By Garry Gamber

Sweet flowers alone can say what passion fears revealing

Thomas Hood poem, The Language of Flowers

Flowers and bouquets of flowers have a meaning of their own.  Most of us know that a dozen red roses means, “Be mine.”  But did you know, for example, that a primrose means, “I can’t live without you,” or that a purple hyacinth means, “Please forgive me,” or that a pink carnation means, “I’ll never forget you,”  or that a gladiolus means, “Give me a break?”

Flower meanings have been used to convey ideas, feelings and messages for centuries.  The word, floriography, has been coined for the assignment of meaning to flowers.  There is a meaning to colors of flowers, to numbers of flowers, and to groups of flowers.  It is a silent language that has been largely lost to us through lack of use.

In addition to the obvious choices of color and variety, the language of flowers also includes the way flowers are worn or presented.  Presenting flowers upright conveys a positive meaning, but if they are presented upside down the meaning is the opposite.  If a ribbon is included with the flowers and is tied to the left then the meaning of the flowers refers to the giver, but if the ribbon is tied to the right then the meaning refers to the recipient.  Also, flowers can be used to answer questions.  When they are presented with the right hand the answer is “yes,” but when presented with the left hand the answer is “no.”

History

The Turks in the 17th century seemed to develop flower meanings.  In 1718 the wife of the British ambassador to Constantinople, Lady Mary Wortley, wrote a letter expounding on the “Secret Language of Flowers” that she had discovered during her visits to Turkey.  Europe quickly picked up on the concept.

In 1819 Louise Cortambert, under the pen name, Madame Charlotte de la Tour, wrote and published what seems to have been the first dictionary of the flower language entitled, Le Language des Fleurs.  It was a small book, but it became a popular reference on the subject.

During the Victorian era, the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901, the meaning and language of flowers became increasingly popular.  Victorian women especially picked up the silent language that allowed them to communicate feelings and meanings that the strict propriety of the times would not allow.  Tussie-mussies, a bouquet of flowers wrapped with a lace doily and tied with a satin ribbon became a popular and valued gift of the times.

In 1884 a whole book on the subject and entitled, The Language of Flowers, by Jean Marsh and illustrated by Kate Greenaway, was published in London.  It became popular and respected and has been the standard source for Victorian flower meaning ever since.

Selected Flower Meanings

Here are some selected flowers and their meanings, a short dictionary.

Almond flowers -- Hope
 
Anemone -- Forsaken
 
Aster -- Symbol of love

Balm -- Sympathy
 
Basil -- Best wishes
 
Bay leaf -- "I change but in death"
 
Bell flower, white -- Gratitude
 
Bergamot -- Irresistible
 
Bluebell -- Constancy
 
Borage -- Courage

Broom -- Humility
 
Campanula -- Gratitude
 
Carnation, pink -- I'll never forget you

Carnation, red -- My poor heart aches for you

Carnation, striped -- Refusal
 
China rose -- Beauty always new

Chrysanthemum -- Love
 
Clover, four leaved -- "Be mine"
 
Coreopsis -- Love at first sight
 
Cuckoo pint -- Ardor
 
Daffodil -- Regard
 
Daisy -- Innocence, new-born, "I share your sentiment"
 
Fennel -- Flattery
 
Fern -- Sincerity
 
Forget-Me-Not -- True love
 
Furze or Gorse -- Enduring affection
 
French Marigold -- Jealousy
 
Gardenia -- Ecstasy
 
Gentian -- Loveliness
 
Geranium -- "You are childish"
 
Hare bell -- Grief
 
Heartsease -- "I am always thinking of you"
 
Honeysuckle -- Bonds of love
 
Heather -- Admiration

Hyacinth -- I am sorry, Please forgive me
 
Ice Plant -- "Your appearance freezes me"
 
Ivy -- Fidelity, friendship, marriage
 
Jasmine -- Grace
 
Jonquil -- "I hope for return of affection"
 
