With the variety of flowers out there, it's obvious that some of them have to become symbols at some point! This is why the language of flowers has established so strong that particular flowers are now associated with national traditions.
Keep reading to learn what flowers are the most appropriate present for a foreign friend or business partner and which ones can upset them!
National flower symbols
Obviously, the queen of all flowers, rose, has become a global symbol of love and romantics. But it is also the symbol of majesty in England, Bulgaria and Iran. In addition, different kinds of roses serve as state symbols, such as a wild rose in Iowa and North Dakota, and a traditional rose in New York.
Lotus, in turn, is a common sacred symbol in the eastern world (China, Japan and India). Lotus represents spirituality and shows the origins of life on earth. It also symbolizes creativity, wisdom and eternity.
Then, Iris is a symbol of Florence, Italy, and France, as well as is a state symbol of Tennessee.
Here are some other flowers that have become national symbols:
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cactus in Mexico
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lily in Scotland
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acacia in Australia.
Choosing flowers for a present
Depending on the country, the perception of a particular flower can be totally different. So knowing their meaning around the world can really save you from embarrassing yourself!
For example, in China, peony is the top choice to demonstrate your romantic feelings. It is the most favorite decoration for wedding ceremonies, and the annual peony festival proves the flower's importance for the citizens.
As for what to avoid, the most common prohibition relates to giving flowers as a present: be careful with the number of flower buds you give.
For instance, never give a bouquet of fewer than 12 flower buds in England and make sure you get an uneven number of flower buds for someone in Eastern Europe: most often, you get an even number of buds for a mourning occasion in this region.
The situation is similar in Kenya - flowers are not a common gift option since they symbolize grief and unfortunate events.
Some other restrictions on presenting flowers include staying away from:
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white flowers in Belgium
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white and blue flowers in Turkey
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white and yellow flowers in Germany (if not in combination with flowers of other colors)
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yellow flowers in France
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daffodils in Japan
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chrysanthemums in Hungary
These are usually perceived as a symbol of sadness or betrayal, so make sure you don't get these for someone. Obviously, unless you mean to deliver this kind of message!
Regardless of all the beliefs related to what kind of flowers you give to someone, flowers are an incredible present for any occasion, even if it’s just making someone’s day better. While choosing a bouquet for a present is a matter of personal preference, it's also worth being familiar with what gift might upset the person. Fortunately, our store provides a wide range of bouquets to choose from so that your present keeps the person's heart warm!
