|
|
All are at one
now, roses and lovers,
Not knows of the cliffs and the fields and the sea.
Not a breath of the time that has been hovers
in the air now soft with the summers to be.
A Forsaken Garden
A.C.Swinburne
|
|
During
the Victorian era, flowers were employed
for more than mere decoration. Each flower
carried an
assigned meaning which was commonly
understood. Every sentiment gained
expression in one form or another by the
color , shape and scent of the blooms, and
thus flowers were used to communicate
covert - and sometimes not so covert - messages to
the recipient. This is yet another example of one of the
rather ingenious ways by which
people moved within the complex
social rules of the Victorian era which today is
known more for alleged prudishness than it is for its undeniable
inventiveness and creativity.
In
light of this sublime
notion,
there is more to a flower than just the
botanical sum of it. Take, for example,
the shade of a flower. While a red rose
implies love, a white rose pronounces "I am worthy of you"
and a yellow rose indicates
"jealousy" or a "diminishment of love". To make matters
even more intriguing,
different types or colors of flowers mixed together in a single
bouquet would suggest farther intimations.
Building on this, a
small hand-held bouquet - called a "tussie
mussie" - not only delivered
blooms and their sweet scent but would
contain a larger hidden sense, and an
intricate missive, well-nigh a poem or witty aphorism, could be
created just by the careful arrangement of flowers.
For
implications to be conveyed, the Victorians did not restrict
themselves to the blossoming flower. Pressed flowers placed in the
envelope or
pictures of flowers on stationery could have greater meaning
than the words in the letter.
It gave Victorians a great sense of relish to
enlist flowers in their endeavor to make their relationships -
amorous or not - speak a language all of their own.
 read
more |
| ACACIA
|
Concealed
Love |
|
ACANTHUS |
Arts, Artifice |
|
ACORN |
Nordic
Symbol of Life And Immortality |
|
AGAPANTHUS |
Love Letters |
|
ALLIUM |
Unity, Humility |
|
ALLSPICE |
Compassion |
|
ALMOND (FLOWERING)
|
Hope |
|
ALOE |
Grief, Sorrow, Bitterness |
|
ALYSSUM
|
Worthy Beyond Beauty |
|
AMARANTH |
Immortality, Unfading |
| AMARYLLIS
|
Splendid Beauty, Pride |
| AMBROSIA
|
Your Love
is Reciprocated |
| ANEMONE (GARDEN) |
Forsaken |
|
APPLE BLOSSOM |
Preference |
|
APRICOT FLOWER |
Distrust, Doubt |
|
ARBOR VITAE |
Unchanging Friendship |
| ARBUTUS
|
Thee Only Do I Love |
|
ARUM |
Ferocity, Ardor
|
|
ARUM LILY (a.k.a.
Calla Lily) |
Feminine Beauty,
Magnificent Beauty |
| ASTER
(aka.a. Callistephus) |
Afterthought |
|
ASTILBE |
I'll Still be Waiting |
|
AUTUMN LEAVES |
Melancholy |
| AZALEA
|
Temperance |
|
BABY'S BREATH |
Innocence |
| BACHELOR
BUTTON |
Hope In Love, Celibacy |
|
BALM OF GILEAD |
Cure, Healing, I am cured |
|
BASIL |
Hatred |
|
BAY LEAF |
