20 Flowers that Symbolize Forgiveness and Say, “I’m Sorry!”
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Saying sorry can be difficult, but it’s an important part of any relationship. One way to express remorse is by giving flowers.
Not only do flowers brighten someone’s day, but they also serve as a physical symbol of your apology. Whether you’ve made a mistake or hurt someone’s feelings, a bouquet of flowers can go a long way in showing that you’re truly sorry.
In this article, we’ll explore and take a look at the 20 best flowers that are perfect for saying sorry. Let’s take a look.
1. Blue and Purple Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis)
Hyacinths come in a variety of colors, including purple and blue, and are a great option for saying sorry. These flowers symbolize forgiveness and reconciliation, making them a perfect choice for expressing remorse.
The sweet fragrance of hyacinths is also believed to soothe the senses and bring a sense of calm to the person receiving them. While any color of hyacinth can be used to say sorry, purple and blue varieties in particular can also convey feelings of remorse and a longing for peace.
2. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Lily of the valley is a great flower to say sorry. It symbolizes humility, sweetness, and a return to happiness, making it a perfect choice for expressing remorse and asking for forgiveness. Its delicate and sweet fragrance is also believed to have a soothing effect on the person receiving them.
Lily of the valley is also commonly associated with the phrase “return to happiness” which can be a perfect message to send to someone you’ve hurt. It’s an excellent choice for expressing remorse and making amends.
3. Tulips (Tulipa)
These unique, cup-shaped flowers convey several messages and can be used as apology flowers as they symbolize peace, joyfulness, forgiveness, renewal, and hope. White, pink, and yellow tulips are the most appropriate when trying to apologize sincerely. Adored for their elegance and style, these flowers are sure to get you some brownie points.
4. Pink Roses (Rosa rubiginosa)
Roses are a classic choice for saying sorry as they’re commonly associated with love and romance, but also have a deeper meaning of remorse and regret. Giving a bouquet of pink roses can be a powerful way to express your remorse and ask for forgiveness. The red color represents strong emotions such as love and passion but also can convey a sense of apology.
In some cultures, the number of roses given also holds significance, for example, a single red rose can symbolize “I’m sorry” or “Will you forgive me?”. However, it’s worth noting that the meaning of flowers can vary depending on the context and culture, so it’s always a good idea to communicate your intentions clearly.
5. Yellow Roses (Rosa hemisphaerica)
Yellow roses symbolize friendship and sending them to a friend can convey your heartfelt emotions of affection, care, unconditional love, and warmth if you’ve hurt them. By gifting yellow roses, you can show that you value your relationship and are trying your hardest to mend it. The aroma of the rose also adds to its appeal and is known to evoke feelings of calm and happiness. The bright, yellow color of the rose is also bright and will cheer up your friend in no time.
6. White Orchids (Phalaenopsis orchids)
White orchids can be a thoughtful and meaningful gift to give as a symbol of apology. The white color represents purity and innocence, which can be interpreted as a sign of remorse for any wrongdoing. Along with the gift, it’s important to also offer a heartfelt and sincere verbal apology in order to fully express your remorse and regret for your actions.
7. Pink Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus)
Pink carnations can be a meaningful gift to give as a symbol of apology. Pink carnations are traditionally associated with a mother’s love, which can be interpreted as a sign of remorse for any wrongdoing, as well as a symbol of your desire for forgiveness and a renewed relationship.
8. Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum)
The Star of Bethlehem flower, also known as Ornithogalum umbellatum, is a beautiful and unique flower that can be used to make an apology. The flower is known for its delicate white petals and its ability to open at night, which can be interpreted as a symbol of remorse for any wrongdoing and a desire for forgiveness.
However, this isn’t a very common flower so it might not be easily accessible and it’s not a traditional flower of apology like white orchids or pink carnations.
9. Ivy Flowers (Hedera helix)
Ivy is a common symbol of loyalty, friendship, and faithfulness, and can be a thoughtful gift to give as an apology.
Ivy is also known for its ability to cling and grow on other objects, which can be interpreted as a symbol of your willingness to make amends and to work hard to regain the trust of the person you have wronged.
However, Ivy is more commonly known as a foliage, not a flower. So, giving an ivy plant or an ivy leaf as a symbol of apology could be a good idea.
10. Anemones (Anemone hupehensis)
These delicate flowers with their ephemeral nature have been used to convey feelings of regret and remorse for centuries. It’s said that, in Greek Mythology, the goddess of love, Aphrodite lost her mortal lover Adonis to the claws of death, and the tears she shed turned into anemones.
