What Orchids and Their Colors Symbolize

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Learn what orchids mean in different cultures

Co-authored by Stina Garbis and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: April 15, 2025 Fact Checked

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Symbolism & Meanings

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Color Meanings

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Cultural Meanings

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Orchid Uses

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Fun Facts

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Plant Care

Orchids are gorgeous, exotic flowers that make any space look more elegant, but did you know they hold special meanings? Orchids symbolize love, fertility, and strength. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about orchids’ spiritual meanings, including general symbolism, color meanings, and what orchids mean in different cultures. Plus, learn fun facts about these gorgeous plants, including their uses and how to care for them.

What do orchids mean?

In general, orchids symbolize love, fertility, and beauty because of their unique shape and vibrant colors. Because orchids were once rare and hard to cultivate, they also represent luxury and wealth. Additionally, they symbolize strength because of their ability to grow in many environments.

Section 1 of 6:

Orchid Symbolism & Meanings

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Orchids are often associated with love and affection and are often given as romantic gestures.^{[1]
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Research source} Their vibrant colors evoke feelings of admiration and desire, and they’ve historically been associated with fertility, making them the perfect flower to symbolize passion.
In the Victorian era, wealthy and royal families loved to decorate their homes with orchids. Because of this, along with their rarity and difficulty in cultivation, orchids are still associated with wealth and luxury today.^{[2]
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Research source} They’re often included in extravagant, high-end floral arrangements and decorations.

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Because of their intricate designs, vibrant colors, and the symmetry of the flower to its stems and leaves, orchids are widely associated with beauty. Their delicate and exotic appearance evokes feelings of sophistication and elegance.^{[3]
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Though they look delicate, orchids are resilient and can grow in various environments. Because of this, they often symbolize strength and determination. The Aztecs also believed that orchids possessed strength-enhancing properties and mixed them with chocolate for healing and preventative properties.^{[4]
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The name “orchid” comes from the ancient Greek “orkhis,” meaning “testicle.” The flower was named such because its roots resemble male reproductive organs. Because of this, orchids have long been associated with fertility and growing families.^{[5]
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Section 2 of 6:

What Different Color Orchids Mean

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While some blue orchids are real, many are dyed because it is rare to find them in nature. Because of this, blue orchids are symbols of uniqueness, beauty, and rarity. They’re also sometimes associated with spirituality, as blue is sometimes a symbol of divinity and the heavens because it’s the color of the sky.^{[6]
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According to legend, the Aztecs used to drink a mixture of chocolate and orchids to enhance their strength. Because of this, red orchids often represent power, determination, courage, and perseverance. Red is also associated with love and passion, so these brightly colored blooms also represent desire and make a great gift for someone you love.^{[7]
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The color pink is associated with femininity, love, and innocence.^{[8]
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Research source} Pink orchids are sweet blooms that symbolize innocence, happiness, and fertility. These flowers are often given to expectant and new mothers at baby showers and baptisms, as well as to couples at their wedding to symbolize the start of a growing family.
Because the color white symbolizes purity, white orchids often represent innocence. They’re also associated with faith, humility, safety, elegance, and beauty. These pale blooms are often included in wedding bouquets and displayed in places of worship.^{[9]
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Historically, purple has been associated with wealth and royalty.^{[10]
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Research source} Even now, purple orchids symbolize dignity, authority, and regality because of these connotations. They’re often used to express admiration and respect.
Yellow is a bright color that symbolizes happiness, joy, and strength. Yellow orchids also convey friendship, warmth, and well-wishes. They’re frequently given as gifts to congratulate or wish someone luck.^{[11]
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Orange represents creativity, excitement, and success. Orange orchids are frequently associated with enthusiasm, boldness, and pride. These lively blossoms are often given as gifts to celebrate promotions, graduations, and any other new and exciting adventures.^{[12]
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The color green has long been associated with good luck and fortune. Therefore, green orchids symbolize luck, positivity, good health, longevity, and nature. According to Japanese culture, keeping a green orchid in your home or office will promote good luck in your life and career.^{[13]
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Though black orchids aren’t truly black (they’re really a deep red or purple), they hold many of the same meanings as the color black: mystery, power, and sophistication.^{[14]
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Research source} They also express strength, determination, and authority.

Section 3 of 6:

Orchid Meanings Around the World

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In parts of Asia, orchids represent beauty and elegance. In China, orchids are associated with beauty, good taste, wealth, respect, and admiration.^{[15]
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Research source} Confucius was even said to be particularly fond of orchids, referencing them several times in his work. The Japanese hold similar beliefs, associating the flowers with purity, elegance, wealth, and power.
- In Japan, the Neofinetia falcata, known as the wind orchid or the samurai orchid, was seen as a symbol of bravery and peace by the samurai.
As mentioned above, the term “orchid” comes from “orkhis,” the ancient Greek word for testicles.^{[16]
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Research source} Because of this, many ancient Greeks believed men could eat the tubers of certain orchid species to increase their potency and sex drive. They also believed orchids could determine the sex of a child. Men would eat large tubers if they wanted a boy, and women would eat small tubers if they wanted a girl.
According to legend, the ancient Aztecs believed orchids (especially vanilla orchids) had strength-enhancing properties. They would mix orchids with cocoa to create an elixir that, when consumed, was believed to promote strength and courage in battle.^{[17]
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Most orchids are native to tropical countries, so they were rare and hard to cultivate in Victorian England. Because of this, only the rich could afford to grow and decorate their homes with orchids. The flowers were, therefore, a symbol of wealth and luxury. According to floriography, the Victorian flower language, orchids were given to someone as a message of love or to tell a woman she was beautiful.^{[18]
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While orchids are not directly mentioned in the Bible, many Christians interpret them as symbols of innocence, purity, and spiritual enlightenment. This is especially true for white orchids, as the color has traditionally been associated with purity. Some Christians also believe the spots on some orchids symbolize the blood of Christ.^{[19]
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Section 4 of 6:

