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
L A N G UAG E o f f l owe r s
CONTENTS
{
{
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
L A N G UAG E o f f l owe r s
FLOR I OGR A PHY
{
{
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
{
{
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
{
{
{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
{
{
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
6.
Body
L A N G UAG E
P R ES ENTAT IO N
{
{
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
{
{
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.
10.
11.
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
14.
15.
The
L A N G UAG E o f f l owe r s