History

• The orchid's name comes from the Greek word "orkhis," which means testicle. This was due to the appearance of the plants tuberous roots. In Greek mythology, Orkhis was the son of a nymph and a martyr who turned into a flower after he died. Dioscorides, a Greek physician in the first century A.D., wrote in his work "Materia Medica" that orchids influenced sexuality. Since then, the exotic--and erotic-looking--flower has been associated with fertility and virility. People once believed that eating orchid roots could determine the sex of their unborn children.
  
  

Flower Trifecta

• The orchid is an extremely feminine looking flower. American artist Georgia O'Keeffe is best known for her sensual paintings of flowers, many of them orchids. Because of its delicate and exotic flower, orchids represent beauty, luxury and love. If someone is thoughtful enough to give you an orchid, he must find you to be a rare and sensual beauty.
  
  

Symbolic Color

• White flowers are elegant and modest. Their pure color symbolizes innocence, humility and grace. Giving white flowers shows that you are sincere and full of hope, and that you believe that your love is pure. They represent kindness and truth. White flowers are also given or used to mark new beginnings, like on a first date or in weddings.
  
  

Vanilla Orchid

• There are more than 25,000 different types of naturally occurring species of orchids and 100,000 hybrids. The plants have long been a source of medicine, perfume, flavoring and food. Orchids have also been believed to be an aphrodisiac. One of the most popular white orchid flowers is the vanilla orchid, the source of vanilla beans. The Aztecs would look to the vanilla orchid for strength by making a drink made of vanilla and chocolate. Sweet, pure, sensual and energizing best describes the vanilla orchid.
  
  

Grace

• The graceful beauty of a white orchid should remain reserved for someone special. There are plenty of other flower choices for any day of the year, but the white orchid is for the wise, the wondrous, the most beautiful and loving person in your life. Give your mother a pink orchid, give your friend a yellow one, but save the white for the person you love the most.