I change but in death |
| BEGONIA
|
Beware,
Deformed |
|
BELLADONNA |
Silence |
| BELLS OF
IRELAND |
Good Luck |
|
BITTERSWEET |
Truth |
| BLUEBELL
|
Constancy, Kindness |
|
BOUVARDIA |
Enthusiasm |
|
BRIERS |
Envy |
|
BROOM |
Humility |
|
BROWALLIA |
Could you bear poverty ? |
|
BUTTERCUP |
Childishness |
|
CABBAGE |
Profit |
| CACTUS
|
Thou leavest me, Warmth |
|
CALADIUM |
Delight |
|
CALLA LILY |
Delicacy, Feminine Beauty, Magnificent Beauty |
| CAMELLIA
(BLUE) |
You're a flame in my heart |
| CAMELLIA
(PINK) |
Longing |
| CAMELLIA
(RED) |
Unpretentious Excellence |
| CAMELLIA
(WHITE) |
Unblemished Loveliness |
|
CAMOMILLE |
Strength in adversity |
|
CANDYTUFT
|
Indifference |
|
CANTERBURY BELL
|
Acknowledgement,
Gratitude |
|
CARDAMINE |
Paternal error |
| CARNATION
(PINK) |
I'll Never
Forget You |
| CARNATION
(RED) |
My Heart
Aches For You, Alas my poor heart |
| CARNATION
(PURPLE) |
Capriciousness |
| CARNATION
(SOLID COLOR) |
Yes |
| CARNATION
(STRIPED) |
Refusal,
Rejection |
| CARNATION
(WHITE) |
Innocence |
| CARNATION
(YELLOW) |
You Have
Disappointed Me, Rejection, Disdain |
|
CATALPA FLOWER |
Beware of the coquette |
| CATTAIL
|
Peace,
Prosperity |
|
CEDAR |
I live for thee |
|
CHERRY |
A good education |
|
CHESTNUT |
Do me justice |
|
CHRISTMAS ROSE |
Scandal |
|
CHRYSANTHEMUM (RED) |
Embracing Love |
|
CHRYSANTHEMUM (WHITE) |
Truth |
|
CHRYSANTHEMUM (YELLOW) |
Slighted
Love |
|
CINNAMON TREE |
Forgiveness of
transgression |
|
CINQUEFOIL
|
Maternal
affection |
|
CITRON |
Ill-natured beauty |
|
CLEMATIS
|
Mental Beauty,
Artifice |
|
CLOVER (FOUR LEAF) |
Be mine |
|
CLOVER (RED)
|
Industry |
|
CLOVER (WHITE)
|
I promise, think of me |
|
COCKS COMB
|
Foppery |
|
COLUMBINE (PURPLE)
|
Resolve to
win |
|
COLUMBINE (RED)
|
Anxious |
| COREOPSIS
|
Always cheerful |
|
CORIANDER |
Hidden merits |
|
CORN |
Abundance |
|
COSMOS |
Modesty |
| CROCUS
|
Cheerful, Abuse not |
| CUCUMBER |
Criticism |
| CYCLAMEN
|
Resignation, Good-bye |
|
CYPRESS |
Death, Mourning |
| DAFFODIL
|
Regard |
|
DAHLIA |
Dignity, Elegance |
| DAISY
|
Innocence,
Loyal Love, I'll Never Tell |
|
DAISY, MICHAELMAS |
Farewell |
| DANDELION |
Coquetry |
|
DELPHINIUM |
Swiftness |
| DEAD
LEAVES |
Sadness |
|
DIANTHUS |
Make haste |
|
DOGWOOD
|
Love undiminished by adversity |
|
EVERGREEN |
Poverty |
|
FENNEL |
Force |
| FERN
|
Fascination |
| FERN,
MAIDENHAIR |
Secret
Bond of Love |
|
FIG |
Argument, Longevity |
| FIR
|
Time |
| FLAX
|
Domesticity |
|
FLEUR DE LIS
|
Flame, Ardent Passion |
|
FORGET-ME-NOT |
True Love,
Forget me not |
| FORSYTHIA
|
Good-Naturedness,
Anticipation |
|
FOXGLOVE
|
Insincerity |
|
FRANCISCA LATIFOLIA |
Beware of a false friend |
|
FRENCH MARIGOLD
|
Jealousy |
|
FREESIA
|
Innocence |
|
FUCHSIA (SCARLET) |
Taste |
|
GALAX |
Encouragement |
|
GARDEN ANEMONE
|
Forsaken |
|
GARDEN MARIGOLD |
Uneasiness |
|
GARDEN RANUNCULUS
|
Riches |
| GARDENIA
|
Ecstacy |
| GERANIUM
|
Stupidity,
Folly |
|
