~The Symbolic Meaning of Flowers

By Darlene Zagata
People throughout various cultures and lands have been drawn to the beauty and fragrance of flowers. From ancient times until today, flowers have been used for adornment and to express intimate feelings. Flowers speak in ways that touch the human heart. In fact, flowers have a language of their own.

History

Flowers have been of special interest even in ancient times. They were thought to have healing properties and could affect the emotions. Certain flowers, such as the lotus, were considered sacred. The violet was the sacred flower of the Greek god, Ares. Flowers featured prominently in myth and legend. It is believed that the Greeks were the first to develop the language of flowers, assigning special meanings to the various flowers. Flowers were even associated with certain people and events in Biblical times. The lily, which represents chastity, is associated with the virgin Mary, as is the rose.

Significance

Flowers are often associated with spring and rebirth. They represent renewal, youth and beauty. Flowers are also symbolic of the eternal cycle of life and death. Flowers are associated with numerous occasions and events. Flowers are given on birthdays, anniversaries and holidays. They are used to celebrate joyous occasions such as weddings and also to express sympathy during sad events such as funerals. The use of flowers in events such as these signify the symbolism of flowers in the cycle of life and death.

Features

The symbolism of flowers is often determined both by color and type. When sending flowers based on symbolism, it is often easiest to choose them by color, since the list of symbolic meanings for each different type of flower can be somewhat lengthy. Generally, white is symbolic of purity and innocence. Red represents passion and love. Pink also symbolizes love as well as happiness, beauty and friendship. Yellow is associated with purity, truth and intellect whereas orange is symbolic of warmth, creativity and growth. Green also represents growth as well as hope, renewal and fertility. Blue is a symbol of peace, tranquility and healing while purple represents devotion, faith, nobility and spirituality.

Benefits

Certain flowers, such as roses, are well known for their symbolic meaning. People often give roses to express feelings of love. Flowers that have well known symbolism are often used in gift giving, get well wishes and a variety of other situations. These flowers include roses, carnations, daisies, forget-me-nots, tulips, lilacs, lillies, marigolds, orchids, zinnias and sunflowers among others. The red rose is best known for representing love, while the other colors have various symbolic meanings. Like roses, the symbolism of tulips and carnations are most often determined by their color.

Identification

Here is a listing of the most common symbolism associated with the most commonly used flowers:

Blue violet symbolizes faithfulness
Daisy symbolizes beauty and innocence
Apple blossom symbolizes hope and good fortune
Bluebell symbolizes constancy
Ivy symbolizes eternal fidelity
Mimosa symbolizes secret love
Magnolia symbolizes perseverance
Lily symbolizes majesty
Lily of the Valley symbolizes the return of happiness
Cala Lily symbolizes splendid beauty
Bellflower symbolizes gratitude
Forget-Me-Not symbolizes true love and remembrance
Marigold symbolizes affection
Orange blossom symbolizes marriage
Myrtle symbolizes love and remembrance
Baby's Breath symbolizes innocence and a pure heart
Gardenia symbolizes loveliness and untold love
Holly symbolizes domestic happiness
Orchid symbolized beauty
Sunflower symbolizes pure love
Zinnia symbolizes affection and remembrance
Iris symbolizes hope, faith, wisdom and friendship
Lilac symbolizes love particularly first love
White lilac symbolizes youthful innocence
Orchid symbolizes rare beauty
Honeysuckle symbolizes happiness
Peony symbolizes happy marriage and compassion

Types

Here are some meanings for certain flowers based on color:

Red rose is a symbol of love and passion
White rose is a symbol of purity and innocence
Pink rose is a symbol of love and happiness
Yellow rose is a symbol of infidelity
Red tulip is a symbol of perfect love
White tulip is a symbol of forgiveness
Yellow tulip is a symbol of cheerful thoughts
Purple tulip is a symbol of royalty
Red carnation symbolizes deep love and affection
White carnation symbolizes pure love and good fortune
Pink carnation symbolizes a mother's undying love
Pink hyacinth symbolizes playfulness
Purple hyacinth symbolizes sorrow
Red hyacinth symbolizes love and happiness
White hyacinth symbolizes loveliness and sorrow
Yellow hyacinth symbolizes jealousy

