Across the centuries, flowers have been associated with different cultural symbols and messages, each bloom carrying its own distinctive meaning.
From love and devotion to happiness and optimism, there’s a flower to celebrate every emotion and character attribute under the sun.
Femininity is no exception. Yes, the term means different things to different people – there isn’t a fixed set of traits that characterises all women – but there are plenty of blooms that symbolise womanhood. Roses, pink lilies, azaleas – whichever you choose, they represent femininity in all its glory.
The mimosa flower, for instance, is a symbol of International Women’s Day, a global event held on March 8th each year to celebrate women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements.
The event has been observed across Europe and the US from the early 1900s but it wasn’t until 1946 that flowers began to be linked to the occasion. In the early days Italian feminists chose mimosa as the traditional International Women’s Day flower but these days stems of every kind are handed out to honour women and the work they do.
We don’t need any excuse to gift flowers to our loved ones but if you’re looking for blooms that symbolise femininity you’ll be spoiled for choice. Here are some of our floral favourites.
Pink Roses
With their soft petals and enchanting fragrance, pink roses are commonly associated with femininity, grace and admiration. Countless writers, poets and artists have immortalised the rose in their work over the years, using this classic flower to celebrate women’s strength and beauty.
Yellow Roses
Yellow roses celebrate female friendship so they make the perfect presents for women friends. We reckon that these cheery blooms are like a ray of sunshine in a bouquet – they’re just the ticket to show how much you care. The first variety grew wild in the Middle East but by the 18th century they were popular all over the world.
Lilies
Often associated with qualities like purity, virtue and beauty, lilies are a classic choice for bridal bouquets. Their trumpet-shaped blooms and elegant stems always stand out from the crowd. In ancient times pink lilies were symbols of femininity and fertility and Greek and Roman brides threaded pink lilies through their hair in the belief that they would bring them family and fortune.
Peonies
Sweet scented and soft petalled, these elegant and graceful flowers symbolise romance, prosperity, good fortune and a happy marriage. Celebrated in Chinese culture as “the king of flowers”, peonies also signify feminine strength and sensuality.
Daisies
Unpretentious and classy, daisies symbolise fidelity and true love. In days gone by they were nicknamed “day’s eyes” because their petals close over their centres at night and open again in the morning – which is where the phrase “as fresh as a daisy” comes from. Often associated with youthful femininity, they’re a favourite choice for bridal bouquets.
Orchids
One of the world’s most ancient flowers, these exotic and sophisticated blooms are often associated with feminine mystique. They symbolise pure, valued and respected friendship so they are a wonderful gift for your women friends at any time of year. With multiple flowers on each stem, they come in a confection of colours, from winter white to deep pink. The added bonus is that these long-lasting stems are easy to care for and can cope well in centrally heated homes. So what’s not to like?
Carnations
Carnations, with their ruffled petals and spectacular colours, symbolise feminine love and fascination so they’re favourites to give to the women in your life. They're especially popular for Mother's Day, and in the USA they're the official Mother's Day flower.
Even better, these blooms are available all year round and are incredibly hardy, so as long you keep them away from direct sunlight and heat and regularly refresh their water, they can happily last up to three weeks in a vase.
Azaleas
Lush and vibrant, azalea plants are members of the rhododendron family and are popular all the year round. With clusters of funnel-shaped petals and jewel-like colours, they signify a host of meanings, from elegance and wealth to femininity and feminine beauty. When it comes to colour, you have got countless options – there are more than 10,000 varieties of azalea, with colours ranging from pinks and reds to blues and purples.
Mimosa
Italian feminists selected the mimosa as the official flower for International Women’s Day in 1946. They chose the bright yellow mimosa flower because it’s a symbol of female strength, sensitivity and sensibility. Sturdy and resilient, it’s the kind of bloom that catches the eye and puts a smile on everyone’s faces.
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