GERANIUM, IVY |
I engage you for the next
dance |
|
GERANIUM, OAK LEAF |
True friendship |
| GLADIOLUS |
Ready armed, I'm Really Sincere, Flower of the Gladiators |
| GLOXINIA
|
Love at
First Sight |
|
GRAPE VINE |
Intemperance |
| GRASS
|
Utility, Submission |
|
HAWTHORNE |
Hope |
|
HAZEL |
Reconciliation, Healing |
| HEATHER
(LAVENDER) |
Admiration, Solitude |
| HEATHER
(WHITE) |
Protection, Wishes Will Come True |
|
HELIOTROPE |
Devotion |
|
HELLEBORE |
Scandal |
|
HEMLOCK |
You will be my death |
| HOLLY
|
Foresight |
|
HOLLYHOCK |
Ambition |
|
HONEYSUCKLE |
Spirit ambition, devoted
affection |
|
HOP |
Injustice |
|
HORTENSIA |
You are cold |
| HYACINTH
(GENERAL) |
Games and
Sports, Rashness |
| HYACINTH
(BLUE) |
Constancy |
| HYACINTH
(PURPLE) |
I am
Sorry, Please Forgive Me, Sorrow |
| HYACINTH
(RED OR PINK) |
Play |
| HYACINTH
(WHITE) |
I'll Pray for You |
| HYACINTH
(YELLOW) |
Jealousy |
| HYDRANGEA
|
Vanity, a
boaster, heartlessness |
| IRIS
|
Message, I have a message
for you |
| IVY
|
Fidelity,
Wedded Love |
| IVY SPRIG
OF WHITE TENDRILS |
Anxious to
please |
|
IVY LEAF |
Friendship |
|
IVY VINE |
Matrimony |
|
JACOB'S LADDER |
Come down |
|
JASMINE (WHITE) |
Amiability |
|
JASMINE (YELLOW) |
Grace and elegance |
| JONQUIL
|
Affection
Returned, Desire for Affection Returned |
|
JUNIPER
|
Protection,
succor |
|
LADY'S SLIPPER |
Win me and wear me |
|
LANTANA |
Rigor |
|
LARKSPUR (PINK) |
Fickleness,
Infidelity |
|
LAVENDER |
Distrust |
|
LETTUCE |
Cold-heartedness |
|
LICHEN |
Dejection, solitude |
|
LICORICE |
I declare against you |
|
LILAC (PURPLE) |
First emotion of love |
|
LILAC (WHITE) |
Youthful candor |
| LILY
(WHITE) |
Virginity,
Purity, Majesty, It's Heavenly to be with You |
| LILY
(YELLOW) |
I'm
Walking on Air, False and Gay |
| LILY
(CALLA) |
Feminine beauty |
| LILY (DAY)
|
Coquetry,
Chinese Emblem for Mother |
| LILY
(EUCHARIS) |
Maiden
Charms |
| LILY
(TIGER) |
Wealth,
Pride |
| LILY OF
THE VALLEY |
Return of happiness, Ladder To Heaven |
|
LONGI LILY (a.k.a. LILY
LONGIFORUM) |
Modesty, Purity |
|
LOTUS FLOWER |
Estranged love |
|
LOTUS LEAF |
Recantation |
|
LUPINE |
Imagination, Dejection |
| MAGNOLIA
|
Love of nature |
|
MAJORAM |
Blushes |
|
MALLOW |
Kindness |
|
MAPLE |
Reserve |
| MARIGOLD
|
Cruelty,
Grief, Jealousy |
|
MAYFLOWER |
Welcome |
|
MIGNIONETTE
|
Your Charms Surpass |
|
MILKWEED |
Hope in misery |
|
MIMOSA |
Sensitivity |
|
MINT |
Virtue |
| MISTLETOE
|
I Surmount Difficulties,
Affection |
| MONKSHOOD
|
Beware, A
Deadly Foe is Near |
|
MORNING GLORY |
Coquetry |
| MOSS
|
Maternal
Love |
|
MOURNING BRIDE
|
Unfortunate Attachment |
|
MULBERRY |
I shall not survive you |
|
MUSHROOM |
Suspicion |
|
MYRRH |
Gladness |
| MYRTLE
|
Love in absence |
| NARCISSUS
|
Egotism |
| NASTURTIUM
|
Conquest,
Victory in Battle, Patriotism |
|
NETTLE |
Cruelty |
|
NETTLE, BURNING |
Slander |
|
OAK |
Hospitality |
|
OATS |
The witching soul of music |
| OLEANDER
