Every woman knows the meaning of a gorgeous bouquet of a dozen red roses delivered to the office in the middle of the day. Everyone waits to see who the lucky woman is, and all the rest cannot deny at least a twinge of jealousy in their hearts. Someone loves this woman deeply and is not afraid to let the world know.
Now imagine a shy young lady familiar with the meaning of flowers receiving a small tightly wrapped bouquet of mixed flowers. She takes the grouping of flowers in hand, notes the different varieties, then smiles and blushes as she realizes the secret meaning. The other women in the office smile as they pass; oblivious to the hidden meaning of the secret message the girl has just received.
Flowers, herbs, and plants have given people much pleasure throughout the ages as a means of adornment, decoration, food, and medicine. Their beauty has the power to cheer an ill or downhearted friend. The medicinal powers can be used to soothe and heal. The aromas can bestir moods and create memories. Flowers have been used for their religious and symbolic meanings for millennia.
Biblical references were made to flowers, herbs, and plants and during the Middle Ages, herbs were believed by some to have magical powers. Royal gardens were maintained to ensure an abundance of these important flowers. Flowers and plants have come to signify specific meanings over the years, eventually developing into a language of their own.
During the reign of England's Queen Victoria, from 1837 to 1901, the special meanings of flowers grew in importance to people. Flowers were used to adorn almost everything, from gowns, lapels and hair to the home and decorations. A young man could send a message to his lady through flowers, communicating his feelings without words. A tussie-mussie was a small bouquet of selected flowers wrapped in a lace doily and tied with ribbon, a popular gift in Victorian times.
The Victorian era, a time of inhibited sexual expression, brought about the writing of dictionaries especially for conveying messages through flowers. The language that grew around flowers became known as "floriography". The dictionaries were useful to anyone but especially for lovers. The choice of flowers, the way in which they were grouped together, and how they were presented gave silent messages lovers dared not speak aloud. It was important that the references be accurate. Imagine the misunderstandings if two lovers were using different dictionaries to decode the secret messages.
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dictionaries have all but disappeared along with the prudish attitudes of the Victorian era, but the use of flowers to give a message remains popular. There are more plants and flowers with special meanings than there are flowers in a flower shop. Here are a few of the more common names to get you started.
Baby's Breath Innocence, Pure of Heart
Bird of Paradise Often given from a woman to a man as a symbol of faithfulness Calla Lily Magnificent beauty
Carnation (solid color) Yes
Carnation (striped) No, Refusal, Sorry I can't be with you
Daisy - Innocence
Fern (Maidenhair) Secret bond of love, Discretion
Heather (White) Good luck
Hydrangea A boaster, Heartlessness, You are cold
Iris I have a message for you
Lavender - Distrust
Lily Beauty, Elegance, Sweetness
Lily of the Valley Return of happiness
Marigold Despair or grief
Orchid Beauty, Luxury, Fragrance
Pansy, Purple You occupy my thoughts
Palm leaves - Victory
Parsley Festivity
Pineapple You are welcome
Poppy, red Consolation
Stephanotis Marital bliss
And the always popular Rose:
Red Love
Pink Friendship
Yellow Forgive and forget, I miss you
White I am worthy of you
Peach Marital Happiness, Cheerfulness
Lavender Grace
The sentiments expressed by flowers are an important tradition of complex meanings. It is difficult to site one source and hope for an accurate translation so I encourage you to explore the on-line lists of flowers and their meanings in more detail. Before you compose a secret message to another, check out the lists of flowers.
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