Valentine’s Day is a day for romance, love, a day for giving your loved one something special, chocolates perhaps or an expensive shore-side dinner under a full buttermilk moon drinking Champaign to the rhythm of the sighing waves. A diamond is a perfect love token that will forever be cherished.
But flowers have a language all of their own and the floral Valentine’s Day language expresses so much. After the engagement and marriage of Prince William of Wales to Kate Middleton sapphires seem to be popular. But emeralds are a sign of enduring love and fidelity.
Should a gemstone be beyond your means and you plan a special meal at home, and chocolates are too fattening then there is a natural beauty that says more than words and in many different ways. Flowers really are the language of love.
Valentine Flowers Mean Love
Gardenias are a soft, white tropical flower native to Africa and Australasia they represent purity and sweetness and also signpost a secret love or crush. Give them that special someone you've had your eye on, but haven't yet revealed your innermost desires and feelings.
The bird of paradise gets its name from its peculiar shape. The flower is wildly colorful and has the silhouette of a regal bird with a plume of feathers on top of its head. The bird of paradise flower represent joy, happiness and grandeur. It's a celebratory flower that's ideal for a committed couple.
Lilies come in all different colours and types, each symbolising something a little different. A calla lily symbolizes majestic beauty, day lilies symbolize coquetry, simple white lilies symbolize majesty and purity and lily-of-the-valley symbolizes purity and sweetness. Stay away from orange lilies, which represent contempt.
Tulips are one of the first flowers to blossom after the long, bleak winter. This flower comes in a variety of hues, as well, and makes an ideal choice for long-standing couples who value their friendship with each other as much as their romance red tulips represent a declaration of love.
Rose the Flower that Says I Love You
The archetypical flower of love is the rose. Roses are an absolute declaration of love, affection and admiration. Red roses symbolise deep love, white roses pure and innocent love, pink roses indicate tender emotions like joy and gratitude, orange roses symbolize passion.
Even the humble white and yellow daisy is a powerful reminder of strong love, traditionally it shows loyalty in love; a simple love that's both innocent and pure.
The Orchid
The exotic orchid is an excellent pick for the refined, elegant woman in your life. It too demonstrates a deep love and commitment. In addition, it symbolizes glorious femininity, thoughtfulness and mature charm. If she has exquisite taste, you can't go wrong with an exquisite orchid.
Even though distance may separate you and your loved one it is still possible to show your love across the miles. The Internet has made expressions of love easier and quicker than ever.
Forget the bank-busting gems, the waist-expanding chocs and meals the fragrance of a carefully selected flower is sufficient to say “I love you” in many different ways.
John Howe - John Howe is a qualified nurse, lecturer and journalist, he has written extensively on health, travel and lifestyle in Asia and Europe.
