Bamboo: A symbol for longevity (it's always got green shoots) as well as strength and grace (it bends readily but doesn't break easily). In Chinese philosophy the straight stem of bamboo symbolises the path towards enlightenment, the segments of the stem being the steps along the way.
Carnation: A symbol of betrothal or engagement. In China, a carnation is a symbol of marriage.
Chrysanthemum: The national symbol of Japan, 'mums are a symbol for long life.
Clover leaf: The three divided leaves of clover (also known as shamrock or wood sorrel) represent the Christian Holy Trinity of God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The national symbol of Ireland and of Ireland's patron saint, St Patrick (his feast day is 17 March). Four-leafed clovers represent luck.
Daisy: The most basic of flowers, a white daisy is a symbol of innocence. (Free daisy stencil)
Deadly nightshade: A highly poisonous plant (Atropa belladonna) with purple bell flowers and small black berries. A symbol of deception, danger, and death.
Forget-me-not: A low-growing plant (Myosotis) with small, usually blue flowers . As the common name suggests, a symbol of a plea for remembrance. "Forget me not" are supposed to have been the last words of young man who fell into a river and drowned while picking these flowers for his lover.
Honeysuckle: A less-common symbol of love. Also of generosity.
Iris: Associated with death as Iris was a Greek goddess of the rainbow, which she used to travel down to earth with messages from the gods and to transport women's souls to the underworld. The three upright petals and three drooping sepals are symbols for faith, valour, and wisdom.
Jasmine: This strongly scented, white flower is used as a Hindu symbol for love.
Lily: Symbolises purity, chastity, and innocence. White lilies represent the purity of the Virgin Mary. The Angel Gabriel was often painted presenting Mary with a white lily when he announced to her that she would give birth to the Son of God.
Lotus: A common symbol in Asian art, the lotus symbolises birth and rebirth through the fact that the petals open when the sun comes out and close when the sun sets. Also a symbol for fertility, creation, and purity. The long stem symbolises our connection to our origins, while the flower represents the enlightenment to which we aspire.
Mistletoe: Standing under the mistletoe at Christmas gives anyone the opportunity to kiss you.
Orchid: A symbol of perfection. The spots on an orchid sometimes represent the blood of Christ.
Poppy: A symbol of death. Red poppies are a symbol of Remembrance Day (11 November), which commemorates the dead of the First and Second World Wars.
Rose: To symbolise love and passion, use red roses. For virginity and purity use white roses. To symbolise jealousy and infidelity, use yellow roses. In Catholicism, red roses are a symbol of the Virgin Mary.
Rosemary: Included in funeral wreaths as a symbol of remembrance and in wedding bouquets as a symbol for fidelity. It's said that if you touch a lover with a sprig of rosemary, they'll be faithful.
Sunflowers: As a flower which blindly follows the sun, sunflowers have become a symbol of infatuation or foolish passion.
Thistle: A thorny plant with a beautiful flower. It's thorns symbolise both evil and protection. In Christianity it represents the suffering of Christ.
Violet: Symbolise faithfulness, humility, and chastity.