Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers

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After the success of Charlotte de La Tour’s flower dictionary, there was a flurry of copycat books in other countries. However, the meanings of flowers were not always consistent, and flower meanings were sometimes changed. The tuberose, which was the Persian symbol of voluptuousness, became “purity, peace and innocence.” During its peak in the United States, the language of flowers attracted the attention of popular writers and editors. Sarah Josepha Hale, longtime editor of the Ladies' Magazine and co-editor of Godey's Lady's Book, edited Flora's Interpreter in 1832; it continued in print through the 1860s. Catharine H. Waterman Esling wrote a long poem titled "The Language of Flowers", which first appeared in 1839 in her own language of flowers book, Flora's Lexicon; it continued in print through the 1860s. Lucy Hooper, an editor, novelist, poet, and playwright, included several of her flower poems in The Lady's Book of Flowers and Poetry, first published in 1841. Frances Sargent Osgood, a poet and friend of Edgar Allan Poe, first published The Poetry of Flowers and Flowers of Poetry in 1841, and it continued in print through the 1860s. The elegance and beauty of flowers have not dwindled—only our knowledge of their coded meanings. I hope this book, apart from offering a view into the history of floriography, will encourage readers to look at flowers and herbs in a new way, perhaps assigning their own meanings to the blooms that inspire them most. — Jessica Roux Here, a tradition known as selam started as a game in which Constantinople’s harem workers attached meanings and rhymes to flowers. It was a great way to communicate without the need for the written word, especially since many could not read or write at the time.

Language of flowers - Wikipedia

In floriography, orange tulips signify appreciation, while yellow tulips stand for sunshine and smiles. Put these two bloom colors together for a sunny, cheerful floral gift that says, “thank you, friend!” Flowers play an important role for Hindus. The prayer rite of puja stems from the word for flower and often involves offering flowers to the gods. For instance, the lotus symbolizes purity, wealth, and good fortune, while marigolds stand for love. Floriography in Eastern Cultures If your friend is far away, send them some zinnia. To the Victorians, these colorful blooms meant that you were thinking about an absent friend. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, French publishers began publishing “languages flower books which became a trendy genre. For example, the daffodil or jonquil from the Narcissus genus is a plant associated with several themes in different cultures.However, the French were the first to formalize and popularize the language of flowers by publishing Flower language books in the late 1700s and early 1800s. It created a whole new genre.

Floriography: Learn about the hidden meaning of flowers Floriography: Learn about the hidden meaning of flowers

The idea of sending a sexy secret code in flowers without saying a word was appealing.It allowed star-crossed lovers to discreetly communicate romantic desires, sentiments and secret messages through their specific floral choices. Tee hee hee. Pink peonies are also associated with success and achievements. The blooms’ many layers stand for wealth accumulation. The fragrant sweet pea sends a specific message: Thank you for the lovely time. These aromatic flowers are an excellent choice for a hostess gift or to give after you’ve been a guest at someone’s home. Flowers still have symbolic significance today, even if we’re not as obsessed with the intricacies of flower etiquette as the Victorians. We give red roses to our loved ones on Valentine’s Day, we wear poppies to commemorate Remembrance Day and we send wreaths as tributes to those who have passed away. Different cultures have been associating different meanings and symbols with flowers and plants for thousands of years.

Flash forward 45 years. Shortly after Lady Mary died in 1763, all her personal letters were published and became known as the Turkish Embassy Letters. How French Flower Dictionaries popularized the meanings, we attach to flowers. From RobertTyas, The Sentiment of flowers; or, Language of flora, 2ndedn(London: R.Tyas, 1841), p. 110.1stedn1836.Note for the plateby James Andrews: Plate IV, Forget-me-not-cypress–pimpernel – Forget me not, for, alas! We may never meet again. The trend spread across Europe, and floriography grew especially popular in Victorian-era England. In this famously buttoned-down (some say repressed) era, many sentiments could never be expressed directly in “polite” society. The language of flowers became a way for the upper class to send coded, secret messages.

Floriography Books - Goodreads

By the 1730s, Paris jewellers advertised these vases as“ Porte-bouquets” (bouquet holders). They were small gold and silver tubes lined with glass vials that could then be lined with sponges or moss to keep flowers fresh ( source). On display at the Paris Museum Other flowers associated with sympathy include lemon balm. Though the small white flowers are inconspicuous, the herb lends a fresh, pleasing scent to bouquets. Flowers have long played symbolic roles in ancient Chinese folklore and medicine. Magnolias were once the flower of royalty and a symbol of beauty. Red peonies symbolize fame and wealth, while chrysanthemums send the message of long life.

What is the “language of flowers?”

Floriography by Jessica Roux provides the reader with a neat and fascinating compilation of various flowers and their meaning in "the Language of Flowers" during the Victorian era. The illustrations provided for each flower are beautiful and if you don't know the flower in question, it makes you want to look them up. One of the rarest flower colors, blue blossoms, are often associated with feelings of peace, calm, and tranquility. When given in a bouquet, they can symbolize trust, openness, intimacy, and even safety. Across cultures, the like of blue roses may also be connected to mystery and expressions of sympathy. Yellow A question that remains is whether this was something that most everyone understood or was a secret language among only a definable group. Certainly, this is a Anglo-centric perspective but there are definite analogs in Europe and North America. Can anyone enlighten me further?