) – A traditional funeral flower in France, the mauve version seems to symbolize dreams.
- Chrysanthemum (lavender) – "A great friend" in some sources. In the traditional Japanese meanings, chrysanthemums stand for perfection.
This bouquet may be the perfect choice to memorialize a good friend considered to be someone of high character.
Sympathy Flower Basket in White Arrangement by 800flowers.com
A large, all-white basket with snapdragons, carnations, chrysanthemums and daisies. The florist description includes, “Designed by our select florists for a sophisticated way to pay tribute to your loved one.”
- Snapdragons – While some sources have negative meanings, they all have graciousness or "gracious lady" in the meanings as well, giving snapdragons an interesting duality. Gracious is a beautiful meaning for a memorial bouquet.
- Carnations (white) – Carnations symbolize sweet love and white adds a lot of emphasis on the purity of that love.
- Chrysanthemums (white) – The white changes the meaning of chrysanthemums from "perfection" to "truth".
- Daisy (white) – Loyal love is the main meaning of white daisies.
This all-white bouquet has an emphasis on purity, graciousness and undying love so it may be a great choice for the memorial of a loved one.
The FTD Loving Remembrance Wreath
This is a large, pink-colored sympathy bouquet that would be perfect for a door hanging or graveside wreath. The description suggests, “Stargazer lilies are used to remind how special she was in this soft pink wreath.” but the meanings of the flowers themselves may suggest something else.
- Pink Lilies/Stargazer Lilies – Pink lilies seem to be associated with youth or acceptance, but stargazer lilies are mentioned on one website as meaning ambition. It was the only reference found specific to stargazers so it depends on whether you accept the more general “pink lily” symbolism.
- Pink Carnations – These stand for gratitude and can beautifully symbolize the gratitude felt for the love of the one being memorialized.
- Lavender Daises – Loyal love is the main meaning for daisies but the purple also suggests "gentleness" which may be appropriate for a child or sweet friend.
The pink tone and overall theme of youth and gentleness seems to suggest an appropriate memorial wreath for a child or young, beloved.
Of course, with any funeral or memorial bouquet the thought is the most important thing, but sometimes it's nice to take a deeper look at the meaning of the plants and flowers included in some of the most popular sympathy flower arrangements and bouquets.
 |
