Chinese Lantern Meaning — Symbolism, Colours & Gifting
What do chinese lanterns symbolise? Their meaning in the language of flowers, colour by colour, plus when to give them — a florist's gifting guide.
Physalis, better known as Chinese lantern, produces rows of inflated papery husks that ripen to a glowing pumpkin-orange in autumn. Each lantern encloses a small round fruit, and it is the vivid, translucent casings that make the stems so distinctive. Florists love them for their warm colour and lantern-like shape in seasonal, rustic and Halloween-toned designs. They dry beautifully with no loss of colour, making them a favourite for lasting autumn and winter arrangements.
TL;DR. Chinese Lanterns stand for protection, warmth, the harvest and hidden treasure in the language of flowers. Colour shifts the message — red for love, white for purity, pink for gratitude.
What Chinese Lanterns symbolise
In the language of flowers chinese lanterns carry meanings of protection, warmth, the harvest and hidden treasure. A bouquet is never only decorative — the flower you choose, and the colour you choose it in, is a message. That is what makes chinese lanterns such a considered gift: they say something the card alone cannot.
For the botany, varieties and full profile, see the Chinese Lantern encyclopedia entry.
Chinese Lanterns by colour — what each shade says
Chinese Lanterns come in several colours, and each one tilts the meaning:
- Orange chinese lanterns — energy and enthusiasm.
- Red chinese lanterns — love and passion.
Browse arrangements and pairings by shade in the flowers by colour guide.
Chinese Lanterns in a meaningful bouquet
Meaning works best when it is intentional. Choose the colour for the message, keep the number of stems in mind (in many traditions odd numbers are for joy), and let the recipient know what the flowers say. Then give them the care they deserve — see how to keep chinese lanterns fresh — so the message lasts as long as possible.
From the Lacy Bird studio. This guide is written by our florists. We deliver seasonal flowers across the UAE — see flower delivery in Dubai — and we teach floristry, from a first bouquet to running your own shop, at the Lacy Bird Academy.
Related reading:
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