Allow Flowers To Say What You Can’t

Dating back to historical times, flowers have been used as a profession of kindness. We usually present them to those we care for. We give flowers to show them how special they are, to show admiration, to celebrate occasions, or even to sympathize. What we don’t know is that sending certain kinds of flowers, and even their colors, actually have meanings of their own.

Floriography: (Language Of Flowers)

During medieval and Renaissance times, flowers were often given moral meanings. This is evident in art where saints are often depicted with flowers that symbolize the saints’ virtues. In an edition of Sixteenth Century Journal, Liana DeGirolami Cheney stated that “some of the Christian symbols for Virginity or Chastity are the white rose, the myrtle, a vessel or vase, the lily, and the unicorn.”

During Victorian times, flowers were used initially to create or add emotion. The language of flowers, sometimes called floriography, began being used as a discreet form of communication. During the 18th century, sending cyphered messages using flowers became popular. Based on a Turkish secret language of flowers, known as Persian Salaam, a coded bouquet could be sent to express feelings of attraction or even love.

A book entirely about flower interpretations by Madame Charlotte de la Tour, “Le Language des Fleurs,” dates back to 1819. Another was written in 1884, titled “Language of Flowers” by Kate Greenaway, and it is still being used today.

Japan also has a language of flowers, which they call “Hanakotoba.” Greeting cards in Japan use the Hanakotoba code, and still use the flower-language in popular culture such as in movies and cartoons, like the anime series “Wei Kreuz.”

Well-Known Meanings Of Flowers

Purchase or borrow a dictionary of flowers to see the different meanings and interpretations of flowers. Some of the most well-known flowers and their significances are written below:

Buttercup – riches Pink carnations – a woman’s love Chrysanthemum – love in general Forget-me-not – true love Lavender – devotion, distrust Purple lilac – first emotion of love White lily – purity Peach blossom- long-life Red rose – true love Sunflower – pure and lofty thoughts Yellow tulip – hopeless love