Considerations

People often choose flowers based on their appearance, while remaining oblivious to their symbolic meaning. While it is perfectly fine to pick flowers on their visual appeal and/or fragrant aroma it can be helpful to become familiar with their symbolic meaning so that the language of flowers can be considered when choosing particular flowers. Knowing the symbolic meaning of a loved one's favorite flower can make it even more special for both of you.

~How to Dress Like ...Kate Winslet

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By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor
Kate Winslet astonished audiences in her "Titanic" role, and continues to impress audiences with her acting prowess and smart choice of roles. Outside of her movies, Kate Winslet dresses with style and sophistication, keeping the body shape in mind.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

Have your clothes tailored. Whatever your body size, make sure the clothes you wear compliment your figure and fit well. If you have curves, show them off instead of hiding them. Kate always tries to accentuate her curvy figure whether she is wearing a dress, skirt or pants.

Step2

Invest in Christian Louboutin shoes. They may be extremely pricey, costing up to $1,000, but they look great with short and mid-length dresses. Kate Winslet favors the Christian Louboutin red sole shoes.

Step3

Wear black, but it doesn't have to be boring. Kate often wears black dresses with detailing around the bust or the hem. With effective styling, a black dress can be both innovative and simple. And, black is always slimming. Keep the jewelry simple, such as a small necklace to imitate Kate's simple look.

Step4

Break up the black dresses with the occasional pastel dress. Kate wears pale shades of blue and green with a loose hairstyle to create a soft effect.

Step5

Use a black or white jacket to finish off an outfit and make a serious impression. Kate Winslet often arrives at events in a simple jacket over a coordinating blouse. She also pairs her black or white jackets with matching pants.

~How to Dress Like ...Audrey Hepburn

By Kat , eHow Editor
Audrey Hepburn was a legendary film actress. She is also one of the most quintessential fashion icons of all time. She captivated audiences with her effortless grace and aristocratic movements. During the 1950's, a time when curvaceous starlets like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor dominated film, Hepburn stood out with tall clean lines that emphasized her slender gamine physique. Everything she wore complimented her youthful figure. Hepburn's style was simple, yet glamorous and her classic nature still influences our fashion choices today.

nstructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Little Black Dress
• Skinny Black Pants
• Ballet Flats
• Black top
• Full Skirt
• Cinched Waist Button-Up Collared Blouse
• Scarf
• Trench Coat
• Over-sized Sunglasses
• Tiara
• Pearls
• Elbow Length Gloves
• Large Floppy Hat
• Pill Box Hat
• Headbands

Step1

Be aware of your positive physical attributes, as well as your flaws. A key reason why Hepburn made such a style impact is that she was fully aware of her physique. Basically, Hepburn would never be caught dead in an outfit that didn't look absolutely fabulous. Of their first meeting, famous French couturier, Hubert de Givenchy, would later recall that "She knew exactly what she wanted. She knew perfectly her visage and her body, their fine points and their faults." Together, Hepburn and Givenchy melded an eternal style icon.

Step2

Wear a little black dress. In 1926, French fashion designer, Coco Chanel, took the LBD to the mainstream. Forthy years later, Hepburn as Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" epitomized the style. Today, the LBD remains timeless and has been toted as a vital "basic" for any woman's wardrobe.

Step3

Put on a trench coat. "Breakfast at Tiffany's" made scenes in the rain romantic. Also featured is the cinch waist trench coat, a cold weather necessity for both fictional Golightly and real-life Hepburn.

Step4

Mimic Hepburn's casual classy look. A recent Gap commercial resurrected Audrey Hepburn in the movie "Funny Face" by coupling her dancing with the song "Back in Black" by AC/DC. Decked in black skinny pants, a simple black long sleeve top, and ballet flats, Hepburn continues to influence modern fashion.

