The meaning of yellow flowers

If you’ve ever wondered what yellow flowers actually symbolise or what the most popular types of yellow flowers are, you’re in the right place! We’ll be exploring the different meanings of yellow flowers around the world, and will let you in on some fun facts about this cheerful type of flower.

What do yellow flowers mean?

Very often, different colour flowers have different meanings in all kinds of cultures. But, yellow flowers are consistently associated with happy meanings everywhere! Here are some of the most common meanings of yellow flowers:

1. Friendship

Yellow flowers have been associated with the idea of friendship for decades. With their bright and cheerful nature, they are a good way to improve someone's day and boost their positive energy. If one of your friends is going through a tough time or is just feeling a little under the weather, sending some yellow friendship flowers is sure to spark joy.

2. Joy

Speaking of…joy is another meaning that yellow flowers are known to convey. Do we even need to explain why? Whether you’re walking down the street and catch a glimpse of yellow flowers in the wild or spot some yellow flowers on display in a kitchen window, it’s bound to make you feel happier!

3. Abundance

In the Ancient Mayan culture, as yellow was the colour of corn, it was seen as a symbol of abundance, and yellow flowers were highly valued. Although many don’t think of abundance when they see yellow flowers nowadays, if you’re planning on thoroughly spoiling someone else, or even yourself, yellow flowers will make the perfect cherry on top.

4. Hope

IWe usually see plenty (or an abundance - see what we did there?) of yellow flowers during the spring and summer months as the world begins to thrive and burst into colour after winter. And so, they’re also associated with feelings of hope and happiness.

When is the best time to send yellow flowers?

Honestly, if you want to send yellow flowers to someone for any occasion, we don’t think they’d complain. They make wonderful additions to both bright bouquets and look amazing as a pop of colour in neutral bouquets too. But, they’d be extra special to send as birthday flowers since it’s such a joyful occasion or as celebration flowers for any event, no matter how big or small, like passing a driving test, a new home or overcoming a challenge. If you know someone who has just given birth, then they definitely deserve some flowers! And yellow new baby flowers are the perfect type to send if you want to send colourful flowers that are different from the usual pink or blue.

Yellow flowers are also a lovely, thoughtful gift to send to someone who’s feeling unwell. If your nan has a cold or your young niece has a tummy bug, we’re sure they’ll feel better in no time after receiving a beautiful bunch of happy yellow get well soon flowers!

The most popular types of yellow flowers

Pretty much all flowers come in all different colours - including yellow - but here are some of our favourite and the most iconic types of yellow flowers!

1. Sunflowers

When you think of a yellow flower, we bet the first one that comes to mind is the loud and showy sunflower! This absolutely iconic flower knows just how to grab everyone’s attention. We love seeing sunflowers in people’s gardens or as a show-stopping statement in summer bouquets. Representing good luck, long life and lasting happiness, they’re a great flower to have around!

2. Roses

Roses are a classic flower that’s almost always associated with romance and Valentine’s Day. But yellow roses have a completely different meaning. They symbolise friendship and joy and are great to give to your friends. They’d make the perfect flower for ‘Galentine’s Day’ if you want to make a friend feel special.

3. Marigold

As a super sturdy little flower, Marigolds symbolise determination, warmth, passion and creativity. Though some might say they’re more orange than yellow, we think they’re just yellow enough to deserve a place here! As October’s birth month flower, Marigolds are perfect to give to any October babies.

4. Daffodils

Daffodils are the ultimate spring flower - which is why they have a meaning of rebirth and new beginnings. And we always look forward to seeing them burst into life around the world every year. Daffodils are also the birth month flower for March so make sure you gift these buds of sunshine to anyone born in March!

5. Tulips

Who doesn’t love filling their homes with tulips every spring? Simple yet beautiful, they do a great job of bringing joy to everyone. And, of course, the meaning of yellow tulips is cheerfulness and hope, so what’s not to love? Apparently, even the Victorians believed that yellow tulips meant ‘there’s sunshine in your smile’, which is just the cutest thing ever.

Facts about yellow flowers

Keep reading to find out some fun and unique facts about yellow flowers that you might not have known before!

• The human eye processes the colour yellow first, so you’ll always be naturally drawn to yellow flowers.

• The rarest yellow flower is the fire lily, which features distinct yellow and red trumpet-shaped petals.

• In Chinese culture, golden yellow flowers represent royalty and wealth, and you’ll likely see a lot of them around the Chinese New Year.

• Ancient Greeks and Egyptians cherished yellow flowers as their colour was similar to the sun and gold.

• The most famous yellow flower is the Daffodil which is also the national flower of Wales.

Want to know about the other flower colours? Have a read of our pink flowers guide, red flowers guide and white flowers guide to learn everything you need to know.