Lavender -- Luck, devotion
 
Lemon Balm -- Sympathy

Lilac -- First love
 
Lily -- Purity, modesty
 
Lily of the Valley -- Purity, the return of happiness

Lily, Calla -- Beauty
 
Marigold -- Health, grief or despair
 
Marjoram -- Kindness, courtesy
 
Myrtle -- Fidelity
 
Oregano -- Joy

Orchid -- Love, beauty, refinement
 
Pansy -- Loving thoughts
 
Periwinkle -- Happy memory
 
Phlox -- Agreement
 
Poppy, red -- Consolation
 
Primrose -- I can't live without you

Rose, cabbage -- Ambassador of love
 
Rose, red -- Love
 
Rose, pink -- Grace, beauty
 
Rose, yellow -- Friendship
 
Rosemary -- Remembrance, constancy
 
Rue -- Contrition
 
Sage -- Gratitude, domestic virtue
 
Snowdrop -- Hope
 
Star of Bethlehem -- Purity
 
Sweet Pea -- Departure, tender memory
 
Sweet William -- Gallantry
 
Tuberose -- Voluptuousness
 
Tulip, red -- My perfect lover, Reclamation of love
 
Violet -- Loyalty, modesty, humility
 
Violet, blue -- Faithfulness
 
Wormwood -- Grief
 
Wheat -- Riches of the continuation of life
 
Willow, weeping -- Mourning
 
Wallflower -- Fidelity
 
Yew -- Sorrow


The Rose

The Rose is the flower whose meaning we most understand, but here are some details of the meaning of the Rose that may be of further interest.

Rose, Black – You are my obsession

Rose, Champagne – You are tender and loving

Rose, Leonidas – Sweet love

Rose, Nicole – You are graceful and elegant, aristocratic

Rose, Orange – You are my secret love

Rose, Pink – Brilliant complexion; the glow of your smile; perfect happiness

Rose, Red – Passionate love; I love you

Rose, Single Stems – Simplicity

Rose, White – I am worthy of you; spiritual love; Innocence and Purity; Secrecy and Silence

Rose, White and Red – We are inseparable

Rose, White and Red Mixed – Unity; Flower emblem of England

Rose, White, Dried – Death is preferable to loss of virtue

Rose, Yellow – Friendship; Jealousy; I am not worthy

Rose, Bridal – Happy Love

Rose, Dark Crimson – Mourning

Rose, Hibiscus – Delicate beauty

Rose, Tea – I’ll remember always

Rose, Thornless – Love at first sight

Roses, Bouquet of Mature Blooms – Gratitude


Multiple Roses

Single bloom red Rose – Love at first sight or I still love you

Single Rose, any color – Gratitude or simplicity

2 Roses – Mutual feelings

3 Roses – I love you

7 Roses – I’m infatuated with you

9 Roses – We’ll be together forever

10 Roses – You are perfect

11 Roses – You are my treasured one

12 Roses – Be mine

13 Roses – Friends forever

15 Roses – I’m truly sorry

20 Roses – I’m truly sincere towards you

21 Roses – I’m dedicated to you

24 Roses – Forever yours

25 Roses – Congratulations

50 Roses – Unconditional love

99 Roses – I will love you all the days of my life

108 Roses – Will you marry me?

999 Roses – I love you till the end of time


What To Do

With the lists above you should be able to assemble a meaningful gift of flowers or a bouquet that conveys a complex thought.  Wrap the flowers appropriately and present them in a significant manner.  Then, just to be certain that your efforts are not misinterpreted, include a card that fully explains the meaning of your flowers.

After a few flower presentations you should be able to drop the explanatory notes and begin enjoying and sharing the silent language of flowers.

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Garry Gamber is a public school teacher and entrepreneur. He writes articles about real estate, health and nutrition, and internet dating services. He is the owner of http://www.Anchorage-Homes.com and http://www.TheDatingAdvisor.com.

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