Step5

Try out Hepburn's "Roman Holiday" look. The 1953 romantic comedy introduced American audiences to Hepburn who not only received adoration, but also critical acclaim by winning an Academy Award for Best Actress. Hepburn also gained legions of fashion followers with her vacation style: a free flowing full skirt, belted waist, men's inspired cinch waist button-up collared blouse, and a dainty striped silk scarf tied around her neck.

Step6

Accessorize like Audrey. Over-sized sunglasses, tiara, pearls, and elbow length gloves are all classic accessories that Hepburn's glamorous, party girl character, Golightly, wore in "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Real-life Hepburn was occasionally seen in scarves, large floppy hats, pill box hats, and headbands.

~Restaurant and Dinner Party Manners and Etiquette

Table manners play an important part in making a favorable impression. They are visible signals of the state of our manners and therefore are essential to professional success. The point of etiquette rules is to make you feel comfortable, not uncomfortable.....





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~How to Dress Like ...Grace Kelly

By Kat , eHow Editor
Academy Award winning actress Grace Kelly was a style icon of her time. As Alfred Hitchcock's muse, she played a cool blond beauty with a regal grace and an aristocratic air. Her elegant presence and sophisticated good looks captivated viewers, while her crisp, classic style was widely emulated by women everywhere. She continued her success in film until she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco, where she retired in order to fulfill her duties as Princess Grace of Monaco. With clean lines and a tasteful style, Kelly's fashion impact will continue to influence women far into the future.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Kelly bag by Hermes or lookalike
• Ice blue satin dress
• Short evening dress
• Full-skirted floral dress
• Tailored suit
• Casual jeans
• Hats with little veils
• Low-heeled shoes
• Gloves
• Horn-rimmed glasses
• Silk chiffon scarves

Instructions

Step1

Rock the Kelly bag by Hermes or find a look-a-like. This was her most famous accessory as she was seen toting it on the cover of a magazine in 1958.

Step2

Get an ice blue satin dress. Kelly loved this dress so much, she was seen wearing it to the 1955 Academy Awards where she won Best Actress in "Country Girl." She was also previously seen donning it to a premiere of the movie and on the cover of "Life" in 1955.

Step3

Wear a full skirt. Kelly lived in an era when the full skirt was in vogue.

Step4

Get a tailored suit. Kelly's classic tailored suit was typically paired with the Kelly bag.

Step5

Get her accessories. One of Kelly's iconic accessories was the silk chiffon scarf. She also adorned hats with little veils, low heeled shoes, gloves and horn rimmed glasses.

~How to Dress Like ...Michelle Obama

By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor
Barack Obama is often compared to JFK, so it only makes sense that his wife, Michelle, would be compared to Jackie Kennedy, especially when it comes to her fashion style. Michelle Obama wears elegant suits, simple and tasteful jewelry and carries herself with feminine and quiet grace. Modeling your wardrobe after Michelle Obama will ensure that you're always well dressed no matter what the occasion.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

First make sure to get some of the shimmering lotion from your local store. Michelle Obama's skin always looks fresh and beautiful, this is likely because she uses lotion. The shimmering lotion gives you that dewy beautiful look, even when your skin is a bit dry.

Step2

Next look for boat neck blouses and dresses. These tend to be flattering and give a sexy look without bordering on too revealing.

Step3

Now make sure to get simple and classic cut outfits such as a-line skirts and dresses. These are timeless so you can spend more on quality knowing they will likely never go out of fashion.

Step4

Now grab those high heels. They instantly can make you look sexier and thinner plus help your posture.

Step5

Next grab an few floral brooches and scarves. These can be used to accentuate what you are wearing and instantly make you look put together.

Step6

Now grab some spray oil and spray it over your legs. It will give them a natural youthful shine that is much more comfortable and youthful than stockings.

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