The language of flowers: what does the flower in your candle symbolise?

22 Apr

If you’re not sure which pressed flower candle you’d like to order, it’s worth considering what the different flowers in each candle symbolise. Alongside the engraving that’s available to add onto the underside of the wooden lid that comes with every candle, understanding the language of flowers means you can make sure you’re sending the perfect gift!

Flower symbolism is centuries old, whether you’re gifting flowers for Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, a birthday or in sympathy, you can express various sentiments with different flowers. For the candle lovers in your life, a pressed flower scented candle is the perfect gift to share a range of emotions - that you’re thinking of someone, thankfulness, grateful for a friendship, expressing love, congratulating new beginnings and many more!

Take a look at the guide below for the different flowers and they’re meanings:

Forget-me-not - It says it in the name of the flower, forget-me-nots are perfect for symbolising remembrance, making ‘The Forget-Me-Not Candle’ a sentimental way to remember a loved one lost or memorialise a special time, memory or event such as a wedding. The delicate blue flowers also symbolise true love and respect.
Geranium - Symbolising friendship, good health and happiness, Geraniums are often given as housewarming gifts for their cheerful quality. In many cultures, they also represent affection and loyalty, so gifting someone a Geranium can be seen as a gesture of appreciation and gratitude to someone that means a lot to you - a sign that you really value the friendship you have with them. The geraniums used in ‘The Friendship Candle’ are pink/purple in colour which are also particularly associated with the bond of friendship, representing a sincere, sweet and tender connection.
Tundra Rose - Tundra Roses (also known by the unusual name of shrubby cinquefoil!) are known for their small five-petaled yellow flowers. In many cultures, the flowers symbolise resilience and endurance as well as hope, courage and inspiration. The shrubs ability to flourish even in challenging conditions made it a popular symbol for overcoming adversity. This is why the pressed flower candle featuring Tundra Roses is called ‘The Hope Candle’ and is the perfect gift for loved ones who are going through a hard time and in need of some encouragement and support, knowing that you’re thinking of them.
Cosmos - The word "cosmos" and the cosmos flowers derive their meaning from the Greek word "kosmos," which signifies "order," "harmonious arrangement," or "the universe". Based on this, cosmos flowers symbolise order, harmony and balance. Cosmoses also represent peace, tranquillity, innocence, modesty and joy. In the Victorian era, when floriography was at its height, cosmos flowers symbolised joy in love and in life. Cosmos flowers are also traditionally gifted for a second wedding anniversary, as they symbolise the joy of a stable relationship, making ‘The Cosmos Candle’ a perfect anniversary gift! Cosmos is also a birth flower for October, so the candle can be gifted to any Libra or Scorpio in your life.
Astrantia - The Astrantia flower symbolises strength and bravery. The name of the star-shaped flower is derived from the Latin word ‘Astrum’, which simply translates to star. ‘The Star Candle’ is an ideal gift for letting someone know you’re behind them all the way, whether they’re studying for an exam, bravely going through a difficult time, or have just achieved something extraordinary!
Love-in-a-mist - Also known as Nigella, these pretty white or blue flowers are known to symbolise romance and harmonious love. The delicate structure of the enchanting blooms have made it a symbol of love's fragile and transient nature. In Victorian England, this flower was often included in bouquets to convey feelings of affection and romance. ‘The Love-in-a-Mist Candle’ is a popular gifting choice for weddings, anniversaries or Valentine’s Day due to its romantic connotations. The unique petals and lacy bracts in the flower also bring an air of elegance and tenderness, making it a beautiful candle to display in the home.
Lavender - Lavender flowers known for their calming fragrance and vibrant purple hues can represent a lot of different things, but most prominently refinement, grace and elegance. Lavender is also a significant symbol within the LGBTQ+ community and can be seen to symbolise pride, resistance and empowerment. If someone is going through a challenging time, ‘The Lavender Candle’ can be a thoughtful way to show your support, coupled with the soothing, calming scent of Lavender essential oil.
Hydrangea - Hydrangea flowers can have lots of different meanings however generally they represent heartfelt emotion, gratitude, and deep understanding. ‘The Gratitude Candle’ can be an ideal gift for many occasions, particularly those involving celebration, thankfulness, or showing appreciation.
Bistort - Often associated with resilience, endurance, and adaptation. The delicate pink flowers have the ability to thrive in harsh environments, such as alpine areas, which has led to its symbolic representation of overcoming adversity and the strength of nature. Bistort is generally regarded as a protective plant that guards against harm and misfortune. Similarly to ‘The Hope Candle’, ‘The Bistort Candle’ can be a good gift for anyone going through a hard time that needs to be sent some strength, protection and encouragement.
Calendula - also known as Marigold, the bright orange/yellow flowers symbolise happiness, joy and new beginnings whilst also being associated with magic and the sun's energy. Therefore, ‘The Calendula Candle’ is a wonderful gift for new parents, new homeowners, someone starting a new job or for anyone having a fresh start for any reason! Calendula flowers are also known to represent sympathy whilst helping to bring some joy into someone’s life who is going through a tough time.
Hellebore - This elegant winter flower symbolises serenity, tranquillity and peace. ‘The Hellebore Candle’ is a wonderful gift to give over the gloomy, winter season, lighting up dark days with the star-shaped flower, however there is no reason why it can’t be given at any time of year to bring peace into someone’s home.
Primrose - These vibrant flowers represent youth, new beginnings and young love due to their early spring bloom, whilst also being associated with kindness. ‘The Primrose Candle’ is ideal for someone in need of a fresh start, and as it’s one of the first flowers to appear in Spring, it is also a February birth flower so can be a great gift for any Aquarius or Pisces in your life!
Viola/Pansy - The Viola or Pansy is Shakespeare’s favourite flower, symbolising love, innocence, faithfulness or modesty. The delicate nature of the flower and its tendency to thrive in shaded areas contribute to these meanings, evoking a sense of quiet beauty and discretion. In Victorian England, pansies were used to express romantic feelings, and gifting them was a popular way to convey affection. However, in modern use, while still associated with love, pansies can also be gifted as a token of friendship, to show you're thinking of someone, or as a general expression of thoughtfulness.