Did you know different colors of tulips have unique symbolic meanings? Use these meanings to send your Valentine a special greeting!
One day when I was working at my flower shop in Illinois, a young customer came in and asked us if we knew which flower everyone has on their face. We were a bit perplexed until she smiled and shouted out “Tulips” (two lips, get it?) I thought of that story this week when I was thinking of a catchy title for this post!
Based on my experience, men think women prefer receiving red roses at Valentine’s Day. While roses are indeed a popular choice, most of my female customer actually preferred something different, like tulips or roses that were any color but red!
With Valentine’s Day less than a month away, I thought this was the perfect time to talk about the popular flower choices and the meaning or symbolism behind the flowers and herbs that are used in bouquets. Today’s post will focus on tulips and the meanings behind the various colors.
Valentine’s Day Blog Hop
Today is even more special on the blog since I was able to join some of my favorite bloggers to bring you lots of Valentine’s Day Inspiration. You will find craft ideas, recipes and so much more! With all these amazing ideas you are bound to walk away with tons of ideas! You will find the links to all of the posts at the bottom of the page!
If you are joining me today from my friend, Cindy at Cloches and Lavender, welcome! Wasn’t her Valentine craft using a vintage graphic so pretty? I can’t wait to try making one myself!
Why Tulips?
Tulips may look like they are fragile, but they are actually quite easy to care for and are long lasting! By changing the water frequently, keeping them out of the bright sun and adding a packet of flower food, cut tulips can last up to 10 days! Trim the stems and change the water every few days. These tips apply to all cut flowers, not just tulips! Changing the water and adding flower food really helps the fresh flower bouqets last longer!
Did you know tulips are the only flower that continues to grow in height after it has been cut? Tulips are particularly sensitive to the plant hormone, auxin. This sensitivity allows the stems to elongate and also to grow towards the light. It can be fun to watch how the arrangement changes the longer it is in your home.
The Language or Symbolism of Tulips
In this post, Tussie Mussies and the Language of Flowers I shared a brief introduction into the language of herbs and flowers. Studying the meanings behind the different flowers and herbs can be a fun way to add something different to your typical floral gift! If you want to try using the language of flowers to help convey how you feel about the recipient, be sure to include a note along with the flowers to help them decode the message!
In general, the tulip represents perfect or deep love. During the Victorian age, floriography or the language of flowers really gained in popularity. Victorians used tulips to signify charity.
Similar to birth stones where each month has a different kind of jewel representing it, each wedding anniversary also has a flower associated with it. Tulips are the flower for the 11th wedding anniversary.
Tulips also symbolize rebirth since they are one of the first flowers to bloom in the Spring.
How Color Affects the Meaning of the Tulip
The color of the tulip does change the meaning of the tulip. Tulips come in 6 basic colors. There are variegated tulips also that combine two colors. Today, we will concentrate on the meanings behind the 6 basic solid colors of tulips.
Red Tulips
The color red and feelings of love and romance are often tied together. Red tulips can be used in a bouquet to symbolize passionate love and romance.
A Bouquet of White & Yellow Tulips
The color yellow is used to represent cheerfulness, joy and sunshine. Few things are more elegant than a simple white tulip. The color white symbolizes purity which is why brides traditionally wear white dresses.
White Tulips can also be used to represent respect and thankfulness.
Purple Tulips
Purple tulips are associated with grace and elegance. The color purple has long been associated with royalty.
The picture doesn’t really show how pretty these tulips are. It was the closest I had to a picture of purple tulips by themselves! These are a more pinkly purple. All of the details about how I tied them together to display in the oval dough bowl can be found here: An Understated, Yet Beautiful Way to Decorate Your Dough Bowl For Spring
Pink Tulips
Pink tulips symbolize that you care for and have feelings of affection for someone. I found these cute pink resin tulip ornaments and “planted” them in a sugar mold. To see how I made my garden “grow”, please visit this post ;Wooden These Tulips Be Cute For Spring!
Orange Tulips
Orange tulips can be used to represent a sense of understanding. They can also be used to represent appreciation.
Thank you for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about the meaning behind the various colors of tulips!
Valentine’s Blog Tour
Want to see more Valentine’s ideas? Well then, that’s great because today, you are in for a treat! The next stop on the hop is my friend, Lynne from My Family Thyme! She is sharing how to make a Valentine sign using heat transfer vinyl and a few other supplies.
❣️ 💟 💟 ❣️ More Amazing Valentine’s Inspiration ❣️ 💟 💟 ❣️
Click the links below the images to go straight to their posts. ENJOY!
Chalking Up Success // Sweet Valley Acres // A Life of Balance // Peacock Ridge Farm
❣️ 💟 💟 ❣️ 💟 💟 ❣️
Cloches & Lavender // From Farmhouse to Florida // My Family Thyme // Sonya Burgess
❣️ 💟 💟 ❣️ 💟 💟 ❣️
Design of Your Life // Saved From Salvage // Zucchini Sisters
❣️ 💟 💟 ❣️ 💟 💟 ❣️
Well, how fascinating! I did not know that the colours of tulips had hidden meanings behind them! Now I will be paying close attention the next time someone gives me tulips! 😉
Thank you, Jayne! Hopefully, the sender will know the meanings too and not send the wrong message!
I had no idea that tulips could mean so many things. I’ll keep this in mind the next time I send a bouquet of tulips. Pinned
I am glad you enjoyed reading the post! Thanks so much for organizing the hop!
Thank you so much for sharing the meanings behind the colors – it is so nice to have that information. I planted all white and pink tulips in my yard so I see that I have “pure affection” for my garden which is so true! I find the meaning of orange tulips so interesting. Thank you so much for making me a more informed flower lover! Thanks also for hopping along with me!
you are so welcome, Crystal! This was a fun post to write! As always, it was great hopping with you!
Thank you so much for sharing. I never knew that each color had a different meaning, that is so cool. Happy to have been on the hop with you.
Thank you, Sonya! It was fun hopping with you, too!
Kimberly, who knee about different color tulips and there meaning. I know rise do. I enjoyed reading the meaning behind each color.
Funny rises are my least favorite flower.
My favorite flower from stores is carnations. Most gasp but I love them.
I have bever had luck with tulips lasting very long.
I love carnations, too! They are so long lasting! Tulips like a cooler environment. Most homes are too warm for them! It was fun hopping with you!
Wow! I had no idea about the meanings of the colors of the tulips. Thank you so much. Happy hopping with you.
You are welcome, Renae! I really find the language of flowers & herbs to be so interesting! It was fun hopping with you!
Kimberly, thanks for sharing! I didn’t know the meanings or symbolism behind the different colors, very interesting! It’s been fun hopping with you.
Thanks Alicia! This was a fun hop, wasn’t it? Loved your project!
This is so interesting, Kim! I had no idea that tulips colors had different meanings. Thank you for sharing. It is always fun to hop with you. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Lynne, it is such an interesting topic, isn’t it? Glad you enjoyed it! Always fun hopping with you!
I love learning something new; thanks for sharing!
I am glad you enjoyed it! thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for the enlightenment regarding tulips, Kimberly. Who knew they have so many different meanings! It was fun hopping with you. Pinned!
You are so welcome, Rebecca! It is always fun hopping with you!
Well, I learn something new every day. I had no idea that different colors were associated with different meanings.
Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer! The topic of the language of flowers is fascinating to me!
You are so talented! I adore tulips and purple is my fave I guess since I need a ton of grace.
Happy Valentine’s Day,
Kippi
Thank you, Kippi! Happy Valentine’s Day to you,too!