The Language of Flowers

The

L A N G UAG E o f f l owe r s

T h e a r t o f Fl o r i o g ra p h y A Vi c t o r i a n m e a n s of communication

The

L A N G UAG E o f f l owe r s

The language of flowers known as ‘Floriography’ was a Victorian means of communication. This book celebrates this ‘lost’ language with definitions for the most well known plants and flowers. It is curated in a ‘Floriography Alphabet’ using illuminated letters to represent the flowers.

The book is complete with 2 additional posters and bouquet cards to accompany the flowers you wish to send.

The

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CONTENTS

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Chapter 1

F LO R IO G R A PHY The histor y and origins of the floral language

Chapter 2

F LO R A L E T IQ UE T TE How to present your flowers correctly

Chapter 3

T HE F LOW E R S The Floriography alphabet and their meanings

1-2

3-8

9-15

I ’ D R AT H E R H AV E

RO S E S on my table, than diamonds

ON MY NECK - Emma Goldman

FLORIOGRAPHY The histor y and origins of the floral language

01

The

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FLOR I OGR A PHY

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For centuries, flowers, herbs and various

flowers. History relates that during the

plants have given much pleasure to

reign of Queen Victoria, which lasted

people of all the nations, their beauty has

from 1837 to 1901, (known as the

the unique ability to bring cheer when

Victorian era) the language of flowers

someone is ill or downhearted, their

was as important to people as being “well

fragrances can be used to make lovely

dressed.” For example, the recognizable

perfumes, delicate foliage can be used for

scent of a particular flower, plant or

certain medicines and foods, and

perhaps a scented handkerchief sent its

pungent smells can bestir mood. In

own unique message.

fact, they have been so outstanding in this regard, that there is no wonder that

Flowers adorned almost everything, hair,

mankind has attached significant

clothing, jewellery, gowns, men’s lapels,

meanings to them, actually going as far

home décor and china, and stationery, to

as to formulate a language all their own

name a few. A young man could either

called Floriography. This ‘language’ was

please or displease a lady by his

particularly utilized during the Victorian

gift of flowers.

era; however, flowers well into past generations have had religious and

Flowers would convey messages of love

symbolic meanings, and still do today.

or dislike upon which ones were given,

For example, there were references given

their sizes how they were held, and also

to flowers, herbs and plants in Biblical

grouped together. They had a silent

times, and during the Middle Ages,

meaning of their very own, and could

herbs were even believed by some to have

“say” what was not dared to be spoken.

magical powers. Therefore, they were

Even the manner in which flowers were

given a place of honour in the royal floral

sent had a special meaning.

gardens. The use of these floral ‘gardens’

Information on this is included in the

existed well into the Victorian era, and

‘Floral Etiquette’ chapter.

helped to create the elaborate list of 1.

meanings to describe these beloved

Dictionaries were written to explain

They had a silent meaning of their very own, and could “say” what was not dared to be spoken. Even the manner in which flowers were sent had a special meaning.

this language to all, and were especially

do something much easier and more

used by lovers. One could learn that

significant, he could give flowers!

Roses symbolized love, in general, but each variety and colour had each, his own meaning. The Lilies, generally symbolized beauty, but it also has many varieties, thus many diversified meanings. Consider the quandary that could have developed if lover’s used two different dictionaries, with each possibly having its own connotation. There

Speak with finesse and bring the language of flowers into your modern day romance. Incidentally, be sure to include an accompanying bouquet card, found in the back of this book, that explains their meaning. victorianbazarr.com

could, potentially, be some real misunderstandings. So, we see the importance of acquiring accurate information in this regard.

Those of the Victorian era liked to make up bouquets. Tussie-Mussies were generally very well liked gifts. These were small bouquets of flowers wrapped in a lace doily and tied with satin. The intrigue of secret messages sent this way, became a popular pastime. Today, one may find it difficult to express his true feelings. One may wonder, “How do I say I love you?” or “I want to be your friend” or “You are special.” If one is gifted in such a way, he could compose a song, or write a poem. Or, he could

2.

Fl o ra l

ETIQUETTE How to present your flowers correctly

02

Fl o ra l

ETIQUETTE

P R ES ENTAT IO N

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As well as individual flowers having specific meanings, the manner in which flowers were given did also. Depending on which hand flowers were presented in and their position, meant a yes or no answer. For example, handing over flowers with the right hand meant yes, while with the left meant no, so if a beau gave red roses the young lady might reciprocate by extracting one and handing it back with her right, or send him packing with a bud from her left.

Inverted flowers represented the opposite of the usual meaning. As well as the hand used to present flowers, a bouquets position also had meaning. Flowers presented in an upright position meant yes, in a downward position meant no.

3.

This section includes: 1. Information on creating your own Victorian Tussie Mussie 2. The appropriate way to give flowers as well as receive them

“ Gat her

the f l ower s

{ but spare the buds } �

- Andrew Marvell

4.

Cre a t i n g y o u r

TUSSY MUSSY

DEFI NI TI O N

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{Tussy Mussy: “A talking bouquet�} A Tussy Mussy is a small, hand-held bouquet popular in mid- 19th-century Victorian England as an accessory carried by fashionable ladies. Composed of mixed flowers and herbs and edged with a paper frill or greens, the arrangement was sometimes inserted into a silver filigree holder. When supplied by an admirer, a Tussy Mussy became a vehicle for the language of flowers.

5.

E QUI P ME N T: One pair of scissors Flowers, based on the message you wish to convey

INSTRUCTIONS

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Ribbon

ST E P 1

A lace doily

Create a small cluster of central flowers. Cut the central flowers to six inches long.

