Top 8 Flowers That Symbolize Family - Give Me History (2024)

If you are headed to a wedding or if you are visiting a relative who is under the weather, giving the gift of flowers is one way to show that you care with a beautiful present from nature.

Choosing flowers that symbolize family can also help to show your loved ones that you are thinking of them and that family is important to you.

When you are looking for flowers that symbolize family, it can be difficult to know where to begin, as many flowers represent other topics such as love, loss, and friendship more frequently.

However, there are a few flowers that symbolize family that stand out among the rest.

Flowers that symbolize family are: Peonies, Azalea, Roses, Daisy, Orange Blossom, Hydrangea, Crocuses, and Buttercup.

1. Peonies

Peonies are native to China, as well as various areas throughout the Mediterranean Sea.

The peony flower is derived from the word “Paeonia”, which is the actual genus of the flower.

In Greek mythology, peonies are also well-known, as the Peony actually received their name from the Greek Paeon, who was closely linked with Asclepius, a God of medicine who was known to Zeus.

For some beliefs and cultures, peonies are symbolic of a long and happy relationship, or even a lifelong marriage.

For others, peonies can be a sign of a strong family or strong and everlasting familial bonds.

In China, peonies can take on an even deeper meaning of honor, especially when an individual brings honor to their entire family.

Chinese culture takes peony flowers seriously, as they are often celebrated in many religious ceremonies and holidays throughout China as well as in many parts of the Eastern world.

They can also symbolize prosperity and wealth, ultimately also giving peonies a positive reputation.

These small, bright, dainty flowers are bright and cheery in nature, which is one of the reasons that they are so closely linked with the family.

2. Azalea

The Azalea flower comes from the Greek word “azaleos”, which can be loosely translated into “dry”.

The flowers themselves have no trouble blooming and growing in dry and arid climates, which makes their name so fitting for them.

The azalea flower is extremely unique, making it memorable for almost any occasion.

Closely related to the family of rhododendron flowers, azalea flowers are fairly delicate in nature, and may symbolize treading lightly with your relationships, both familial as well as platonic or romantic.

Azalea flowers have many different meanings across cultures, religions, and time periods.

In fact, the Azalea flower can be traced back as far as the Ottoman Empire, and it can also be found throughout the Hebrew Bible, in which the flower is often a representation of love, both romantic love as well as unconditional and platonic love.

Azalea flowers are known for remembering the fondness of others or even to show love and appreciation while taking care of close members of your family.

The azalea flower is also symbolic of temperance as well as passion, especially as it buds within a new relationship.

The flower is also known as a symbol of caring for loved ones, acquiring wealth, connecting with friends, and even missing home, which makes this an extremely suitable flower that symbolizes family.

3. Roses

While you may think that roses are exclusively reserved for the most romantic moments in life, they are also symbolic of family and unconditional love.

A white rose is known to mean respect, honor, and even peace in some instances.

A red rose can symbolize passion, which does not always have to be linked to a romantic relationship. Presenting the two colors (white and red) together can symbolize unity or it can also indicate a strong familial bond.

Pink roses, just as many other pink flowers today, represent grace, serenity, and appreciation.

Peach roses can represent eagerness, socialization, innocence, and even happiness, depending on when they are given or where they are displayed.

Blue roses, although extremely rare, can let someone know that you find them extremely special or unique.

Purple roses are often indicators of royalty and majesty and are suitable for long-term anniversary gifts.

Yellow roses, as with many yellow flowers, represent friendship and happiness, while white roses are often used to represent peace, honesty, trust, and bonding.

Because there are so many variations of roses as well as colors of roses, to some, roses represent diversity, making them a suitable flower for representing the family.

4. Daisy

Daisies are some of the most popular and stable flowers around the world today.

Did you know that daisy flowers are actually the combination of two flowers in one?

The outer petal of the daisy flower is referenced as the ray floret, while the inner center of the daisy is known as the disc floret.

