What does an orchid represent?

Orchids have represented several attributes over thousands of years, but in modern times the exotic blossoms represent rare and delicate beauty. Several orchid varieties have their own symbolism, including pink orchids, which represent pure affection, and catteyla orchids, which convey mature charm.

Orchids were prized in ancient Greece because they were believed to enhance virility in men. Greeks also believed that eating orchids was instrumental in determining a baby's gender. Men ate orchid tubers to get their women pregnant with a boy while women ate them if the couple desired a baby girl. In 19th-century England, rare tropical orchids came to symbolize luxury.