Only sweet flowers can tell what passion fears to reveal
Thomas Hood poem, The language of flowers
Flowers and bouquets have a meaning of their own. Most of us know that a dozen red roses means “Be mine.” But did you know, for example, that a primrose means “I can’t live without you” or that a purple hyacinth means “Please forgive me” or that a pink carnation means “I will never forget you,” or that a gladiolus means, ” Give me a break? “
Flower meanings have been used to convey ideas, feelings, and messages for centuries. The word, floriography, has been coined for assigning meaning to flowers. There is a meaning for the colors of the flowers, for the number of flowers and for the groups of flowers. It is a silent language that has been largely lost to us through lack of use.
In addition to the obvious choices of color and variety, the language of flowers also includes the way the flowers are used or presented. Presenting flowers in an upright position conveys a positive meaning, but if they are presented in reverse, the meaning is the opposite. If a ribbon is included with the flowers and tied on the left, then the meaning of the flowers refers to the giver, but if the ribbon is tied on the right, then the meaning refers to the recipient. Also, the flowers can be used to answer questions. When presented with the right hand, the answer is “yes”, but when presented with the left hand, the answer is “no.”
Story
The Turks of the 17th century seemed to develop floral meanings. In 1718, the wife of the British ambassador to Constantinople, Lady Mary Wortley, wrote a letter exposing the “secret language of flowers” that she had discovered during her visits to Turkey. Europe quickly caught on to the concept.
In 1819 Louise Cortambert, under the pseudonym Madame Charlotte de la Tour, wrote and published what appears to have been the first dictionary of the flower language entitled, The language of flowers. It was a small book, but it became a popular reference on the subject.
During the Victorian era, the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901, the meaning and language of flowers became increasingly popular. Victorian women especially picked up the silent language that allowed them to communicate feelings and meanings that the strict correctness of the time did not allow. Tussie-mussies, a bouquet of flowers wrapped in a lace doily and tied with a satin ribbon became a popular and valuable gift of the time.
In 1884 a complete book on the subject and entitled, The language of flowers, by Jean Marsh and illustrated by Kate Greenaway, was published in London. It became popular and respected and has been the standard source for the Victorian flower meaning ever since.
Selected flower meanings
Here are some selected flowers and their meanings, a short dictionary.
Almond Blossoms – Hope
Anemone – Abandoned
Aster – Symbol of love
Balm – Sympathy
Basil – Best wishes
Bay leaf: “change but with death”
Bell flower, white – Gratitude
Bergamot – Irresistible
Bluebell – Constancy
Borage – Courage
Broom – Humility
Campanula – Gratitude
Carnation, rose, I will never forget you
Red carnation – My poor heart hurts you
Carnation, striped – Reject
China rose – Ever new beauty
Chrysanthemum – Love
Four Leaf Clover – “Be Mine”
Coreopsis – Love at first sight
Cuckoo pint – Ardor
Narcissus – Look
Daisy – Innocence, newborn, “I share your feeling”
Fennel – Compliments
Fern – Sincerity
Forget-Me-Not – True Love
Gorse or Gorse – Lasting Affection
French marigold – Jealousy
Gardenia – ecstasy
Gentian – beauty
Geranium – “You are childish”
Hare bell – Complaint
Heartsease – “I’m always thinking of you”
Honeysuckle – Bonds of Love
Heather – Admiration
Hyacinth – I’m sorry, please forgive me
Ice Plant: “Your appearance freezes me”
Ivy – Fidelity, friendship, marriage.
Jasmine – Grace
Jonquil – “I await the return of love”
Lavender – Luck, devotion
Lemon balm – Sympathy
Lila – First love
Lily – Purity, modesty
Lily of the valley – Purity, the return of happiness
Lily, Calla – Beauty
Calendula: health, pain or despair
Marjoram – Friendliness, courtesy
Myrtle – Loyalty
Oregano – Joy
Orchid – Love, beauty, refinement
Pansy – Loving Thoughts
Periwinkle – Happy Memory
Phlox – Agreement
Red Poppy – Consolation
Primrose – I can’t live without you
Rose, col – Ambassador of love
Pink, red – Love
Rose, rose – Grace, beauty
Pink, yellow – Friendship
Romero – Memory, constancy
Street – Contrition
Sage – Gratitude, domestic virtue.
Snowdrop – Hope
Star of Bethlehem – Purity
Sweet Pea – Departure, tender memory
Sweet William – Gallantry
Nardo – Voluptuousness
Tulip, red – My Perfect Lover, Claim of Love
Violet – Loyalty, modesty, humility.
Violet, blue – Fidelity
Wormwood – Complaint
Wheat – Riches of the continuation of life.
Willow, crying – Mourning
Wallflower – Loyalty
Yew – Pain
The Rose
The rose is the flower whose meaning we understand best, but here are some details of the meaning of the rose that may be of most interest.
Rose, Black – You are my obsession
Rose, Champagne – You are tender and loving
Rose, Leonidas – Sweet love
Rose, Nicole: you are graceful and elegant, aristocratic
Pink, orange: you are my secret love
Rose, Pink – Bright complexion; the brightness of your smile; perfect happiness
Rose, Red – Passionate love; I love you
Rose, single stems – Simplicity
Rose, White – I am worthy of you; Spiritual love; Innocence and Purity; Secret and silence
Pink, white and red: we are inseparable
Mixed Pink, White and Red – Unity; England floral emblem
Pink, white, dry: death is preferable to the loss of virtue.
Pink, Yellow – Friendship; Jealousy; I am not worthy
Rose, Bridal – Happy Love
Rose, Dark Crimson – Mourning
Rose, Hibiscus – Delicate Beauty
Rose, Tea – I will always remember
Rose, Thornless – Love at First Sight
Roses, bouquet of ripe flowers – Gratitude
Various roses
Single flower red rose – Love at first sight or I still love you
Unique rose, any color: gratitude or simplicity
2 roses – mutual feelings
3 roses – I love you
7 roses – i’m in love with you
9 roses – we will be together forever
10 roses – you are perfect
11 roses – you are my precious
12 roses – be mine
13 roses – friends forever
15 roses – really sorry
20 roses – I’m really sincere with you
21 roses – I am dedicated to you
24 roses – forever yours
25 roses – congratulations
50 roses – unconditional love
99 roses – I will love you every day of my life
108 Roses – Do you want to marry me?
999 roses – I love you until the end of time
To do
With the above lists, you should be able to put together a meaningful flower gift or bouquet that conveys complex thinking. Wrap the flowers properly and present them in a meaningful way. Then, just to make sure your efforts aren’t misunderstood, include a card that fully explains the meaning of your flowers.
After a few flower introductions, you should be able to drop the explanatory notes and start enjoying and sharing the silent language of flowers.
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