|
Caution |
|
OLIVE |
Peace |
| ORANGE
BLOSSOM |
Innocence,
Purity |
| ORANGE
MOCK |
Deceit |
| ORCHID
|
Love,
Beauty, Refinement, Beautiful Lady, Chinese Symbol for Many Children |
| ORCHID (CATTLEYA)
|
Mature
Charm |
| PALM
LEAVES |
Victory
and Success |
|
PANSY |
Thoughts |
|
PARSLEY |
Entertainment, Festivity |
|
PASSION FLOWER |
Piety, Religiosity |
|
PEACH BLOSSOM |
I am your captive |
|
PEAR TREE |
Comfort |
|
PENNYROYAL |
Flee away ! |
| PEONY
|
Bashfulness |
|
PERIWINKLE (BLUE) |
Early friendship |
|
PERIWINKLE (WHITE) |
Pleasant recollection |
|
PERSIMMON |
Bury me among nature's
beauty |
| PETUNIA
|
Resentment, Anger |
|
PHLOX |
Soul Unity |
|
PIMPERNEL |
Change |
| PINE
|
Hope, Pity |
|
POINSETTIA |
Be of good cheer |
|
POMEGRANATE |
Foolishness |
| POPPY
(GENERAL) |
Eternal
Sleep, Oblivion, Imagination |
| POPPY
(RED) |
Pleasure |
| POPPY
(WHITE) |
Consolation |
| POPPY
(YELLOW) |
Wealth,
Success |
|
POTATO |
Benevolence |
| PRIMROSE
|
Silent Love |
| PRIMROSE
(EVENING) |
Inconstancy |
|
PRIMROSE (RED) |
Unpatronized merit |
|
PRIVET |
Prohibition |
|
PUMKIN |
Coarseness, Grossness |
|
QUEEN ANNE'S LACE |
Haven |
|
QUINCE |
Temptation |
|
RANUNCULUS |
Bedazzled |
|
RASPBERRY |
Remorse |
|
RHODODENDRON |
Beware |
|
RHUBARB |
Advice |
| ROSE
(BRIDAL) |
Happy Love |
| ROSE (DARK
CRIMSON) |
Mourning |
| ROSE
(HIBISCUS) |
Delicate
Beauty |
| ROSE
(LEAF) |
You May
Hope |
| ROSE
(PINK) |
Perfect
Happiness, Please Believe Me |
| ROSE (RED)
|
Love |
|
ROSE (DEEP RED) |
Bashful shame |
| ROSE (TEA)
|
I'll
Remember Always |
| ROSE (THORNLESS)
|
Love at
First Sight |
| ROSE
(WHITE) |
Innocence
and Purity, I am Worthy of You, You're Heavenly, Secrecy and Silence |
| ROSE
(WHITE AND RED MIXED) |
Unity,
Flower Emblem of England |
| ROSE
(WHITE- WITHERED) |
Death is
Preferable to Loss of Virtue |
| ROSE
(YELLOW) |
Decrease
of Love, Jealousy, Try to Care |
| ROSEBUD
|
Beauty and
Youth, A Heart Innocent of Love |
| ROSEBUD
(RED) |
Pure and
Lovely |
| ROSEBUD
(WHITE) |
Girlhood |
| ROSEBUD
(MOSS) |
Confessions of Love |
| ROSES
(Bouquet of Mature Blooms) |
Gratitude |
| ROSES
(Single Full Bloom) |
I Love
You, I Still Love You |
| ROSES
( Garland or Crown of ) |
Beware of
Virtue; Reward of Merit; Crown, Symbol of Superior Merit |
| ROSES,
(Musk Cluster)
|
Charming |
|
ROSEMARY |
Remembrance
|
|
RUDBECKIA |
Justice |
|
SAGE |
Domestic Virtue |
|
SAFFRON |
Beware of excess, Do not
abuse |
|
SAINT JOHN'S WORT |
You are a prophet,
superstition |
|
SCABIOUS |
Unfortunate Love,
Widowhood |
|
SHAMROCK |
Lightheartedness |
| SMILAX
|
Loveliness |
| SNAPDRAGON
|
Deception,
Presumtiousness |
|
SNOWBALL |
Bound |
|
SPEEDWELL |
Fidelity |
| SPIDER
FLOWER |
Elope with
Me |
|
STAR OF BETHLEHEM |
Purity |
|
STATICE |
Remembrance |
|
STEPHANOTIS |
You boast too much |
| STOCK
|
Lasting Beauty |
|
STRAW |
Agreement |
|
STRAW (BROKEN) |
Quarrel |
|
STRAWBERRY |
Perfect Excellence |
|
SUNFLOWER (a.k.a.
