Carnation Flower Meanings by Color: Love, Rejection & Everything Between

Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus = "Flowers of the god/love") have graced occasions for 2,000+ years with their ruffled beauty, clove scent, and lasting freshness. Each color carries a distinct message.

Color Symbolism

• Light Red: Admiration, friendship.
• Bright Red: Deep love, affection.
• Pink: Mother's undying love (legend: bloomed from Virgin Mary's tears); woman's love.
• White: Pure love, innocence, faithfulness, ardent love, gratitude, good luck.
• Purple: Capriciousness (whimsical change); gifting occasions unclear.
• Yellow: Rejection, disdain, disappointment.
• Striped (hybrid): Refusal.
• Green: Dyed (placed in green water); worn on St. Patrick's Day with white.

Name Origins

• Corone (flower garland) or coronation (Greek ceremonial crowns).
• Latin carnis (flesh) for pinkish tinge, or incarnacyon (incarnation).

Cultural Significance

• Worn on Teacher's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Mother's Day.
• Official flower of Ohio.
• First wedding anniversary flower; January birth flower.

Next time you hold a carnation, remember the emotion its color conveys.