History Of The Language Of Flowers

All a flower preaches is emotion.

At The Flora, we love flowers, and exploring their history is part of that love. Today we see flowers as symbols of love, peace and positivity, but in the 19th century they spoke a language of their own.

Flowers could express sadness, silence and grief as well as love, respect and faithfulness. They could even accuse someone of infidelity. Books about flower meanings became popular in the Victorian era, but the idea is older. Many historians trace it to the Ottoman court, where a "selam" of flowers and small objects carried coded messages. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu described it in her letters from Constantinople in 1717, and the idea soon caught on in England and France.

In Victorian England, people rarely spoke openly about their feelings, so they sent small hand-held bouquets, called tussie-mussies, to say what words could not.

What Is Floriography?

Floriography is the name for this secret language of flowers. It became a fashion among the elite in the 19th century, when many flower dictionaries were published claiming to decode each bloom. One of the best known, Charlotte de la Tour's Le Langage des Fleurs, appeared in France in 1819. The meanings drew on myths, customs, medicinal uses and plenty of imagination.

The dictionaries did not always agree, so a flower could mean different things in different places. A yellow rose is a good example: it usually stands for friendship, yet in Texas it is linked to undying love.

Know More About: 25 Flowers That Symbolize Love & Their Meanings

Flower Meanings In The Language Of Flowers

Here is what some of the best-loved flowers meant, and what many of them still say today.

1. White Rose

Also known as Rosa alba, the white rose symbolizes loyalty, purity and innocence. Its petals range from pure white to soft ivory.

In Greek myth, roses were linked to Aphrodite, and one legend says white roses turned red when she pricked herself on a thorn. In Christianity, the white rose is associated with the Virgin Mary, the Mystical Rose, and signifies joy and purity. In 15th-century England, it was the emblem of the House of York during the Wars of the Roses.

2. Red Rose

A red rose is the universal symbol of love, and giving one is a classic way to say you are in love.

Red roses in all shades signify romantic love. A burgundy rose is often used for unrequited love, the love that is not returned. Red roses are also a gentle way to show love and respect for someone who has passed.

3. Yellow Rose

Yellow roses represent deep friendship, but in the 19th century they could also signal jealousy or infidelity. So choose carefully when you pick roses as a gift.

4. Carnation

A carnation represents pride and beauty, and its meaning changes with its colour. A light red carnation expresses admiration, while a dark red one speaks of deep love and affection. White carnations are given to wish someone luck, and pink ones to say thank you.

5. Lily

In ancient Greece and Rome, brides wore crowns of lilies as a sign of purity and a fruitful life. The lily later became a symbol of chastity linked to the Virgin Mary, and today white lilies are often given to express sympathy and remembrance.

6. Hydrangea

Hydrangeas have deep but mixed meanings. They can stand for honest emotions, gratitude, abundance and understanding between two people. Surprisingly, in Victorian times they could also signal heartlessness, boasting or a lack of romantic interest. So it is best to pair them with other flowers to make sure you send the right message.

7. Tulip

The tulip's link to love comes from a Persian legend. When the sculptor Farhad was falsely told that his beloved Shirin had died, he died of grief, and red tulips are said to have sprung from his blood. In the Ottoman Empire, the tulip later became a symbol of power and wealth.

8. Chrysanthemum

The chrysanthemum has long symbolized the sun, and the orderly unfolding of its petals stands for perfection. People give these flowers to express loyalty and friendship. Choose the colour with care, though: red and white chrysanthemums stand for love and devotion, while yellow ones signify sorrow or neglected love.

9. Orchid

The ancient Greeks linked orchids with fertility, so they make a lovely gift for parents-to-be. An orchid also symbolizes love, beauty, thoughtfulness, refinement and charm. Pair it with other flowers to say exactly how you feel.

10. Sunflower

A sunflower is given to express loyalty and admiration, and it also stands for longevity. In China it represents good fortune and vitality, and for many Native American peoples it was a symbol of harvest and plenty. Sunflowers are a gift that rarely goes wrong.

Know More About: 10 Flowers That Symbolize Strength And What They Mean

Conclusion

A simple gift of flowers can say a lot. Express your feelings to friends and loved ones with Fresh Bouquets of assorted flowers from The Flora.

Pro Tip: Send a note with the meaning of each flower along with the bouquet, so they know exactly how you feel.

The Flora is a fresh flower company. We deliver flowers and bouquets the same day across Bangalore, Delhi and Hyderabad, and you can also explore our Flower Subscriptions for regular fresh blooms.

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Author: Bhawika Jethwani