Where her tears fell

Traditional meanings

For the most part, carnations express love, fascination, and distinction, though there are many variations dependent on colour.

Light red carnations represent admiration, while dark red denote deep love and affection.

White carnations represent pure love and good luck, while striped (variegated) carnations symbolise regret that a love cannot be shared.

Purple carnations indicate capriciousness. In France, it is a traditional funeral flower, given in condolence for the death of a loved one.

In France and Francophone cultures, carnations symbolize misfortune and bad luck.[citation needed]

Pink carnations have the most symbolic and historical significance. According to a Christian legend, carnations first appeared on Earth as Jesus carried the Cross. The Virgin Mary shed tears at Jesus' plight, and carnations sprang up from where her tears fell. Thus the pink carnation became the symbol of a mother's undying love.

Carnation is the birth flower for those born in the month of January.

The formal name for carnation, dianthus, comes from Greek for "heavenly flower", or the flower of Jove.