Language of flowers

For the indie pop band, see Language of Flowers (band). For the song written by the composer Edward Elgar, see The Language of Flowers.

Purple lilac symbolizes "first emotions of love" in the language of flowers.

The language of flowers, sometimes called florigraphy, was a Victorian-era means of communication in which various flowers and floral arrangements were used to send coded messages, allowing individuals to express feelings which otherwise could not be spoken. This language was most commonly communicated through Tussie-Mussies, an art which has a following today.^{[citation needed]}

The nuances of the language are now mostly forgotten, but red roses still imply passionate, romantic love and pink roses a lesser affection; white roses suggest virtue and chastity and yellow roses still stand for friendship or devotion. Also commonly known meanings are sunflowers, which can indicate either haughtiness or respect – they were the favorite flower of St. Julie Billiart for this reason. Gerbera (daisy) means innocence or purity. The iris, being named for the messenger of the gods in Greek mythology, still represents the sending of a message. An Anemone signifies disappearance of hope. A pansy signifies thought, a daffodil regard, and a strand of ivy fidelity.^{[citation needed]}

There are geographic variances. For example, in Texas yellow roses represent true and undying love.^{[citation needed]}

Symbolic meaning of flowers

Flower Meaning [1] Acacia Secret love Acanthus Art Aconite Misanthropy Agrimony Thankfulness Aloe Grief Almond Promise Amaranth (Globe) Immortal love Amaryllis Pride Ambrosia Love is reciprocated Anemone Forsaken, sickness, unfading love Angrec Royalty Apple blossom Preference Arborvitae Everlasting friendship Arbutus "You're the only one I love" Arum Ardor Asparagus Fascination Asphodel My regrets follow you to the grave Aster Symbol of love, daintiness, talisman of love,trusting Azalea Take Care, temperance, fragile, passion, Chinese symbols of womanhood Baby's breath Innocence, pure of heart Bachelor button Single blessedness, celibacy Balm Social intercourse or sympathy Balsam Ardent love Balsamine Impatience Bay wreath Glory Bumblebee Orchid Industry Begonia Beware, a fanciful nature Bellflower "Thinking of you" Bells of Ireland Luck Bird's-foot Trefoil Revenge Box Constancy Broom Humility Bulrush Docility Buttercup Riches Cabbage Profit Camellia japonica Unpretending excellence Campanula Gratitude Canterbury Bells Gratitude Carnation general Fascination; distinction; love red Deep romantic love, passion, "My heart aches for you," "Alas; for my poor heart!" green secret symbol of the followers of Oscar Wilde white Sweet and lovely, innocence, pure love, faithfulness pink A woman's love, a mother's love, "I'll never forget you," "Always on my mind" yellow rejection, disdain, "You have disappointed me" purple Capriciousness, whimsical, changeable, unreliability mauve Dreams of fantasy striped No, refusal, "Sorry I can't be with you" solid color Yes, affirmative Celandine Joys to come Cherry blossom A good education Transience of life (in Japan) Feminine beauty (in China) Chestnut "Do me justice" China aster Love of variety, fidelity, "I will think of you" Chrysanthemum red "I love" yellow Slighted love Coreopsis Always cheerful Cowslip Winning grace Clover red Industry white "I promise" Coriander Lust Cypress Death, mourning, despair, sorrow. Daffodil Uncertainty, chivalry, respect or unrequited love Dahlia Elegance and dignity Daisy general Innocence, loyal love, purity, faith, cheer, simplicity red Beauty unknown to possessor Dandelion Coquetry Delphinium The ability to transcend the bounds of space and time. Eglantine Rose A wound to heal Elderflower Compassion Fennel Strength or, as in Shakespeare's Hamlet, flattery and deceit Forget-me-not True love Fungus Resilience, loneliness, solitude, disgust Gardenia You're lovely, secret love, joy, sweet love, good luck Geranium Gentility Gorse Love in all seasons Grass Submission Heliotrope Devotion Hibiscus Rare beauty, delicate beauty Hollyhock Ambition Honeysuckle Devoted affection, bonds of love Houseleek Domestic economy

