Only sweet flowers can say what passion fears to reveal.
thomas hood Poem, The language of flowers
Flowers and bouquets have their own meaning. Most of us know that a dozen red roses mean “Be mine.” But did you know, for example, that a primrose means “I can’t live without you” or a purple hyacinth means “Please forgive me” or a pink carnation means “I’ll never forget you” or a gladiolus means “Give me a breath?”
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 through lack of use.
In addition to the obvious choices of color and variety, the language of flowers also includes the way they are dressed or presented. Presenting the flowers in a vertical position 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 tied on the left, then the meaning of the flowers refers to the giver, but if the ribbon is tied on the right, the meaning refers to the recipient. Also, 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”.
History
The Turks in the 17th century seemed to develop floral meanings. In 1718, the wife of the British ambassador in Constantinople, Lady Mary Wortley, wrote a letter in which she expounded on 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 floral 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 decorum 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 of 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
Balsam — Sympathy
Basil — Best wishes
Bay leaf — “Change but in death”
Bell flower, white — Gratitude
Bergamot — Irresistible
Bluebell – Constancy
Borage — Courage
Broom – Humility
Campanula – Gratitude
Carnation, rose, I will never forget you
Carnation, red – My poor heart aches for you
Striped carnation — Rejection
China rose–forever new beauty
Chrysanthemum — Love
Clover, four to the left — “Be mine”
Coreopsis — Love at first sight
Cuckoo Pint — Ardor
Daffodil — Gaze
Daisy — Innocence, newborn, “I share your sentiment”
Fennel — Flattery
Fern – Sincerity
Forget Me Not – True Love
Furze 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 hope they love me back”
Lavender — Luck, devotion
Lemon Balm – Sympathy
Lilac — first love
Lily — Purity, modesty
Lily of the valley — Purity, the return of happiness
Lily, Calla – Beauty
Calendula — Health, grievance or despair
Marjoram — Kindness, courtesy
Myrtle — Loyalty
Oregano – Joy
Orchid — Love, beauty, refinement
Pansy – Loving Thoughts
Periwinkle — Happy Memory
Phlox — Agreement
Poppy, red — Consuelo
Primrose – I can’t live without you
Rose, cabbage — Ambassador of love
Pink, Red–Love
Pink, pink — Grace, beauty
Pink, yellow — Friendship
Romero — Remembrance, constancy
Street — Contrition
Sage — Gratitude, domestic virtue
Snowdrop – Hope
Star of Bethlehem — Purity
Sweet Pea – Departure, fond memory
Sweet William – Gallantry
Tuberose – Voluptuousness
Tulip, red — My perfect lover, Claim of love
Purple: Loyalty, modesty, humility.
Violet, blue — Fidelity
Wormwood – Complaint
Wheat — Riches of the continuation of life
Willow, crying — Mourning
Wallflower – Fidelity
Yew – Sadness
The Rose
The Rose is the flower whose meaning we understand the most, but here are some details of the meaning of the Rose that may be of more interest.
Rose, Black – You are my obsession
Rosa, 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
Pink, Pink – bright complexion; the brightness of your smile; perfect happiness
Pink, Red – passionate love; love you
Rose, Single Stems – Simplicity
Rosa, Blanca – I am worthy of you; Spiritual love; Innocence and Purity; secrecy and silence
Pink, White and Red – We are inseparable
Pink, White and Mixed Red – Unit; flower emblem of england
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
multiple roses
Single flower red rose – Love at first sight or I still love you
Single 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 – I’m so sorry
20 roses – I am really sincere with you
21 Roses – I am dedicated to you
24 Roses – Always yours
25 Roses – Congratulations
50 Roses – Unconditional love
99 roses – I will love you every day of my life
108 roses – will you 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 gift of flowers or a bouquet that conveys a complex thought. Wrap the flowers appropriately and present them meaningfully. Then, 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 put down the explanatory notes and begin to enjoy and share the silent language of flowers.
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