Helianthus) (DWARF) |
Adoration |
|
SUNFLOWER (a.k.a.
Helianthus) (TALL) |
Haughtiness |
|
SWEET BASIL |
Wellwishing |
|
SWEETBRIAR |
I wound to heal |
| SWEETPEA
|
Good-bye,
Blissful Pleasure, Thank You for a Lovely Time |
|
SYCAMORE |
Curiosity |
|
SYRINGIA |
Counterfeit, Uncertainty |
|
THISTLE |
Austerity, Sternness |
|
THISTLE (SCOTCH) |
Retaliation |
|
THYME |
Activity |
|
TREFOIL |
Revenge |
|
TRUMPET FLOWER |
Dangerous pleasure |
|
TUBEROSE |
Dangerous Pleasure |
| TULIP
(GENERAL) |
Perfect
Lover, Frame, Flower Emblem of Holland |
| TULIP
(RED) |
Believe
Me, Declaration of Love |
| TULIP
(VARIEGATED) |
Beautiful
Eyes |
| TULIP
(YELLOW) |
There's
Sunshine in Your Smile, Are You My Love ? |
|
TURNIP |
Charity |
|
VALERIAN |
Accommodating disposition |
|
VERBENA (PINK) |
Family union |
|
VERBENA (PURPLE) |
Regret |
|
VERBENA (WHITE) |
Pray for me |
|
VERONICA |
Fidelity |
|
VERVAIN |
Enchantment |
|
VINE |
Intoxication |
| VIOLET
|
Modesty |
| VIOLET
(BLUE) |
Watchfulness, Faithfulness, I'll Always Be True |
| VIOLET
(WHITE) |
Let's Take
a Chance |
|
VISCARIA |
Will You Dance With Me ? |
|
WALL FLOWER |
Fidelity In Adversity |
|
WALNUT |
Stratagem, Intellect |
|
WATER LILY |
Purity Of Heart |
|
WAX FLOWER |
Riches |
|
WEEPING WILLOW |
Mourning |
|
WHEAT |
Prosperity |
|
WISTERIA |
Welcome To A Stranger |
|
WITCH HAZEL |
A spell |
|
YARROW |
Healing |
|
YEW |
Sorrow |
| ZINNIA
(MAGENTA) |
Lasting
Affection |
| ZINNIA
(MIXED) |
Thought of absent friend
(s), memories |
| ZINNIA
(SCARLET) |
Constancy |
| ZINNIA
(WHITE) |
Goodness |
| ZINNIA
(YELLOW) |
Daily
Remembrance |
| This tabulation of
Victorian meanings of flowers is based on the following 19th
century publications (below). We have synthesized these
compilations and chosen the majority meaning for each flower /
plant. Contemporary Reference added (bottom).
 One should always
leave some room for regional meanings when letting flowers,
herbs and other greens do the talking, although it might recommend
itself to make certain that the addressee is keenly aware of the
particular regional meaning or he or she might come to quite
different conclusions than intended.
Chauncey, Mary, ed. The Floral Gift,
from Nature and the Heart. New York: Leavitt & Allen, 1853.
Our Deportment, or the Manners, Conduct, and Dress of
the Most Refined Society; including Forms for Letters, Invitations, Etc.,
Etc. Also, Valuable Suggestions on Home Culture and Training. Compiled
from the Latest Reliable Authorities, by John H. Young, A.M.
Detroit: F.B. Dickerson & Co., 1883.
Hill, Thos. E. Hill's Manual of Social and Business
Forms. Chicago: Hill Standard Book Co., 1883.
Kate Greenaway's Language of Flowers, 1885.
(reprinted: Smithmark Publishers, 1978)
Robinson, Nugent. Collier's Cyclopedia of Commercial and
Social Information and Treasury of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge.
New York: P. F. Collier, Publisher, 1892.
Parsons' Hand-Book of Forms: A Compendium of Business and
Social Rules and a Complete Work of Reference and Self-Instruction, with
Illustrations, 13th ed. Battle Creek, MI: The Central Manufacturing
Co., 1899.
Contemporary Reference
Shane Connolly, The Secret Language Of Flowers,
Rediscovering Traditional Meanings, Rizzoli International , New York,
2004
Marina Heilmeyer, The Language Of
Flowers, Symbols And Myth, Prestel 2001 |
|