Uses for Orchids

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Orchids make great gifts for many occasions. Send them to your partner as a symbol of your love and devotion, give them to an expectant mother as a symbol of fertility, or give them to someone celebrating an achievement, like a promotion. Consider the orchid’s color, as well, as these flowers hold additional meanings depending on the color of their blooms.
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Orchids are used in traditional medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine, orchids were used in tea to treat many ailments, from bad eyesight to cancer.^{[20]
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The Smithsonian Institution
Leading group of museums and research institution funded by the U.S. government

Go to source} In Taiwan, Korea, and Japan, the Dendrobium orchid has been used to treat stomachaches and night sweats. In America, vanilla orchids were once used to treat hysteria, fever, and impotence. Other types of orchids were used to treat wounds and sunstroke and for sedation.
- Today, scientists are studying orchids for their potential use in treatment of cancer. A compound extracted from one type of orchid could potentially be used for prostate cancer.
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Orchids produce vanilla. The vanilla bean is actually the seed pod of the vanilla orchid, which is the only type of orchid to produce edible fruit. The vanilla bean is used in baking, perfume, and, of course, to make vanilla ice cream.^{[21]
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- The vanilla bean isn’t the only edible part of the orchid. In the Middle East, some cultures grind up orchid tubers to make a powder called salep. This powder is combined with milk and sugar to make warm drinks and is used in some desserts, like Turkish Delight.
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Orchids are being studied for their use in bioremediation. Bioremediation is the process of using living organisms to remove and repair environmental damage. Orchids possess the unique ability to absorb heavy metals and other toxins from the air, soil, and water. Researchers hope they can be used to remove pollution from contaminated areas.^{[22]
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Science Direct
Online archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topics

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Orchids promote luxury in certain businesses. Because they’re exotic and rare, orchids are highly sought after all around the world. Many 5-star hotels, airport lounges, and high-end restaurants display orchids in their lobbies to promote feelings of wealth and luxury. They’re also popular with florists, and many people choose to decorate with them in their homes.^{[23]
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- There is also a big industry for hybrid orchids which are created by cross-breeding natural species. Thailand and Singapore are well known for creating and exporting these flowers.
- The most expensive orchid ever sold was the Shenzhen Nongke Orchid, which was created by scientists after 8 years of research. It reportedly sold for approximately $180,000 USD per flower.

Section 5 of 6:

Orchid Fun Facts

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Orchids are one of the oldest flowering plants in the world. Orchids are believed to have existed for over 100 million years, making them one of the oldest flowering plants in existence. They also belong to the Orchidaceae family, which is one of the largest families of flowering plants. There are currently over 25,000 different species of orchids.^{[24]
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Orchids grow on every continent except Antarctica. Most orchids grow in tropical conditions and rainforests, but they can bloom in many different conditions.^{[25]
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Research source} South America and Asia have the most diversity, each boasting thousands of orchid species.
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Many orchids are epiphytes. This means they grow on the surface of other plants or trees. They get their nutrients from the air and rain rather than the soil and have symbiotic relationships with the plants they grow on. Other types of orchids are terrestrial, meaning they grow out of the ground, and some are lithophytes, meaning they grow on the surface of rocks.^{[26]
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Section 6 of 6:

Caring for Orchids

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Grow orchids in bright, indirect sunlight. If you’re growing orchids, make sure you don’t plant them in direct, overhead sunlight. Too much sun will scorch their leaves, while too little will prevent them from blooming. Most varieties thrive in 6-8 hours of indirect sunlight each day.^{[27]
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Water them frequently and keep them in a humid environment. Water your orchids regularly, soaking the roots completely. Allow the soil to dry thoroughly before watering again to prevent root rot. Additionally, mist your orchids with water a few times a week to help keep their leaves healthy. Keep them in a humid environment, like the bathroom, or use a humidifier.^{[28]
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Fertilize every 2 weeks during the growing season. Choose a fertilizer formulated for orchids and follow the instructions on the label to apply it properly. In general, orchids need to be fertilized every 2 weeks during their growing season, then once a month or less during their dormant period.^{[29]
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Repot orchids every 1-2 years. Repot your orchid when it’s crowded and outgrowing its pot, or once every 1-2 years. When repotting, use fresh, well-draining potting mix and choose a pot that’s 1-2 inches larger than the previous one. Be careful not to damage the roots when you move the plant.^{[30]
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Display cut orchids for up to 21 days. In general, cut orchids can last about 21 days with proper care. For the best results, trim the stems at an angle so the flowers absorb water better. Remove any foliage that will sit below the waterline and add about a cup of water to a vase. Change the water every 2 days or so to prevent bacteria, and add flower food to keep your orchids looking lively.^{[31]
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