As the two flowers combine to create the daisy, the daisy is a great symbol of a union and of loyalty and devotion to another romantically or to others platonically.

The daisy is known for its gastronomy and medicinal properties, as daisies can be eaten in the right circ*mstances while also being used medicinally to treat a wide range of ailments.

Some health issues daisies can tend to include everything from standard inflammation throughout the body to helping to ease coughs and treat bronchitis, especially when properly prepared in tea.

The daisy is typically used to represent purity and innocence, which is derived from an ancient Celtic legend.

The ancient Celtic legend claimed that God created daisies to plant and sprinkle around the earth for parents who had lost their own children. Hence, the daisy’s connection with family and familial bonds today.

5. Orange Blossom

The orange blossom flower, scientifically referred to as Citrus sinensis, is also known as sweet orange.

This flower is a part of a citrus tree in the Citrus genus. This flower or tree generates beautiful white buds and clusters of flowers that are commonly called orange blossoms.

The star-shaped flower appears much stronger and thicker than traditional lightweight flowers, giving it a truly unique appearance at first glance.

Additionally, the orange blossom provides fragrant citrus notes with a soapy and earthy undertone.

In ancient cultures, orange blossoms were commonly known to represent fertility.

In other locations such as China, Persia, and India, orange blossoms are commonly used to celebrate weddings, as a symbol of unity as well as fertility for the new couple.

Because orange blossoms are often used to represent unity, coming together, and even fruitfulness, it is known as a symbol of family and connection.

6. Hydrangea

Hydrangea flowers are extremely robust with an array of petals bunched together, giving a full and healthy appearance with its bright and bold intense coloring.

Hydrangea flowers can typically be found in East Asia as well as Southern parts of Asia, although they are also grown in similar regions around the world today.

The genus name Hydrangea comes from Ancient Greece. In Greek, the word “hydros” is translated to “water“, while the word “angos” is translated to “vessel”.

Essentially, the hydrangea flower is known for being a water vessel.

When it comes to symbolic meanings, the hydrangea flower symbolizes unconditional love, being grateful, and expressing honest emotions.

Because hydrangeas typically represent positive emotions surrounding those who mean the most to us in our daily lives, it is strongly associated with family and can be used as a symbol of family and togetherness.

7. Crocuses

Crocuses are flowers that can be traced back to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern languages, and are currently native to the Mediterranean, North Africa, China, Europe, Central Asia, as well as some parts of the Middle East.

Crocus flowers can bloom year-round, depending on the type of species that is planted and in what region.

Most crocuses are bright violet in color, with lighter shades of purple to help draw the petals towards the flower’s center.

These flowers have been used in herbalism, medicine, and have even been used to create dyes and spices.

Because of the crocus’ colors, the flower is often associated with royalty, loyalty, dignity, and even achieving success.

The flowers can also represent service, partnerships, and accomplishments, which is why they work well to symbolize families, especially those that work together or are close-knit.

8. Buttercup

The buttercup flower is small, dainty, and extremely bright, making it the perfect flower for summertime.

You can often find buttercup flowers growing in fields of wildflowers and daisies in the right region.

The buttercup flower belongs to the Ranunculus L genus, which contains more than 93 species in total.

Most often, buttercup flowers symbolize being organized and neat due to their own neat presentation, making them a perfect gift for someone who is averse to mess.

However, deeper meanings of buttercups include youth, optimism, rebirth/renewal, as well as a positive future, which is why some associate buttercups with family connections and relationships.

Summary

Flowers that symbolize family can be useful when planning weddings, gatherings, or even when trying to reconnect with distant relatives.

Using flowers that symbolize family will allow you to connect with loved ones on a more personal and intimate level, especially if you are gifting the flowers to those who also have a fondness for gardening and flowers.

References

• https://www.flowermeaning.com/flowers-meaning-family/
• https://www.atozflowers.com/flower-tags/family/

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