Flower Meaning Hydrangea Frigidness, heartlessness Iris Good news Ivy Dependence, endurance Jonquil "Return my affection" Laurestine A token Lavender Devotion, distrust Lemon blossom Discretion Lettuce Cold-hearted Lichen Solitude Lilac purple first emotion of love white youthful innocence, memories Lily white Purity scarlet High-souled aspirations orange Desire, passion Lily of the Valley Sweetness, Humility, Returning Happiness, Trustworthy Lime Blossom Fornication Lobelia Malevolence Lotus Purity, chastity and eloquence Love lies bleeding Hopelessness Magnolia Love of nature Mallow Consumed by love Marigold Pain and grief Mayflower Welcome Mignonette Worth Mint Suspicion Moonflower Dreaming of love Morning glory Love in vain Mullein Good-nature Nasturtium Patriotism Oak leaf Strength Oats Music Olive Peace Orchid Refined beauty Oxeye daisy Patience Peach blossom Long-life, generosity, and bridal hope Pear blossom Lasting friendship Peony Shame, bashfulness Prosperity, honor (in China) Masculinity, bravery (in Japan) Pitch pine blossom Philosophy Plum blossom Beauty and longevity Plumeria Perfection, springtime, new beginnings Primrose Eternal love Poppy general Eternal sleep, oblivion, imagination red Pleasure white Consolation, dreams, modern, peace yellow Wealth, success Rose red True love blue Mystery, attaining the impossible, love at first sight white Eternal love, silence or innocence, wistfulness, virtue, purity, secrecy, reverence and humility black Death, hatred, farewell, rejuvenation or rebirth yellow Friendship, jealousy, infidelity, or apology, a broken heart, intense emotion, dying love, extreme betrayal pink Grace dark pink Gratitude light pink Desire, passion, joy of life, youth, energy burgundy unconscious beauty coral or orange Desire, passion lavender (violet) Love at first sight red and white together United red and yellow together Joy, happiness and excitement thornless Love at first sight Rosemary Remembrance Rue Regret Sensitive Plant Sensitivity Snowdrop Consolation or hope Star of Bethlehem[disambiguation needed ] Hope Straw United Sunflower Pure and lofty thoughts Sweetbrier Simplicity Thorn-apple Disguise Thistle Nobility Thyme Thriftiness Tulip-tree Fame Tulip red Declaration of love yellow Hopeless love Violet blue Faithfulness white Modesty Viscaria (Lychnis viscaria) Invitation to dance Willow (creeping) Love forsaken Winged seeds (any kind) Messengers Witch-hazel A magic spell Wheat Wealth and prosperity

See also

• Blue rose
• Roses in culture
• Birthday flowers
• Hanakotoba - Japanese flower language

Notes

1. ^ Most of the meanings are taken from the book: The Complete Guide to Calligraphy: the Essential Reference for all Calligraphers. Oceana, Quantum Publishing. ISBN 0681288647. 

External links

• Various Flower meaning, history, symbology etc.
• Flowers ebook: The Flowers Personified, 1847
• Chapter Excerpts: History of the Language of Flowers
• Flower Language Bibliography (archive link, was dead)
• Flower Language Bibliography Current version of same authour's page
• Floriography - the Language of Flowers BBC h2g2 entry
• Abecedary and Abatina are not mentioned in original publications of the Language of Flowers
• Floriography Jewelry
• Vietnam Flower

Lists of flower meanings

• Various Flower meaning, history, symbology etc.
• Language of Flowers
• The Language of Flowers
• Victorian Bazaar list of flower meanings
• Flower Meanings by iFlorist
• Flowers Colors Meanings by Flower-Dictionary.com
• Full text scan of "Language of Flowers"; Greenaway, Kate, 1846-1901; via the Internet Archive