Why Do We Give Flowers as Gifts? A Brief History
Flowers have been collected and shared since ancient times, appreciated for their beauty, scent, and practical uses. The long tradition of giving flowers for special occasions has evolved over the centuries, but it’s still an enduring ritual that spans all cultures. From congratulations on the birth of a baby to condolences on the loss of a loved one, sending flowers continues to be one of the most popular ways to mark the momentous events of life. It’s so popular, in fact, that the worldwide cut flowers market was over $36 billion in 2022, and is projected to go over $45 billion by 2027. Valentine’s Day continues to be the biggest flower-giving day of the year, but it is far from the only special occasion marked by this ancient ritual. Here is a look at the fascinating role flowers have played throughout human history, from the evolution of flowering plants to the booming floral industry.
The First Flowers
Around 80% of green plants are flowering plants, and the oldest flowers in the world date back to the Cretaceous Period more than 130 million years ago. Those first flowers didn’t resemble ones we know and love today: They were barely visible to the human eye and almost unrecognizable as flowers even under a microscope. The interaction between flowering plants and insects aided in the coevolution of both, with flowers developing strong fragrances, appealing colors, and larger petals to attract pollinators. It was these same traits that also appealed to the earliest human societies, which began to cultivate and use flowering plants in religious and cultural ceremonies.
The Flowers of Antiquity
Some of today’s most popular flowers for bouquets and floral arrangements were first cultivated thousands of years ago. The cultural significance of flowers has been reflected in the art and literature of ancient China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Roses, one of the most popular flowers for gifting, were first grown in gardens 5,000 years ago in China. The ancient Egyptians used flowers in religious ceremonies as offerings to the gods and the dead, decorated their war carts with flowers before going to battle, and painted and carved floral and leaf motifs into their art. The Greeks and Romans used flowers in similar ways, associating specific varieties with their gods and goddesses and using flowering plants in festivals, rituals, and for their own enjoyment.
In more recent history, cherry blossoms (sakura) have been revered in Japan since the Heian period (794–1185) and, because they bloom for only a short time in the spring, are associated with the transient nature of life. Marigolds, which have been a part of Mexican culture since the pre-Columbian era, were imported to India over 350 years ago and have become an integral part of wedding celebrations and Hindu festivals such as Diwali.
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The Victorian Era’s Flower “Language”
In Europe, the symbolic use of flowers developed in the medieval and Renaissance eras, when different flowers and flowering plants were linked to a variety of virtues and emotions. In the Victorian era of the 19th century, floriography, or the language of flowers, emerged as a way of communicating specific sentiments through the type, color, and even the arrangement of specific flowers. This form of flower code was a way of conveying one’s feelings in an era marked by restraint and discretion. Artist and writer Kate Greenaway’s Language in Flowers, published in 1884, was an indispensable floriography dictionary, providing the meanings of different flowers and their significance in bouquets and floral arrangements. For instance, if a gentleman wished to send a bouquet of flowers to his betrothed, he might include blue violets, signifying faithfulness, and white roses, meaning “I am worthy of you.”
Flower-Giving Blossoms in the 20th Century
Floristry — the cultivation, arrangement, and sale of cut flowers — developed around the mid-19th century. The Society of American Florists was established in Chicago in 1884 to advance floral artists and sales. As the 20th century began, the proliferation of floral shops and flower delivery services further popularized and commercialized the tradition of giving flowers. Mother’s Day, ranking second only to Valentine’s Day in flower-giving, became an official U.S. holiday in 1914, receiving enthusiastic support and promotion from the floral industry.
Though floriography isn’t as popular today as it was in the Victorian era, different flowers continue to carry specific meanings. Giving someone red roses still signifies feelings of love and desire, while white lilies are still considered traditional flowers in many cultures for both weddings (representing purity and new beginnings) and funerals (grief and remembrance). In a nod to the old-fashioned flower code, Kate Middleton’s 2011 wedding bouquet included white Sweet William blossoms, signifying gallantry (and referencing the groom, Prince William).
Today, flowers remain a popular gift for a wide variety of occasions, both to convey specific sentiments as well as to be enjoyed for their aesthetic beauty. With more than 15,000 retail florists in the United States alone, it is easier than ever to let someone know we’re thinking about them. Modern technology has even embraced the tradition of flower-giving with a series of floral emoji, including a rose, hibiscus, cherry blossom, sunflower, tulip, and flower bouquet. Now, “giving” flowers is as simple as dashing off a text message or writing an email, proving that the long history of flower-giving endures.
