THE SECRET MESSAGE OF FLOWERS
When you next choose a bouquet of flowers for someone special, it’s good to know what you’re really saying
As pure white as the driven snow, or as flaming red as the sun. There is a cornucopia of colours and scents that range from the heady to the sublime. In fact, for every flower there’s an occasion and for every occasion there’s a flower. Whether they’re siting in a humble milk bottle for a vase, are worn in the hair by a bride, given by an expectant lover or are simply left to blossom in the garden. So it should come as no surprise that something so simple yet captivating has been used throughout the centuries as a means by which to imperceptibly communicate true feeling and intent.
Take the wedding bouquet for instance. Considered as a sign of happiness that was initially used to ward off bad spirits, a posy of flowers was used during The Black Death for this exact purpose, this tradition was then extended in Victorian times with both the bride and groom wearing garlands to signify new life, hope and fertility. Today, in the same manner that a knight would have worn his lady's colours, so too does the groom wears a flower from the bouquet in his buttonhole as a declaration of his love.
And with our attention still on weddings, daisies that are joined together and worn in the bride’s hair, convey a love that conquers all.
But sometimes the messaging cannot afford to be open and flagrant. During seemingly circumspect Victorian times, lovers would send secret messages to each other using flowers or small "talking bouquets," called nosegays or tussie-mussies.
So while you may be aware that the rose signifies love, you might not be aware that a flower with deep pink petals signaled deep appreciation, whilst a white blossom conveyed a secret romance. Iris the promise in love and the red tulip, perfect love. Lavender with its wonderful fragrance and purple flower signaled devotion, whilst a bloom with another wonderful scent, chamomile, indicated romantic interest. But if the flowers were taken in a left hand instead of a right, then the recipient was politely declining the offer.
The intrigue in using these ‘floral dictionaries’ captivated Victorians, but to our more direct modern attitudes, their subtlety may feel quaint.
However, if you’re thinking of indulging in some floral messaging, or floriography, it’s good to know what you’re really saying.
- Asters are considered to be a lucky charm
- Iris a promise in love
- Magnolias with a resplendent display of colour are linked to the love of nature
- Stephanotis to marital happines
- The climber Honeysuckle with bonds of love
- Baby's breath which we see in lots of flower bouquets, conveys purity of heart
- Pink carnations say "I'll never forget you"
- Yellow roses symbolise friendship