Hold one or two central flowers in one hand, and begin to add more flowers to the central cluster. Make sure the diameter of the cluster is around four inches and that the central flowers are creating a visual balance.

ST E P 2

Add filler flowers. To add variety to the Victorian Tussy Mussy, you must place filler flowers all the way around the central flowers. The best filler flowers are Baby’s Breath, Pansies, Violets, and Hydrangeas. Now, secure the Tussy Mussy with ribbon or string, making sure that the central flowers and the filler flowers are bunched up together in a neat and beautiful manner.

ST E P 3

Wrap the Tussy Mussy with a doily. You should wrap the doily around the Tussy Mussy, making sure you cover the stems. If you don’t have a doily, you can also make use of a handkerchief. Use it in the same way you use a doily. Or if you prefer, you can use any ribbon or lace. Run it from below the leaves, spiralling it all the way to the stems. Upon reaching the bottom, run it upwards to cover any exposed area. Now, make sure you finish off the Tussy Mussy with a ribbon and an accompanying bouquet card to explain the meaning. howtodothings.com

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Body

L A N G UAG E

P R ES ENTAT IO N

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With your left hand

NO

“ S o r r y I c a n’t b e w i t h y o u”

Presenting flowers with your left hand means no, as well as taking flowers with your left hand.

7.

With your right hand

YES “ Yo u r a f f e c t i o n s a re re t u r n e d�

Presenting flowers with your right hand means yes, as well as taking flowers with your right hand.

8.

The

F L OW E R S The Floriography alphabet and their meanings

03

The

F L OW E R S

A TO Z

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A is for Acacia meaning ‘Secret Love’.

Acacia trees prefer soil that

D is for Daffodil meaning ‘Unrequited Love’.

is not too wet. Though, this

Daffodils belong to the

plant grows quickly, it is a

genus Narcissus. Daffodil

short lived plant.

flowers have a trumpet shaped structure.

B is for Bluebell meaning ‘Humility’.

Bluebells grow in clusters

E is for Eglantine Rose meaning ‘A wound to heal’.

and are usually, but not

The Eglantine Rose is an

always, blue as the

agressive plant which

name implies.

grows in Central Otago, New Zealand.

C is for Carnation meaning ‘Bonds of affection’.

F is for Forget Me Not meaning ‘True Love’.

Forget Me Not refers to

9.

Carnations grow easily, and

plants of the genus

in a variety of conditions,

Myosotis. There are roughly

including rocky areas.

50 species in this genus.

The Language of Flowers was as important to people as being ‘well dressed.’

G is for Gardenia meaning ‘You’re Lovely’.

J is for Jonquil meaning ‘Affection returned’.

This flower demands

Jonquils are part of the

high humidity to thrive

Narcissus family and are

and bright (not direct)

very similar to Daffodils.

light. Many Gardenias are strongly scented.

H is for Honeysuckle meaning ‘Generous and devoted affection’.

The delightful fragrance of Honeysuckle, is strongest in the evening which attracts pollinating Moths.

K is for Kingcup meaning ‘Desire for riches’.

Kingcup is a herbaceous perrenial plant of the Buttercup family, native to marshes and wet woodland.

I is for Ivy meaning ‘Friendship’.

L is for Lavender meaning ‘Devotion’.

Ivy is a wild evergeen

Lavender is part of the

climbing vine that attaches

mint family, specifically the

itself to the back of trees

Lamiaceae family, the genus

and other surfaces.

containing 25-30 species.

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M is for Marigold meaning ‘Comforts the Heart’.

P is for Primrose meaning ‘Young Love’.

Marigolds come in different

and favoured wildflower

colours, yellow and orange

of England, has often been

being the most common.

celebrated in poetry.

N is for Nasturtium meaning ‘Conquest’.

Q is for Quince meaning ‘Temptation’.

Nasturtium’s peppery-

Quince is one of the earliest

flavored flowers are good

known fruits. For over

to eat and taste good in

4,000 years, Quince trees

salads. The flower buds and

have grown in Asia and the

seedpods are also edible.

Mediterranean.

O is for Orchid meaning ‘You flatter me’.

R is for Red Rose meaning ‘I Love You’.

The most important factors

The largest Rose ever bred

for success with Orchids are

was a red Rose measuring

temperature, light, water

approximately 33 inches

and fertilisation.

in diameter.

The primrose, a common

S is for Snowdrop meaning ‘Hope’.

There are 75 different

V is for Viscaria meaning ‘Will you dance with me.’

species of Snowdrops. They

The Viscaria flower also

are all white.

known as Ultraviolet, is a Perrenial flower.

T is for Tulip meaning ‘Fame’.

Tulips have been cultivated

W is for Water Lily meaning ‘Purity of heart.’

for about 500 years. They

The Water Lily is an object

have their origin from

used repeatedly in the oil

Central and Western Asia.

paintings of Claude Monet.

U is for Uvularia Grandiflora meaning ‘Good Luck’.

X is for Xeranthemum meaning ‘Cheerfulness under adversity.’

Uvularia grandiflora also

The Xeranthemum can be

known as a Bellwort is a

used for it’s nectar which is

plant in the family

said to have health benefits.

Colchicaceae.

12.

Y is for Yew meaning ‘Sorrow’.

The oldest tree in Europe is said to be the Fortingall Yew of Fortingall, Scotland, near Loch Tay. It is 3,000 years old.

Z is for Zinnia meaning ‘Thoughts of friends’.

Zinnias bloom from mid summer all the way until frost. Zinnias come in an array of colours.

thegardener.co.uk

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The

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