Flowers That Symbolize Grief: Don't Give Them as Gifts!

Flowers are often seen as symbols of life and beauty, but not every type of flower carries a positive meaning. Some flowers instead represent grief, sorrow and loss, and these are commonly known as grief flowers.

Grief flowers are flowers given as an expression of condolence for the loss of a loved one. They are usually used at funeral ceremonies and given to family members or relatives who are grieving. But did you know that several types of flowers symbolize mourning?

Flowers That Symbolize Grief

The following flowers are known to symbolize grief:

1. Red Spider Lily and White Lily

The first flower that symbolizes grief is the red spider lily also commonly called higanbana, and the lily white.

The lily is one of the flowers considered to bring good fortune according to feng shui. For this reason, it is a favorite of many people, apart from its beautiful charm.

The red spider lily was once used to keep wild animals from preying on newly deceased bodies, because the flower contains a strong poison. Today, however, it is used as an offering for family members who have passed away.

Many people even plant this flower in several cemeteries, which is why it has become one of the symbols of grief.

Like the red spiderlily, the white lily also symbolizes something negative, namely grief. This is because the white lily is among the most commonly used flowers during funeral processions. So it is best to avoid giving a white lily when presenting flowers to someone dear to you.

2. Frangipani

Who doesn't know the frangipani, one of the flowers you often find in cemeteries? According to the book The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories by R. Lee, the frangipani, with the Latin name Plumeria is closely associated with cemeteries.

For this reason, people in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines often plant frangipani around cemetery grounds. People even sometimes bring this flower when visiting a graveyard.

Beyond that, the frangipani flowers and branches are also often used as markers for a grave. There is even a myth that the frangipani is the reincarnation of a maiden who accompanied her lover after he died.

3. Carnation

Another flower that symbolizes grief is the white carnation. In reality, though, many people are unaware of this. As a result, it is still often given as a gift or present to mothers on Mother's Day.

However, you should know that not all carnations symbolize grief. For example, pink and red carnations symbolize love, so they can be given to mothers who are still alive.

White carnations, on the other hand, are best used to pay respects to a mother who has passed away. This flower can also be sent when someone is unable to attend a funeral service.

To make it easier for you to send white carnations on the day your family or closest relatives are grieving, there are many funeral services that can help, such as Kamboja can help place this type of flower at the cemetery. It's easy too: simply contact Kamboja's contact to discuss further.

4. Marigold

Who would have thought that the marigold also symbolizes grief? However, not every country associates this flower with sorrow. The symbolism of this flower comes from abroad, specifically from the traditions of Central and South America.

One reason this flower is among those that symbolize grief and respect for the deceased is that its petals and florets fold up when the sun sets.

5. Orchid

The orchid is a beautiful ornamental plant, often priced quite high, and is a popular choice for many people. Yet who would have thought that this orchid, so often displayed in homes, carries a meaning of grief?

For example, the dendrobium and phalaenopsis orchids, which come in shades of pink and white, are commonly used to express sympathy for someone who has lost a loved one.

For this reason, giving these orchids as a gift may be seen as very inauspicious in some cultures.

So avoid giving this type of flower as a gift, especially to someone you care about. You can give other kinds of orchids as gifts instead.

6. Black Rose

This flower is well known for representing feelings of grief. In fact, the black rose is recognized around the world as a negative symbol.

The negative meanings it carries include the loss of life, hatred, and tragic romance. For this reason, it is also often described as a flower that brings no benefit to those who receive it.

Avoid giving black roses to loved ones, especially on happy occasions or special days.

7. White Hydrangea

The hydrangea, also commonly called hydrangea is known for its beauty and is often used to decorate homes. There are many varieties of this flower in a range of colors, such as pink, blue, purple, and white.

Each color of this flower has its own meaning. Pink symbolizes love and marriage, blue symbolizes regret, purple symbolizes wealth, and white symbolizes a state of mourning.

For that reason, white flowers should not be used as gifts. Especially if you give them to someone you love, they may misunderstand your intention.

8. Chrysanthemum

The chrysanthemum is one of the beautiful flowers, available in many colors such as pink, purple, and white. While the flowers discussed earlier each carry a different meaning depending on their color, this one is different.

Most of these flowers symbolize mourning and sadness. Pink and purple chrysanthemums represent grief in parts of Europe and Asia, while white chrysanthemums symbolize sorrow. That is why they are often given as gifts when news of a loss is shared.

Not only that, these flowers are also often found at graves, because many people bring them as a sign of respect for the deceased. For this reason, they have earned the name "flowers of mourning," so it would be quite strange to give them to a loved one as a gift.

Did You Know Which Flowers Symbolize Mourning?

Now that you know these 8 flowers, you can use this as a guide the next time you buy a floral arrangement for someone dear to you. On Demand Service funeral service is the best funeral service that can help you arrange a funeral, including organizing floral arrangements.