Wedding Anniversary Gifts: the symbols, the gemstones and the flowers

  • Sol Rivero

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and with so much love in the air it’s not surprising that some married couples will be celebrating their anniversaries on February 14th. But, did you know each year is represented by a traditional item?

Whether you’re celebrating your wedding anniversary around this date, or if you’re storing this information for the future, we give you a comprehensive list of the traditional gifts you should consider. Here are the symbols, the gemstones and the flowers that represent each year of married bliss!

 

Wedding Anniversary Gifts: The Symbols

Since the days of the Roman Empire, it has been traditional for couples to give presents to each other to commemorate the anniversary of their marriage. Although it’s more common to celebrate each 10-year interval, numerous dates and contemporary items have been added to the traditional wedding anniversary gifts, and it’s become customary for friends and family members to deliver gifts to the couple.   

Each year, an item from a different material must be received by the lovers, representing the strengthening evolution of their relationship. Here are the essential symbols that represent each year of marriage:

 

Year

Traditional material

Modern material

1

Paper (novelty, fragility)

Clock

2

Cotton (unity, strength, softness, flexibility)

China

3

Leather (protection, stability)

Crystal

4

Fruits and flowers (renewal, blossoming) or linen and silk

Appliances

5

Wood (strength, wisdom)

Silverware

6

Candy (sweetness, rekindled passion) or Iron (strength, good luck)

Wood

7

Copper and wool (warmth, comfort)

Desk set

8

Bronze (progressive strength, union) or salt

Linens and lace

9

Pottery or willow (sculpting due to experience, emerging beauty), copper

Leather

10

Tin (longevity) or Aluminum

Diamond

11

Steel (permanence)

Fashion jewelry

12

Silk (enjoyment, luxury)

Pearls or colored gems

13

Lace (perfect love)

Textiles

14

Ivory (purity, romance, fidelity)

Gold

15

Crystal (sacrifice, clarity)

Watches

16

 

Silver hollowware

17

 

Furniture

18

 

Porcelain

19

 

Bronze

20

China (beauty, elegance, fragility)

Silver or platinum

21

 

Brass or nickel

22

 

Copper

23

 

Silver plate

24

Opal

Musical instruments

25

Silver (radiance)

Silver

30

Pearls (hidden treasure, maturity)

Diamond

35

Coral (commitment)

Jade

40

Ruby (love, passion)

Ruby

45

Sapphire (admiration)

Sapphire

50

Gold (prosperity, wisdom, strength)

Gold

55

Emerald

Emerald

60

Diamond or yellow diamond

Diamond

65

Blue sapphire

 

70

Platinum

Diamond or gold

75

Diamond or gold

 

80

Oak

Diamond or pearls

85

Moonstone or wine

Wife’s birthstone

90

Stone

Marble, granite

 

 

 

Wedding Anniversary Gifts: The Gemstones and Birthstones

As you might know, jewelry and flowers are the ultimate gifts for representing romance. If you’re considering a gift for celebrating your wedding anniversary with your loved one, then adding one of these items might be the perfect way to convey your love.

Here are the gemstones and flowers that represent each year:

Year

Gemstone

Flower

1

Mother of pearl

Carnation

2

Garnet

Lily of the Valley

3

Moonstone

Sunflower

4

Blue topaz

Hydrangea

5

Rose quartz

Daisy

6

Amethyst

Calla

7

Onyx

Freesia

8

Tourmaline

Lilac

9

Lapis Lazuli

Bird of paradise

10

Crystal or green tourmaline

Daffodil

11

Turquoise

Tulip

12

Jade

Peony

13

Citrine

Chrysanthemum

14

Opal

Dahlia

15

Rhodolite

Rose

20

Emerald

Aster

25

Tsavorite

Iris

28

Amethyst

Orchid

30

Pearl

Lily

40

Ruby

Gladiolus

50

Gold

Yellow rose or violet

60

Diamond

 

65

Sapphire

 

100

10 Carat Diamond

 

 

 

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Sources:
Anniversary Ideas Step by Step. Anniversary Symbols. http://www.anniversary-ideas-step-by-step.com/anniversary-symbols.html#gallery[pageGallery]/2/ / Wedding Anniversary Meanings. http://www.anniversary-ideas-step-by-step.com/wedding-anniversary-meanings.html
Celebrants. Anniversary symbols and flowers. http://www.celebrants.org.au/marriage-weddings/wedding-anniversaries/2289-anniversary-symbols-and-flowers

 

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