According to most accounts, the language of flowers has existed for thousands of years.

This language, formally known as floriography, has become a traditional way of selecting and arranging flowers based on the symbolism dictated by certain species of flowers. The varieties of blooms are said to convey forms, emotions or elements of life.

Probably the most common example is a big bunch of roses on Valentine's Day. Even most school children know that when they give a red rose, it represents love, while a pink one represents a lesser connection.

“Traditionally, I think that roses are still the thing (people think of first),” said Ed Bloom.

With 36 years of experience in the industry, Bloom is the owner of Bortmas, the Butler Florist, and he said the red rose is almost synonymous with the message of love, but roses in other colors are tinged with different meanings too.

A white rose can symbolize purity, innocence and sympathy. A yellow rose can stand for friendship and caring.

Bloom said the color is important when picking flowers in the traditional way.

He said white flowers for funerals is customary for some trying to convey the message of peace to the deceased and their loved ones.

Roses may be the most popular and versatile, but other flowers also hold significant meaning, carrying messages throughout religions, art, literature and many other platforms.

Flowers such as daisies, lilies and chrysanthemums became tools in various works by people such as William Shakespeare, John Steinbeck and John Singer Sargent.

Flowers in general carry deep meaning behind their pretty petals, but other forms of arrangements can carry symbolism too.

Fruit, for example.

Karen Rupp, store manager for Edible Arrangements in Cranberry Township, said their customers don't need experts to understand the meaning behind some of their arrangements.

According to Rupp, the company is know for its signature pineapple shapes.

“The Pineapple daisy is our signature shape,” she said. “Pineapple is a symbol for hospitality.”

Rupp said they can also mold pineapple into other symbolic shapes too.

“For Valentine's Day, we have arrangements made with pineapple hearts and chocolate-dipped strawberries,” Rupp said. “We also have a dove-shaped pineapple that we dip in white chocolate; the dove symbolizes peace.”

Rupp said that sometimes their arrangements are only meant to convey a message of professionalism for companies looking to make a good impression during meetings and other functions.

Rupp said they usually recommend arrangements based on what the occasion is, but sometimes customers already have made up their mind.

“A lot of times, it's about the special occasion,” she said. “I think (the meaning) is up to their interpretations.”

The popularity of arrangements of this nature is not surprising, according to Bloom.

He said in the past 10 years, he has noticed an increase in the number orders for mixed arrangements, even during Valentine's Day.

“Any more, people go for favorite colors,” Bloom said.

He said the problem some find with buying flowers traditionally is the lack of consistency. There isn't just one guide book on what flowers mean; thanks to the Internet, there's thousands of suggestions, and they all say things a little differently.

If a customer is struggling to pick a flower, Bloom said one of the first things he asks is the preference of the recipient. He said it's easier than trying to match the right flower with the right situation.

Also Bloom said there are people who also don't like certain types of flowers, and it makes it easier for himself and the customer to suit the order to the person rather than the situation. It can be much more personal and pays homage to a common adage.

“I think it's still the thought that counts,” Bloom said.