Skip to content
Willow Tree Figurine Meanings: Find the Right One for Every Occasion
Every Willow Tree figurine is designed by American artist Susan Lordi to express a feeling or a moment in life, from new love and new babies to friendship, gratitude and loss. The figures have no facial features, so whoever receives one can see their own story in it. That simplicity is why they make such meaningful gifts, and why so many people collect them.
If you're not sure which one to choose, this guide groups the Willow Tree pieces we stock by occasion, with a short note on what each one means. You can see the full Willow Tree range here.
Jump to: Love, couples & anniversaries · New baby & growing families · Mums, dads & grandparents · Friends & sisters · Thank you & appreciation · Sympathy & remembrance · Healing, courage & hope · Achievements & new chapters · Pet lovers · Home, hobbies & passions
Love, couples & anniversaries
For partners, weddings, engagements and milestone anniversaries.
- Together: A couple in a warm embrace. It stands for closeness and support in a relationship.
- Promise: A couple standing close together, for a lasting commitment. It suits an engagement or wedding.
- You & Me: Partnership, trust and getting through life together.
- Around You: A couple seated facing each other, for devotion and the quiet strength of partnership.
- Anniversary Couple: An older couple on a bench, for a love that has grown deeper over the years.
- Love You: She holds a gold wire circle with the words "love you".
- Je t’aime: She presents a vivid red heart, with carved hearts, flowers and birds on her dress. French for “I love you”.
- With Love: An angel holding out a red heart. It carries one simple message: you are loved.
- Sweetheart Angel: A light-hearted message of love and kindness.
New baby & growing families
For pregnancy announcements, baby showers, christenings and new siblings.
- Cherish: An expectant mother, for the excitement of new life on the way.
- Home: An expecting couple, for the change from couple to family.
- Angel of Mine: An angel holding a newborn, for tender, unconditional love.
- Angel's Embrace: An angel cradling a baby, for keeping close what matters most.
- We Are Three: A couple with their newborn between them, for when two become three.
- New Life: A seated couple cradling a newborn, a warm way to welcome a baby.
- Our Gift: New parents holding their baby close, for the joy of becoming a family.
- My New Baby: A toddler cradling a new sibling, in blush pink or sky blue. A sweet gift for a new big brother or sister.
- Guardian Angel & Toddler: Protection and guidance, often given at christenings.
Mums, dads & grandparents
For Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthdays, or simply to say thank you to family.
Willow Tree That's My Dad
Willow Tree Father & Daughter
Willow Tree Mother Daughter
Willow Tree Generations
- That's My Dad: A father with his son leaning on him, for the times spent together.
- New Dad: A father holding his baby, for the wonder of new fatherhood.
- Father & Daughter: A father and daughter sitting close, for a steady, loving bond.
- My Girls: A dad with his arms around two daughters.
- Mother & Son: A mother hugging her young son, for a bond that changes as he grows.
- Mother Daughter: For the laughter and warmth between a mother and daughter.
- Close to Me: A mother-and-daughter bond that stays strong through every change.
- Loving My Mother: An adult daughter with her arms around her seated mother, for gratitude as roles change.
- Generations: A grandmother, mother and daughter, for the love and traditions that link generations.
- Grandmother & Baby: For a new grandmother.
- With My Grandmother: For the stories and wisdom passed down by a grandmother.
Friends & sisters
For best friends, sisters and the friends who feel like family.
- Friendship: She holds five wire flowers, for a friendship that keeps growing.
- Truly Golden: For a friendship that has become more precious over time.
- Heart & Soul: For trust and support between women friends.
- By My Side: Three women together, for friends who feel close even when they're far away.
- Sisters by Heart: Two women holding hands, for a friend who is family.
- Sister Mine: For shared history and loyalty between sisters.
- My Sister, My Friend: Two women arm in arm, for a sister who has been there through everything.
- Chrysalis: Two women embracing, for the friends who help us grow.
- Bloom: She holds fuchsia calla lilies, for a friendship that stays bright through every season.
Thank you & appreciation
For teachers, carers, hosts, nurses, volunteers and anyone who has gone the extra mile.
- Just For You: An angel holding a wire circle that says "thank you".
- Thank You: She offers pink peonies as a graceful gesture of gratitude.
- Grateful: Three wire-stemmed flowers, for friendship, kindness and thanks.
- You're the Best: An angel holding a red apple. It's a favourite gift for teachers.
