Since ancient times, flowers have been used as a profession of kindness. We usually present them to those we love. We send flowers to show them how special they are, to show admiration, to celebrate occasions, or even to sympathize. What we don't know is that giving certain types of flowers, and even their colors, actually have definitions of their own.
Floriography: (Language Of Flowers)
During medieval & Renaissance times, flowers were often given moral meanings. This is evident in art where saints are often portrayed with flowers that symbolize the saints' virtues. "Some of the Christian symbols for Virginity or Chastity are the white rose, the myrtle, a vessel or vase, the lily, and the unicorn," says Liana DeGirolami Cheney in an edition of Sixteenth Century Journal.
Back in the Victorian era, flowers began to create or add emotion. The language of flowers, often referred to as floriography, began being used as a discreet form of communication. In the 18th century, sending messages in code using flowers became popular. Based on a Turkish secret language of flowers, known as Persian Salaam, a coded flower arrangement could be sent to express feelings of attraction or even love.
A book entirely about flower meanings by Madame Charlotte de la Tour, "Le Language des Fleurs," dates back to 1819. A similar book, "Language of Flowers" by Kate Greenaway, was written in 1884 and is still being used nowadays.
Japan also has a language of flowers, which they call "Hanakotoba." Greeting cards in Japan use the Hanakotoba code, and still use the flower-language in popular culture such as in movies and cartoons, like the anime program "Wei Kreuz."
Popular Flower Meanings
Buy or borrow a flower dictionary to see the different meanings and interpretations of flowers. Some of the most well-known flowers and their corresponding meanings are written below:
Buttercup - riches Pink carnations - a woman's love Chrysanthemum - love in general Forget-me-not - true love Lavender - devotion, distrust Purple lilac - first emotion of love White lily - purity Peach blossom- long-life Red rose - true love Sunflower - pure and lofty thoughts Yellow tulip - hopeless love - 29954
Floriography: (Language Of Flowers)
During medieval & Renaissance times, flowers were often given moral meanings. This is evident in art where saints are often portrayed with flowers that symbolize the saints' virtues. "Some of the Christian symbols for Virginity or Chastity are the white rose, the myrtle, a vessel or vase, the lily, and the unicorn," says Liana DeGirolami Cheney in an edition of Sixteenth Century Journal.
Back in the Victorian era, flowers began to create or add emotion. The language of flowers, often referred to as floriography, began being used as a discreet form of communication. In the 18th century, sending messages in code using flowers became popular. Based on a Turkish secret language of flowers, known as Persian Salaam, a coded flower arrangement could be sent to express feelings of attraction or even love.
A book entirely about flower meanings by Madame Charlotte de la Tour, "Le Language des Fleurs," dates back to 1819. A similar book, "Language of Flowers" by Kate Greenaway, was written in 1884 and is still being used nowadays.
Japan also has a language of flowers, which they call "Hanakotoba." Greeting cards in Japan use the Hanakotoba code, and still use the flower-language in popular culture such as in movies and cartoons, like the anime program "Wei Kreuz."
Popular Flower Meanings
Buy or borrow a flower dictionary to see the different meanings and interpretations of flowers. Some of the most well-known flowers and their corresponding meanings are written below:
Buttercup - riches Pink carnations - a woman's love Chrysanthemum - love in general Forget-me-not - true love Lavender - devotion, distrust Purple lilac - first emotion of love White lily - purity Peach blossom- long-life Red rose - true love Sunflower - pure and lofty thoughts Yellow tulip - hopeless love - 29954
