Carnations are a symbol of motherly love, and have traditionally been associated with Mother's Day. They represent all that is true and good about mothers - their unconditional love, their care and nurturing nature, and their strength. Carnations also stand for appreciation and gratitude, which are two emotions that we often feel towards our mothers. So when you give your mom a carnation on Mother's Day, you are conveying all of these sentiments in the simplest but most beautiful way possible. The origins of this tradition are actually quite interesting. In ancient times, people believed that carnations had the power to heal broken hearts and bring people back together again.