Therefore, these beautiful flowers became a symbol of an apology. Each color of the flower symbolizes something different. While the red flowers represent forsaken love, white symbolizes sincerity.
11. Peonies (Paeonia)
In China, peonies represent wealth, honor, and prosperity. They’re also usually associated with embarrassment and shame, making them a fitting flower for an apology. Each color of the peony has its own meaning. For example, pink peonies represent a gentle apology, white ones signify innocence and purity, and red peonies represent love and passion. Their beautiful full blossoms also represent sincerity and remorse.
12. Columbine (Aquilegia)
These flowers with their delicate and unique appearance are commonly used as apology flowers. They come in a variety of colors and represent the sentiment of regret and remorse.
The name of this flower is derived from the Latin word ‘Columba’ meaning ’dove’ which is in essence the symbol of peace and harmony. Giving these flowers to someone relays your feelings of remorse and shows that you’re seeking to reconcile.
13. Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
These flowers, also known as wild hyacinths are the best flowers to convey an apology with their vibrant blue color and delicate bell-shaped flowers. They symbolize humility and gratitude. They’re also associated with unending love and fidelity.
According to British folklore, these are flowers of the fairy folk. If picked, they can bring bad luck to the picker or will be cursed. Therefore, when used to apologize, they also show that the person is genuine and willing to accept their mistakes. This portrays their genuine and heartfelt emotions.
14. Gardenias (GardeniaI)
These rare white flowers are sure to tug at anyone’s heartstrings when used as an apology flower. They not only symbolize honesty, sincerity, and purity but also are associated with devotion and secret love. Their sweet fragrance also adds to their charm when asking for forgiveness from a loved one and expressing sincere remorse. They are also rare making them a precious gift and also making your loved one feel special.
15. Sunflower (Helianthus)
Sunflowers are a good choice for an apology as they symbolize adoration and loyalty. They have a bright and cheerful appearance, which can help to lift the spirits of the person you are apologizing to. Additionally, Sunflowers are known for their ability to turn towards the sun, which can be seen as a symbol of someone’s ability to forgive and move forward.
16. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum)
Snapdragons have unique yet beautiful and colorful blossoms which can brighten up anyone’s day. They come in a variety of colors including, purple, pink, red, yellow, and many more. The shape of the flowers resembles the face of a dragon and symbolizes the ability to forgive and forget. It asks for the understanding and compassion of the person you are apologizing to. These flowers are a thoughtful way to express your regret.
17. Hydrangeas (Hydrangeaceae)
Hydrangeas are ideal for an apology as they symbolize heartfelt emotions and understanding. They’re also known for their full and lush appearance, which can express remorse and a willingness to make amends.
However, it’s important to note that the meaning of a flower can vary depending on the color of the petals, blue hydrangeas typically symbolize apology or regret, while pink hydrangeas symbolize gratitude and appreciation.
18. Asphodel (Asphodelus Fistulosus)
Native to the Mediterranean region, asphodel symbolizes the afterlife and peace after death. In Greek mythology, these flowers have been described and connected with the underworld and death. They’re known to be the flowers of Hades, the Greek God of death.
Asphodel was often used for mourning the loss of a loved one and used to decorate graves and tombs in Ancient Greece. They’re the perfect flower for a funeral or for the death anniversary of a loved one as they’re associated with the idea of rebirth.
19. Scarlet Geranium (Pelargonium inquinans)
Scarlet geraniums are known for their vibrant color, which can express remorse and a strong desire to right a wrong. Additionally, Geraniums are known for their ability to survive in harsh conditions, which can symbolize resilience and a commitment to overcoming a difficult situation. If you’re looking for a flower to say sorry to someone, you can always give this one a try.
20. White Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)
The white poppy is a special flower that symbolizes peace, reconciliation, and remembrance. In many cultures around the world, it’s used to commemorate and remember the sacrifices of those who lost their lives in the war. It’s a great way to express your remorse towards the other person as well as your desire to be forgiven by them.
According to Greek mythology, poppies were allegedly created by Morpheus, the God of sleep, and was also considered to be Aphrodite’s symbol as she wore a crown of white poppies on her head. This makes the flower a symbol of the desire to bring peace, forgetfulness, and healing, making it a great choice as an apology flower.
Wrapping Up
Flowers are a tried and tested method to express remorse and a desire for forgiveness. As seen in this article, there are different flowers that are appropriate for different kinds of apologies. So, it’s good to apologize for using flowers that are ideal for the circumstance.
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