- Angel of Caring: An angel sitting and listening, for carers, counsellors and good listeners.
- Magnolia Hostess: For warmth and welcome. A lovely gift to thank a host.
- For You: A small wildflower bouquet, for a thank-you for no particular reason.
- Blessings: Arms outstretched, for gratitude and goodwill.
Sympathy & remembrance
Gentle gifts for someone who is grieving, or to remember a loved one.
- With Sympathy: An angel holding a white dove, for finding peace through remembrance.
- Remembrance: She holds a gold-leaf heart, with carved symbols of the five senses. We remember the people we love through touch, scent, sound, sight and taste.
- Ever Remember: She holds a gold-leaf flame, a reminder that a loved one's light still glows.
- Remember: She holds a drooping wire flower, for quiet reflection.
- Tapestry: Gold leaf and carved symbols for a lifetime of memories woven together.
- Forget Me Not: She holds blue forget-me-nots, for keeping people and memories close.
- Messenger: A red cardinal on her shoulder, a gentle symbol of a loved one who is still near.
- Vigil: A candle holder figure, for hope and comfort. Light a candle in memory.
- Keepsake: She holds a gold-leaf heart to her chest, for keeping love and memories close.
Healing, courage & hope
For someone facing illness, a hard season or a big challenge.
- Angel of Healing: An angel cradling a small bird, for comfort and the care that healing needs.
- Courage: Arms raised high, for strength and resilience.
- Angel of Hope: She shelters a gold-leaf flame, a reminder that even a small light can guide the way.
- Bright Hope: Bright pink tulips, for courage and new beginnings.
- Lavender Grace: A bundle of lavender, for comfort and quiet hope.
- Our Healing Touch: Three women together, for the comfort of simply being there.
- Angel of Good Health: An armful of red apples, for a wish of good health and recovery.
- Wishing: A gold-halo angel, for a heartfelt wish for a brighter future.
- Prayer of Peace: For calm, reflection and inner peace.
Achievements & new chapters
For graduations, new jobs, retirement and fresh starts.
- Shine: Arms raised to the sky, for inner strength and a hard-earned achievement.
- Bright Star: An angel holding a glittering star, for achievement and a bright future.
- Angel of Freedom: She lifts a wire butterfly, for transformation and courage.
- Butterfly: A monarch butterfly and gold leaf, for resilience, strength and transformation.
- Soar: She holds a white dove, for hope, renewal and new possibilities.
- Journey: For appreciating each step along the way.
- Happiness: Three bluebirds on her arms, for freedom, creativity and joy.
- Wisdom: A woman reading, for a lifelong love of learning. Lovely for a retiring teacher or a book lover.
Pet lovers
For the people whose pets are family, or to remember a much-loved pet.
- Love My Dog: Small hand-painted dogs in light golden and small standing styles.
- Love My Cat: An orange tabby full of personality.
- Adorable You: A woman cradling a puppy, also available with a dark dog.
- Angel of Comfort: A boy angel with a brown dog, for companionship and unconditional love.
- Kindness: A girl with a cat, or a boy with a dog. A reminder that everyday care matters.
Home, hobbies & passions
For housewarmings, gardeners, cooks and music lovers.
Willow Tree Mi Casa
Willow Tree Angel of the Kitchen
Willow Tree Little Things
Willow Tree Music Speaks
- Mi Casa: "My house is your house." A warm housewarming gift.
- Angel of the Kitchen: She holds a green teapot, for shared cups of tea and friendship.
- Little Things: A gardener with a terracotta pot, for the small acts of care that make a big difference.
- Angel of Harmony: An angel playing the flute, for the joy and calm of music.
- Music Speaks: For dancers, singers and performers.
Choosing the right Willow Tree figurine
- Think about the relationship, not just the occasion. A mother and daughter piece can mean as much for a birthday as for Mother's Day.
- Look at what the figure is holding. Flowers, hearts, birds and candles usually carry the meaning. Doves are often for hope and peace, butterflies for transformation, and gold-leaf flames for hope and memory.
- Build a family over time. Many families add a piece for each new baby, wedding or grandchild, so the collection grows with them.
Some Willow Tree pieces are on our shelves in Ashburton, and others are ordered in for you. Each product page shows which. We gift wrap for free, and shipping is free on NZ orders over $160. Buying for Christmas? See our Christmas Gift Guide NZ 2026 for delivery cut-off dates.
