Posts tagged LANGUAGE

Sweet flowers alone can say what passion fears revealing

Thomas Hood poem, The Language of Flowers

Flowers and bouquets of flowers 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’ll never forget you,” or that a gladiolus means, “Give me a break?”

Flower meanings have been used to convey thoughts, feelings and messages for centuries. The word, floriography, has been coined for the assignment of meaning to flowers. There is a meaning to colors of flowers, to numbers of flowers, and to groups of flowers. It is a silent language that has been largely lost to us through lack of use.

In addition to the evident choices of affect and variety, the language of flowers also includes the way flowers are worn or presented. Presenting flowers upright conveys a positive meaning, but if they are presented upside down the meaning is the opposite. If a ribbon is included with the flowers and is tied to the left then the meaning of the flowers refers to the giver, but if the ribbon is tied to the right then the meaning refers to the recipient. Also, flowers can be used to answer questions. When they are presented with the right hand the answer is “yes,” but when presented with the left hand the answer is “no.”

History

The Turks in the 17th century seemed to develop flower meanings. In 1718 the wife of the British ambassador to Constantinople, Lady Mary Wortley, wrote a letter expounding on the “Secret Language of Flowers” that she had learned during her visits to Turkey. Europe quickly picked up on the concept.

In 1819 Louise Cortambert, under the pen name, Madame Charlotte de la Tour, wrote and published what seems to have been the first glossary of the flower language entitled, Le Language des Fleurs. It was a small book, but it became a well loved 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 well loved. Victorian women especially picked up the silent language that allowed them to communicate feelings and meanings that the strict propriety of the times would not allow. Tussie-mussies, a bouquet of flowers wrapped with a lace doily and tied with a satin ribbon became a well loved and valued gift of the times.

In 1884 a whole book on the subject and entitled, The Language of Flowers, by Jean Marsh and illustrated by Kate Greenaway, was published in London. It became well loved and respected and has been the ordinary source for Victorian flower meaning ever since.

Elected Flower Meanings

Here are some elected flowers and their meanings, a small glossary.

Almond flowers — Hope

Anemone — Forsaken

Aster — Symbol of like

Balm — Sympathy

Basil — Best desires

Bay leaf — “I change but in death”

Bell flower, white — Thankfulness

Bergamot — Irresistible

Bluebell — Constancy

Borage — Courage

Broom — Unassuming nature

Campanula — Thankfulness

Carnation, pink — I’ll never forget you

Carnation, red — My poor heart aches for you

Carnation, striped — Refusal

China rose — Beauty always new

Chrysanthemum — Like

Clover, four leaved — “Be mine”

Coreopsis — Like at first sight

Cuckoo pint — Ardor

Daffodil — Regard

Daisy — Innocence, new-born, “I share your sentiment”

Fennel — Flattery

Fern — Sincerity

Forget-Me-Not — Right like

Furze or Gorse — Enduring affection

French Marigold — Jealousy

Gardenia — Ecstasy

Gentian — Loveliness

Geranium — “You are childish”

Hare bell — Grief

Heartsease — “I am always thinking of you”

Honeysuckle — Bonds of like

Heather — Admiration

Hyacinth — I am sorry, Please forgive me

Ice Plant — “Your appearance freezes me”

Ivy — Fidelity, friendship, marriage

Jasmine — loveliness

Jonquil — “I hope for return of affection”

Lavender — Luck, devotion

Lemon Balm — Sympathy

Lilac — First like

Lily — Purity, modesty

Lily of the Valley — Purity, the return of happiness

Lily, Calla — Beauty

Marigold — Shape, grief or despair

Marjoram — Kindness, courtesy

Myrtle — Fidelity

Oregano — Joy

Orchid — Like, beauty, refinement

Pansy — Loving thoughts

Periwinkle — Pleased memory

Phlox — Agreement

Poppy, red — Consolation

Primrose — I can’t live without you

Rose, cabbage — Ambassador of like

Rose, red — Like

Rose, pink — loveliness, beauty

Rose, yellow — Friendship

Rosemary — Remembrance, constancy

Rue — Contrition

Sage — Thankfulness, domestic virtue

Snowdrop — Hope

Star of Bethlehem — Purity

Sweet Pea — Departure, tender memory

Sweet William — Gallantry

Tuberose — Voluptuousness

Tulip, red — My perfect lover, Reclamation of like

Violet — Loyalty, modesty, unassuming nature

Violet, blue — Faithfulness

Wormwood — Grief

Wheat — Riches of the continuation of life

Willow, crying — Grief

Wallflower — Fidelity

Yew — Sorrow

The Rose

The Rose is the flower whose meaning we most know, but here are some details of the meaning of the Rose that may be of further interest.

Rose, Black – You are my obsession

Rose, Champagne – You are tender and loving

Rose, Leonidas – Sweet like

Rose, Nicole – You are graceful and elegant, aristocratic

Rose, Orange – You are my secret like

Rose, Pink – Brilliant complexion; the glow of your smile; perfect happiness

Rose, Red – Passionate like; I like you

Rose, Release Stems – Simplicity

Rose, White – I am worthy of you; spiritual like; Innocence and Purity; Secrecy and Silence

Rose, White and Red – We are inseparable

Rose, White and Red Mixed – Unity; Flower emblem of England

Rose, White, Dried – Death is preferable to loss of virtue

Rose, Yellow – Friendship; Jealousy; I am not worthy

Rose, Bridal – Pleased Like

Rose, Dark Crimson – Grief

Rose, Hibiscus – Delicate beauty

Rose, Tea – I’ll dredge up always

Rose, Thornless – Like at first sight

Roses, Bouquet of Mature Blooms – Thankfulness

Multiple Roses

Release bruise red Rose – Like at first sight or I still like you

Release Rose, any affect – Thankfulness or simplicity

2 Roses – Mutual feelings

3 Roses – I like you

7 Roses – I’m infatuated with you

9 Roses – We’ll be together forever

10 Roses – You are perfect

11 Roses – You are my treasured one

12 Roses – Be mine

13 Roses – Acquaintances forever

15 Roses – I’m really sorry

20 Roses – I’m really sincere towards you

21 Roses – I’m dedicated to you

24 Roses – Forever yours

25 Roses – Congratulations

50 Roses – Unconditional like

99 Roses – I will like you all the days of my life

108 Roses – Will you marry me?

999 Roses – I like you till the end of time

What To Do

With the lists above you should be able to assemble a meaningful gift of flowers or a bouquet that conveys a complex thought. Wrap the flowers appropriately and bestow them in a significant manner. Then, just to be certain that your efforts are not misinterpreted, contain a card that fully clarifies the meaning of your flowers.

After a few flower presentations you should be able to drop the explanatory clarification and start enjoying and sharing the silent language of flowers.

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