I am a believer that events do not just happen because it needs to happen, instead events happened because of a certain purpose. We never say that we have no idea about something we do because we have to be knowledgeable about it in the first place. We are accountable about it, aren't we? With a single word, activity, language, or a gift that you give to a person, soon meanings about it will be generated. And when do meanings become important? Meaning about things becomes a big deal when we are dealing with people with different cultures. 

Flowers have been around us for so many years. It has been a way of appreciation, a love to tell, a sign of friendship, and whatnot. But today, since March is remarked as International Foreign Language Month, allow me share with you the shocking meanings of giving flowers in the following 6 countries. Allow yourself to learn what could be the meaning of receiving such flowers or giving such flowers. Be engaged on how a certain culture differs or resembles one another. 

Floriography and the Reason Why We Give Flowers 

Floriography is none other than the language of flowers. Many years ago, expressing emotions to one another was prohibited. People think that it is not polite, unethical, and inappropriate if someone directly tells his personal feelings to someone. And so, their feelings -love, sympathy, remorse, appreciation, and other strong emotions that could not be spoken freely were then done through giving flowers. Indeed, during those times, giving flowers is a form of communication, a creative way of expressing someone’s emotions. 

The Victorian Age gave Floriagraphy its way to have official meanings on flowers. It gave flowers different symbolism and meanings to consider. 

Giving Flowers Meanings In Countries 

Japan 

In Japan, flower giving is closely associated with tradition. Aside from social events like birthday, anniversary, housewarming, graduation, and births, wherein giving flowers is a thing to consider, it is also regarded as social obligation. As for instance whenever a person comes from a trip, the person is expected to bring home gifts or Omiyage to the people close to him, and that could be flowers. It is also important to understand that the color of the flower greatly affects the meaning of your message. When someone is sick or if someone is in the hospital, it is customary to give him floral gifts, but never try to give someone who is in the hospital potted plants, or those with roots because it could mean that you want the sickness to worsen. 

In Japan, if you want to express romance, give them red roses. Red carnations are usually given to mothers. White flowers are for mourning, Bluebells are used to express gratitude, while Sunflower is used for adoration and loyalty. 

China 

In China, giving gifts is an activity that helps them to maintain a positive relationship towards one another. Gift-giving is associated with being hospitable, love, responsible, gratitude, and friendship. And not just that even flowers have meanings. For instance, White flowers and Chrysanthemums are used for mourning, Sunflowers and Carnations are given to show respect and to show gratitude, Roses are for deep love for someone (romantically), Tulips are given to show adoration or as a sign of appreciating someone’s intelligence. Peonies and Dahlias are given to elders to show honor, and give a friend a Bamboo to wish him for financial success. 

Egypt 

Back to the old days, gift-giving is popular in Egypt. It was then a way to express them glory. Though gift-giving is not as extravagant as today, it is still their culture to give something whenever visiting someone in their house, which should be wrapped at all times, and the receiver must open it at a later time unless perishable. While flowers have meanings to consider. For instance, roses means that someone who truly loves must also be willing to accept their friends or those around them as well. 

For Egytpian funeral and wedding, certain considerations must be looked at. For a funeral, it is common to use bright colors to reflect the personality of the loved one. It felt like special when you send a floral arrangement after a week of the funeral because it means that you think about their loss. For weddings, flowers that are popular in Egypt are used as a gift, such as cornflowers, water lilies, iris, roses, and chrysanthemums. 

Ghana 

Unlike the above countries, Ghana's culture about gift-giving is somewhat different. In Ghana, giving gifts is voluntary, and is said that more than the monetary value of the gift (when there is), someone looks at the thought of giving. However, when it comes to flowers, it is their form of welcoming, while there are still other meanings to consider. For instance, when someone is making a life change or a sense of rebirth, Daffodils could be given to them. To show love and passion, give them red roses. To signify joy, give them yellow roses. To show cheerfulness, give them daisies. If you want to show that you appreciate great beauty (best for wife and girlfriend), give them Calla lilies. For loyalty and longevity, give them sunflowers. 

Russia 

In Russia, flowers usually mean love. A boyfriend is expected to give flowers to their girlfriend for dates and special occasions. However, he must be careful to count the flowers when giving bouquets. It must be odd numbered, because even numbered bouquets are for funerals. The kind of flowers to give to someone in Russia must be noted through this. During the first date, give the girl a single rose, or large daisy. For giving flowers to young women, it is nice to give them subtle floral colors (white, pink, light blue). Yellow, orange, and white flowers can be given to anyone. However, keep in mind that never give a yellow flower to your partner because it indicates breakup. To show love, give them a red flower. It is nice to give old women potted plants. 

France 

In French culture, flowers have more different meanings. For instance, choose a pink rose as a safe hostess gift. When giving flowers in a bouquet, make sure that the flowers are in odd numbers, but not 13. Avoid giving red carnations for they mean ill will. Only give the red rose for the one you are truly in love with. When you are in a relationship, never give your partner yellow floral bouquets for they imply unfaithfulness. During funerals, give chrysanthemums and lilies, and the white flower is given during weddings. 

It is amazing to know that the same flowers have different meanings in every country. One must really be careful when giving, and must learn the culture of the country he is in to avoid misunderstandings. With all these, we now know that flowers have something to stand for, and since we know what these flowers mean to a certain culture, we may be able to survive a communication in a cross cultural setting.