Everything You Need to Know About the Meaning of the Carnation
You can recognize them by their serrated petals and their spicy scent. While they add beauty to spring bouquets, carnations carry deep symbolism shaped by the ups and downs of history. The Sessile.fr editorial team invites you to discover the hidden meaning of carnations!
The carnation: a symbol of love and freedom
A quintessentially Mediterranean flower, the carnation possesses a truly unique charm. Its elegance is such that when it was first documented in ancient Greece, it was named Dianthus—a word derived from the Greek words “dia,” meaning “god,” and “anthos,” meaning “flower.” Literally, therefore, the carnation is considered the flower of the gods. The variety most commonly used by professional florists is Dianthus caryophyllus.
A symbol of affection and passion, the carnation is a popular flower for declarations of love and expressions of affection. What is less well known is that the carnation is a powerful symbol of insurrectionary struggles in Latin countries.
- In Portugal, the red carnation symbolizes the military uprising and the liberation of the country that began on April 25, 1974, known as the Carnation Revolution.
- Because of the powerful protest movement it sparked, the carnation has become Spain’s iconic flower.
- In France, the flower is associated with the French Revolution: red carnations were worn in the buttonhole by members of the Resistance who had been sentenced to the guillotine.
Since then, the carnation has remained a powerful and undisputed symbol of resistance.
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The Meaning of the Carnation Based on Its Color
The carnation is a herbaceous plant with a woody stem and stiff, green leaves; it gets its name from its shape, which resembles an eye. If you’d like to delight a loved one with a bouquet of carnations full of emotion, discover the hidden symbolism behind each color.
The Meaning of the Red Carnation
Unsurprisingly, red is the color of passion and love. The more intense the carmine hue of your carnations, the more eloquent your declaration of love will be!
The Meaning of the Pink Carnation
Pink carnations symbolize maternal love and family. They make a wonderful giftto celebratea new birth or Mother’s Day.
The Meaning of the White Carnation
In the language of flowers, the color white is strongly associated with purity. As a result, white carnations are particularly well-suited for wedding or baby bouquets.
The Meaning of the Yellow Carnation
We tend toassociate the yellow color of petals with friendship and cheerfulness. In the case of carnations, however, yellow symbolizes rejection and disappointment.
Meaning of the Green Carnation
Oscar Wilde used to wear a green carnation in his buttonhole. Since then, the flower has become a symbol of recognition for the LGBT community.
The Meaning of the Orange Carnation
Orange carnations are the most heartfelt way to show your affection. They can be a great gift idea for a dear friend.
The Meaning of the Purple Carnation
Purple carnations have negative connotations, evoking gloom or capriciousness.
Sessile.fr's take on the meaning of carnations
Expert advice, personal service, and long-lasting flowers: there are many benefits to buying your carnations from an artisan florist!
At Sessile.fr, we’ve made it our mission to showcase the expertise and talent of artisan florists driven by their unconditional love of flowers. In contrast to the ready-made bouquets displayed in the sterile aisles of supermarkets, we invite you to step inside your local shop to pick up a bouquet of fresh, long-lasting flowers, arranged with passion.
Who are we?
Sessile champions the independence of artisan florists online. Founded in 2019 by six friends, Sessile brings together 500 florists committed to transforming the industry and enables flower delivery throughout France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. By breaking away from the traditional online catalog model, the network highlights each florist’s expertise and helps keep the art of floristry alive. Florists can pursue their passion and create more creative bouquets because they have greater freedom to offer seasonal flowers and, whenever possible, locally sourced flowers.
