Saying goodbye is one of the most emotional experiences a person can go through. Some people find it overwhelming for words to describe. So, instead of using your words, you can say it with flowers that mean goodbye.
Flowers are among the most common ways people bid adieu to each other. They can bring calm, relief, and even joy. There are many flowers that mean goodbye, including roses, dahlias, orchids, and daisies. These are just some of the examples.
In this article, we’ll take a look at flowers that you can use to send a message of farewell.
1. Roses
Most people associate roses with romance. Still, roses have a much deeper meaning than that.
Red roses represent love, beauty, and courage. While this may lend itself to romantic emotions, it’s not the only interpretation.
Love doesn’t always stand for romance. It could mean affection that you have for anyone, a family member, a friend, and your neighbors. This is what makes roses such a personal gift.
When you’re saying goodbye, a rose can symbolize all the love that you still carry for that person.
However, red isn’t the only color of roses you can use. If love isn’t the message you want to send, you can use yellow roses.
A yellow rose represents joy and new beginnings. For this reason, it may be the best way to say “bon voyage” to a friend.
2. Dahlia
If you’re looking for a way to say a solemn farewell, dahlias may be the way to go.
Dahlias are beautiful flowers that come with white, pink, red, or purple petals. Regardless of the color, the symbolism remains the same.
There are a few reasons why dahlias make good parting gifts.
The first is that dahlias represent wealth and strength. Thus, gifting one shows that you wish this person nothing but good luck and fortitude on their journey.
As for the second, dahlias are excellent pot plants. Not only do they look amazing, but they can also survive for years. So, it may be a great way to liven up a loved one’s new space.
Finally, people associate dahlias with the message, forever yours. For this reason, mourners like to lay these flowers next to their loved ones’ final resting place.
Read more: 9 Flowers That Represent Miscarriage
3. Orchid
Orchids are among some of the most expensive flowers. This is because finding them is a little tricky. On its own, this rarity makes them a precious gift. However, there’s more to orchids than just how they look.
In many cultures, orchids are incredibly meaningful. Depending on the color, you can say “so long” in a few different ways.
Yellow orchids are the most common for goodbyes. They represent friendship and a new beginning. For this reason, they can show how much a friend means to you before they move somewhere new.
Red orchids show strength and courage, both of which you’ll need as you come to terms with the separation.
As for blue orchids, they mean rarity. It shows that you understand how one-in-a-million the relationship was.
Still, pink and white orchids carry a more mournful message. They represent undying love for a lost loved one.
4. Daisies
Daisies have stark white petals and a bright yellow center. That combination brings back memories of spring and laying happily under the sun.
These flowers may seem like an odd choice for a sad occasion. However, daisies have strong connections to heartbreaking goodbyes.
Even though daisies are cheerful and delicate flowers, people associate them with tragedy.
Traditionally, we associated daisies with innocence and purity. In their truest form, these flowers bring joy and compassion into any space. For this reason, people used to gift them to say goodbye.
It was a way of showing that it’s always darkest before dawn.
Over the years, more and more people started using daisies to say farewell to loved ones. They lay the flowers next to their tombstone to bring cheer into a solemn space.
5. Agapanthus
The name agapanthus is Greek and roughly translates to “flower of love.” However, you may be more familiar with the common name, Lily of the Nile. No matter what you choose to call the flower, it can be an amazing way to say goodbye.
Since these flowers symbolize love, they were a favorite of star-crossed lovers. People would send agapanthus to express how deeply they felt for someone.
For many, these would become the flowers that represent a specific relationship. Both the good and the bad, agapanthus flowers encompass all. Therefore, what better way to end that chapter than with the same plant?
Gifting agapanthus as a goodbye shows that the relationship meant a lot to you. However, you’re ready to move on and start anew.
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6. Sunflowers
When you think of a sunflower, you imagine a warm summer’s day out on an open field. The imagery brings a sense of calm and happiness. This is why sunflowers represent joy and friendship.
Most people tend to shy away from joy when it comes to saying farewell. They think that allowing yourself to be happy is a betrayal to the loved one that’s no longer there. However, this doesn’t have to be the case.
Not all goodbyes are a tragic affair. Some can be full of excitement and cheer. For example, sending off a friend on a new path in life.
For occasions like that, you want to leave matters on a sweet note. Nothing says this better than sunflowers.
They can inject a little jolly into the situation while showing you value the friendship.
7. Alstroemeria
If you want to say goodbye with bold colors, alstroemeria may be the way to go. These flowers come in many bright colors like red, yellow, and purple.
Depending on the color, the symbolism behind the flowers changes slightly. However, they’re all sure to make a statement.
Overall, we associate alstroemeria with friendship, love, and devotion. We can interpret these traits in a few different ways.
The first is mutual respect. Gifting a bouquet of these flowers can show that your paths may diverge, but you still believe in each other.
Moving on to the second, alstroemeria can also stand for support. Even though you’re going your separate ways, there’s still love and safety in your relationship.
Finally, these flowers can represent patience. They can be a sort of promise that you’ll both find your way back, eventually.
8. Lily
Lilies are incredibly simple, delicate flowers. The snowy white petals drape softly around the stamen. The display can bring a sense of serenity to anyone who sees it. That’s why lilies represent purity and sincerity.
These interpretations make lilies ideal for farewells for a couple of reasons.
First off, they can signal peace. The petals can resemble a white flag asking for a truce. Gifting someone lilies can show that you no longer wish them harm.
It’s the perfect way to surrender any negative emotions and send them off with a wave.
The second reason is that people associate lilies with paradise. When you see the pure white petals on a lily, a sense of calm can wash over you. This is what people hope the afterlife is like.
While we may never know, lilies are still an excellent way to say so long.
9. Carnation
Carnations aren’t just beautiful flowers. They can also say goodbye in a few different ways.
As a part of Christian legend, many people associate carnations with the Virgin Mary. Some believe that the flowers grew from her tears as she watched Jesus on the cross. Though we can’t confirm the story, the symbolism holds true to this day.
This may be the reason carnations have such a close connection to grief and goodbyes. Gifting someone a carnation bouquet means that you’re saddened by them leaving. However, you understand that they have to go and wish them all the best.
Usually, pink carnations are the go-to for goodbyes. However, you can also gift white, red, and purple carnations. Just remember, the deeper the color, the more pain it conveys.
10. Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are lightly colorful flowers. The petals usually have a soft dusting of pigment that’s prominent, but not overwhelming. This faint color makes them ideal for mourning.
If you’re dealing with the heartache of a sudden loss, hydrangea may provide the relief you need.
The subtlety of these flowers makes them ideal for somber occasions. They add a little life to the room without being too distracting.
Hydrangeas represent grace, beauty, and gratitude. All of which can come in handy during such a hard time. Moreover, these flowers can symbolize harmony.
Sending someone off with hydrangeas shows how much they meant to you. They send a message of thankfulness, sincerity, and peace.
These flowers can also help other people cope with their loss. Gifting someone a hydrangea can show how much sympathy you have for their pain.
Wrapping Up
If words aren’t enough to express your feelings, flowers that mean goodbye may be the way to go. There are many flowers that you can use to show someone that you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
For happier goodbyes, try sunflowers or yellow roses. Otherwise, for more sorrowful occasions, go for hydrangeas or daisies.