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Floriography

Published: Tuesday 15 April 2014

Floriography

 

LE LANGUAGE DE FLEURS

Before we worked out how to travel to the moon, before the advent of Facebook, before females could vote, and gay couples could openly walk down a street holding hands, we used flowers as a silent means of communication, or ‘floriography’.

Floriography was instigated by the Turks in the 17th century as a way for concubine women who could not read or write communicate to with each other. (1)

Language of Flowers

Then along came Lady Mary Wortley. A rather worldly and well-traveled wife of the British ambassador to Constantinople, Lady Wortley was instrumental in turning this Turkish concubine tradition into a European ‘floriography craze’, penning a letter in 1718 about the ‘Secret Language of Flowers’ she’d been exposed to while travelling in Turkey. (1)

Could Lady Mary Wortley be considered a catalyst for the future development of a billion dollar worldwide florist industry, giving and receiving flowers as a symbol of love, compassion, thanks, and congratulations? 

The First Floral Language Dictionary

The floriography fad well and truly got underway during the Victorian era, with what is believed to have been the first dictionary of the flower language, a small yet highly popular reference book entitled ‘Le Language des Fleurs’, written in 1819 by Louise Cortambert, under the pen name Madame Charlotte de la Tour. (1)

Without the aid of Facebook relationship status updates, floriography enabled ‘Downton Abby-esque’ women (and men) to communicate feelings that the strict propriety of the times would not allow. We can just imagine this tiny little dictionary of secret language being carried in the folds of petticoats by young ladies, its flower meanings memorised from front to back.

violet posies

William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and many others, all used the language of flowers in their writings. (2)

In fact, floriography was so popular and ingrained into society, that the 1884 publication ‘The Language of Flowers’ by Jean Marsh (illustrated by Kate Greenaway), continues to be reprinted to this day. (2)

Language of Flowers Postcard

Nosegays and Tussie-Mussies

Armed with their floral dictionary, Victorians would exchange small “talking bouquets,” called nosegays or tussie-mussies, which could be worn or carried as a fashion accessory. (2)

However with so many new floral dictionaries being published it was important your loved one used the same dictionary to avoid any ‘misunderstandings’ in your secret communications! It would be ever so embarrassing handing a lady a nosegay of gardenias instead of yellow roses, expressing ‘ecstasy’ instead of ‘friendship’…

Tussie Mussie!

FLORAL MYTHOLOGY

Flower symbolism did not just begin with the Victorian era ‘floriography’ craze. Although flower meanings were often derived from the appearance or behavior of the plant itself (for example, the mimosa, or sensitive plant, represents chastity because the leaves of the mimosa close at night, or when touched), flower meanings can also be traced back to legends from ancient Greek mythology.

For example, the exquisite Anemone flower is tied to a large assortment of symbolism.

Anemone     Anemones

Whilst in floriography the Anemone represents anticipation and unfading love, good luck and protection against evil, the actual origin of the Anemone flower’s name is a perfect example of its place in mythological history. Anemone, or ‘windflower’, is Greek for ‘Daughter of the Wind’.(2)

anemone

The red anemone flower in particular, is often associated with the death of Adonis, who was stabbed by the sharp tusks of a wild boar. Aphrodite, the beloved of Adonis, heard his cry and ran to him. She found that, as he died, the anemones around his body turned from a crisp white to a shocking red. She then named these blossoms the windflower – namely because the same wind that gently opens the flower will also blow away the faded petals, thus representing the transitory nature of her lover’s life. (1)

Still other mythology connects the anemone to magical fairies, who were believed to sleep under the petals after they closed at sunset. (4)

Floriography: A Sample of Flower Meanings

Next time you send flowers, check that, a tussie-mussie (!) you might want to play around with some of these century old floriography meanings for a bit of fun…

Aster — Symbol of love
Basil — Best wishes
Bay leaf — “I change but in death”
Bergamot — Irresistible
Bluebell — Constancy
Carnation, pink — I’ll never forget you
Daffodil — Regard
Daisy — Innocence, new-born, “I share your sentiment”
Fennel — Flattery
Fern — Sincerity
Forget-Me-Not — True love
Gardenia — Ecstasy
Geranium — “You are childish”
Hyacinth — I am sorry, Please forgive me
Ivy — Fidelity, friendship, marriage
Jasmine — Grace
Jonquil — “I hope for return of affection”
Lavender — Luck, devotion
Lilac — First love
Lily — Purity, modesty
Orchid — Love, beauty, refinement
Pansy — Loving thoughts
Poppy, red — Consolation
Rose, red — Love
Rose, pink — Grace, beauty
Rose, yellow — Friendship
Rosemary — Remembrance, constancy
Sweet Pea — Departure, tender memory
Violet — Loyalty, modesty, humility

Big bunch of roses

Floriography with roses even extends specifically to the actual number given…. 

Single bloom 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 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 – Friends forever
15 Roses – I’m truly sorry
20 Roses – I’m truly sincere towards you
21 Roses – I’m dedicated to you
24 Roses – Forever yours
25 Roses – Congratulations
50 Roses – Unconditional love
99 Roses – I will love you all the days of my life
108 Roses – Will you marry me?
999 Roses – I love you till the end of time

Hmmm, three guesses how many roses I’d like to be given??!!!

References:

1. http://www.santamonicaflowers.com

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_of_flowers

3. http://www.santamonicaflowers.com/blogs/news/2496942-anemones-are-your-friends

4. http://www.joysflorist.com/flowersmeaning.html

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