The Iris can represent faith, hope, courage, wisdom and admiration. Specific flower colours attach further meanings to the pretty blooms. Purple iris brings a message of wisdom and compliments, while a bouquet of blue iris blossoms speaks of hope and faith.

In Greek mythology, Iris was a messenger from the gods who travelled to earth on a rainbow. Wherever she stepped, flowers sprang up. Iris means 'rainbow'—appropriate when bearded iris comes in a vast array of colours from pure white to purple/black—and nearly every colour in between.