The Language of Flowers

The language of flowers, also known as “floriography”, is the practice of using flowers to convey coded messages. It has fascinated me for decades, beginning when I became enamored of the Victorian-era… understandably so.

Queen Victoria was obsessed with floriography! From her coronation in 1838 to her death in 1901, floriography swept through England and spread worldwide. But flowers have held significance across civilizations for thousands of years. The Victorian’s, who loved romanticism and sentimentality, elevated it to an art form! Giving a bouquet gift was common in society.

Though many flower ‘dictionaries’ were written, because a set of definitions was never established there were many inconsistencies.

By the 1880’s, the popularity of floriography began to decline. Hobby gardening and bouquet giving ended in 1914 with World War I when greenhouses were used for growing food to support the war effort.

Women’s movements like suffrage contributed too. Social and political strife in general shifted focus away from gardening and flower shows.

Thankfully, the beauty and romance of flowers survived!

Here’s a look at the meaning of some flowers:

Snapdragon – presumption. In Henry Phillips’ “Floral Emblems”, the snapdragons countenance is referred to as a mask making it an appropriate symbol of presumption.

Chrysanthemum – cheerfulness under adversity. Mums were a symbol of autumn and merriment to the Victorian’s.  In “Floral Emblems” they are described as “giving so much cheerfulness” which makes it a perfect symbol for an amicable disposition. Additional meanings were assigned to the flower colors as well: rose meant ‘I love you’, white ‘truth’, yellow ‘slighted love’.

Sunflower – haughtiness. It is said that the sunflowers fawning affection for the sun led to this symbolism.

Sweet pea – delicate pleasure. Its charms in both fragrance and color, sweet peas add a romantic delicate element. The Victorian’s adore them! 

Zinnia – absence. It is not clear why they were given that symbolism. Perhaps because the Spanish thought they were weedy and unattractive so did not bring any seeds back to Europe. Seeds did arrive until the 1700’s but were mostly ignored until the 1800’s with the rise of Victorian gardening. They did love zinnia’s! The 1874 issue of The Gardener’s Chronicle describes them as “vibrant” and “dazzling” flowers.

Krystal

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Image from Planterra Conservancy