The Language of Flowers

Hello Friends,

Then gather a wreath from the garden bowers

and tell the wish of thy heart in flowers - Percival

Floriography is the language of flowers. In Victorian times floriography was used as a tool for communication. Floral arrangements of meaningful flowers were used to send coded messages, allowing people to express feelings which dare not be voiced aloud. Tussie-mussies were charming little bouquets that were a popular use of Floriography. Every gift of flowers sends good will to the recipient, while each flower in the bouquet carries its own message.

The nuances of the language of flowers has sadly been diminished over the decades. Some remain part of our culture for example, we know that red roses imply passionate, romantic love and pink roses a a sweeter more innocent affection; white roses call to mind virtue and chastity and yellow roses signify friendship or devotion.

The concept of plants having meanings is a long standing tradition, in the 1600's play Hamlet, we hear "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance". The Ottoman Turkey emperor Constantinople favored an interest in a language of flowers with strong emphasis on tulips.

The Floriography craft was brought to England and Sweden in the 1700's. The French popularized the trend in the 1800's while in Britain it gained popular during the Victorian age of the early 1800's and finally moving to the US in the mid 1800's.

The meaning of flowers:

Aloe Grief

Almond Promise

Amaranth Immortal love

Amaryllis Pride

Ambrosia Love is reciprocated

Anemone Anticipation

Arborvitae Everlasting friendship

Arbutus You are my only love

Asparagus Fascination

Aster Symbol of love, daintiness

Azalea Take Care, fragile, passion, womanhood

Baby's breath Innocence, pure of heart

Bachelor button Single blessedness, celibacy

Laurel Bay Glory

Begonia Beware

Bellflower Disappointment, loss

Bells of Ireland Luck

Bird's-foot Trefoil Revenge

Bird of Paradise Liberty, magnificence, faithfulness

Borage Courage

Broom Humility

Buttercup Riches

Cabbage Profit

Campanula Gratitude

Carnation Fascination; distinction, innocence Mother's love

Celandine Joys to come

Cherry blossom A good education

Chrysanthemum I love

Coreopsis Always cheerful

Cowslip Winning grace

Clove Undying love

Clover I promise

Columbine Emblem of deceived lovers

Coriander Lust

Cypress Death, mourning, despair, sorrow.

Daffodil Chivalry, unrequited love, return my affection

Dahlia Elegance and dignity

Daisy Innocence, loyal love, purity, faith, cheer, simplicity

Dandelion Coquetry

Delphinium Levity, fun, big-hearted, ardent attachment, joy

Eglantine Rose A wound to heal

Elderflower Compassion

Fennel Strength

Forget-me-not True love

Fungus Resilience, loneliness, solitude, disgust

Gardenia You're lovely, secret love, joy, good luck

Geranium Gentility

Gladiolus Strength of character, honor, conviction

Grass Submission

Heather Solitude

Heliotrope Devotion

Hibiscus Rare beauty, delicate beauty

Hollyhock Ambition

Honeysuckle Devoted affection, bonds of love

Hydrangea Heartlessness

Iris Good news

Ivy Endurance

Jasmine Unconditional and eternal love

Jonquil Please return my affecion

Lavender Devotion 

Lilac First emotion of love

Lily Purity

Lily of the Valley Sweetness, Humility, Happiness, Trustworthy

Lobelia Malevolence

Lotus Purity, chastity and eloquence

Magnolia Love of nature

Marigold Pain and grief

Mayflower Welcome

Mint Suspicion

Moonflower Dreaming of love

Morning glory Love in vain

Narcissus Unrequited love, selfishness

Nasturtium Patriotism

Oak leaf Strength

Oats Music

Olive Peace

Orchid Refined beauty

Peach blossom Long-life, generosity, and bridal hope

Pear blossom Lasting friendship

Peony Shame, bashfulness

Phlox Harmony

Plum blossom Beauty and longevity

Plumeria Perfection, springtime, new beginnings

Primrose Eternal love

Protea Courage

Poppy Pleasure, wealth, dreams

Rose True love, grace

Rosemary Remembrance

Snowdrop Hope

Star of Bethlehem Atonement, Reconciliation

Straw United

Sunflower Pure and lofty thoughts

Sweetbrier Simplicity

Sweetpea Gratitude

Thistle Nobility

Thyme Thriftiness

Tulip Undying love

Violet Faithfulness, Modesty

Viscaria Invitation to dance

Willow Love forsaken

Winged seeds Messengers

Wheat Wealth and prosperity

Wormwood Absence,bitter sorrow

By all those token flowers that tell

What words can never speak so well. Byron

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Thanks for visiting,

Bonnie

Reader's Comments


By luvncrafts on 03/25/2013 @ 12:51pmLovely post!


By EweniqueEssentials on 03/23/2013 @ 09:20pmFlowers speak with a language all their own! Very interesting post. Thanks for sharing!