The Victorian language of flowers and their meaning

Nature has provided us with beautiful and colorful flowers, each with its own petal patterns and peculiar structure. Flowers and plants are some of the most intriguing immobile beings on our planet. Despite the stillness of their organisms, they establish a subtle but complex network of communication between themselves. Human beings are incapable of understanding this organic connection and that is why they have given each one a meaning, creating a language of flowers: Floriography.

What is Floriography?

In the Victorian era, communication did not flow as quickly as in our era. The transmission of messages from one to another occurred only orally; the labyrinthine communication networks that we have today did not exist. It is difficult to understand the context since we are used to sending messages in a very simple way. For example, if you want to show affection, just send a heart emoji. But how could affection be shown without words in Victorian times? Exactly, with .

Today this custom still persists, giving red roses is an act of love that opens emotional and passionate possibilities without even saying a word. The difference is that today, love is not taboo, but at that time lovers had to live their romances in the dark and out of sight of society.

So what is Floriography and what is its meaning? Due to the taboos of that time, little by little a coded communication system was created through flowers; Floriography. Thus, the world of passions could be experienced through hidden letters and without the need to say a single word.

Meaning of Floriography

We might think that the meaning of Floriography and sending certain types of flowers to a recipient cannot hide such a complex message, however, the opposite is true. The meanings of Floriography not only depended on the type of flower, but also on the context and the way in which it was delivered. For example, receiving a flower turned upside down represented the opposite meaning to that originally known. The form of delivery was another coded message: Receiving with the right hand was an affirmative response, while receiving with the left hand was a denial.

In this way, the signals sent could become so complex that in fact, in the 19th century there were flower dictionaries to identify the meaning of each one. These are the meanings of the best-known flowers:

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Basil: abhorrence.

Yellow wallflower: faithfulness in adversity.

Almond tree: indiscretion, hope, awakening.

Poppy: fertility, resurrection, eternal.

Saffron: knowledge of excess, light, greatness, wisdom.

Orange blossom: purity, innocence, eternal love.

White azalea: comfort, romance.

Azucena: innocent heart, purity, virginity.

Burdock: boredom.

Begonia: cordiality, shyness, innocence, loyalty in love. Dark thoughts.

Cala: beauty, sophistication, pride.

Calendula: passion, creativity, cruelty, grief, jealousy, happiness.

Camelia: I will always love you.

Cherry tree: little lover, how ephemeral life is.

Yellow carnation: disdain.

Wild Carnation: woman’s love.

Chrysanthemum: eternity.

Dahlia: instability.

Dandelion: fidelity, joy.

AND

Spinach: vitality.

Plum blossom: keep your promise.

Fleurs-de-lis: flame, burning passion.

Lotus flower: mystery, truth, spiritual purity. Forgetfulness, distant love.

Apple blossom: preference.

Freesia: welcome, protection, tranquility.

Fuchsia: taste, kindness.

Gardenia: Secret Love

Gentian: You are unfair

Dark Geranium: Melancholy

Climbing Geranium: Bride’s Favor

Yellow sunflower: you are my sun. I only have eyes for you, and like the sunflower, I will always turn towards you. Fidelity in love. Admiration.

Yellow gladiolus: loving invitation.

Wisteria: I cling to you

Sweet Pea: You are unfair

Heliotrope: Devotion, desire for friendship

Hibiscus: Delicate beauty

Ivy: Fidelity in marriage

St. Anthony’s Herb: Pretension

Fennel: Strength

Hypericum: Animosity

Swab: Cleaning

Hydrangea: Whimsy

Lilac – Lilac Helenio: Tears

White Iris: Hope

Blue iris: Good news

Yellow Hyacinth: Jealousy

Purple Hyacinth: Regret, affliction

Odorous Jonquil: I wish that affection returns

Laurel flower: Glory, ambition

Lavender: Constancy

Lilac: Humility

Lily of the Valley: Return of happiness

Lily: Greetings

Yellow lilies: Loving you makes me happy

Blue lily: Tender love.

White lilies: I love you and trust you

Mauve lily: Your eyes drive me crazy. Desire to seduce the loved one.

Orange lilies: I burn with love for you

Red lilies: Burning love.

Lotus: Eloquence

Lunaria: Sincerity

Magnolia: Love of nature, sympathy, nobility, perseverance and dignity

Wild Mallow: Mildness

Blue Daisy: I am faithful to you.

White and pink daisies: I only have eyes for you

Margaret: Symbolizes innocence and purity

Quince: Temptation

Mint: Virtue

Mimosa: Youthful joy

Myrtle: True love

Mistletoe: I overcome my difficulties

Narcissus Orchid: Selfishness

Neguilla: Courtesy

Water lily: Purity of heart

Forget-me-not: Forget-me-not

EITHER

Olive tree: Peace

Orchid: A beauty

Nettle: You are cruel

Blue thought: I trust in your love.

Multicolored thoughts: Think of me as I do of you.

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