Ancient brides carried herbs instead of flowers in their bouquets to cast off evil spirits. A bride carried sage for wisdom, dill for lust and rosemary for remembrance. Rosemary would also ensure faithfulness. Brides would also carry marigolds that had been dipped in rose water. They would later eat them for their powers as an aphrodisiac.

Later flowers replaced herbs. Orange blossoms stood for happiness and fertility, ivy stood for fidelity, lilies for purity. Wheat was also used to symbolize fertility. Most often the flowers were dried and hung in the bride’s new home.

Modern brides tend to carry flowers based on color and personal preference. Some still carry flowers based on their meanings. If you would like to incorporate a little more symbolism into your bouquets, here are some widely accepted flowers and their meanings.

• Apple Blossom: promise
• Aster: contentment
• Azalea: abundance
• Baby’s Breath: festivity
• Bachelor Button: anticipation
• Black-Eyed Susan: encouragement
• Camellia: graciousness
• Carnation, Pink: gratitude
• Carnation, White: remembrance
• Chrysanthemum, White: truth
• Chrysanthemum, Red: sharing
• Daffodil: chivalry
• Daisy: innocence
• Gardenia: joy
• Geranium: comfort
• Ginger: pride
• Gladiolus: strength of character
• Holly: domestic happiness
• Hyacinth: sincerity
• Hydrangea: perseverance
• Iris: inspiration
• Ivy: fidelity
• Jasmine: grace and elegance
• Lilac: first love
• Lily, Casablanca: celebration
• Lily, Day: enthusiasm
• Marigold: desire for riches
• Nasturtium: patriotism
• Orange Blossom: fertility
• Pansy: loving thoughts
• Passion Flower: passion
• Peony: healing
• Rose, Pink: friendship
• Rose, Red: passionate love
• Rose, Red & White: unity
• Rose, White: purity
• Star of Bethlehem: hope
• Stephanotis: good luck
• Statice: success
• Sunflower: adoration
• Tulip, Pink: caring
• Tulip, Red: declaration of love
• Tulip, Yellow: hopelessly in love
• Violet: faithfulness
• Yarrow: good health
• Zinnia: thoughts of friends