The Language of Flowers
Kate Greenaway’s Famous Language of Flowers
First published in 1884!
Perhaps speaking French is “impossible” or maybe (said with a French shrug) but there is a universal language not spoken. It’s symbolic and there is a meaning behind each flower. Can you imagine the amount of flowers and then the amount of words they speak? So how can you communicate your secret or subtle nuanced message to your partner, the guests at the wedding or perhaps a message of peace and love? Simply by choosing certain flowers that not only work with your wedding palette in colors but also have meaning behind them. For example, my wedding bouquet I had lots of ivy. I loved ivy, I had stenciled ivy in my kitchen-I loved how it drapes as a greenery. So, ivy also has a meaning; Affection, Friendship, Fidelity.
Here are some flowers that are often found in bridal bouquets and their meaning:
Delphinium (Belladona) -Silence
White Carnation- Innocence, Pure love, Women’s good luck gift
Pink Carnation-I’ll never forget you
Daffodil-Regard, Unequalled Love
Fern-Magic, Fascination, Secret bonds of love
Hydrangea-Gratitude for being understood; Frigidity and heartlessness
Larkspur-Open heart, levity, lightness, fickleness (pink or simple varieties)
Lilac-Joy of youth
Lily of the Valley-Sweetness, Tears of the Virgin Mary, Humility
Peony-Bashful, Happy Life or Shame
Pink Rose-Happiness, grace, gentleness
White rose: purity, innocence, reverence, a new beginning, a fresh start.
Red rose: love, I love you
Deep, dark crimson rose: mourning
Yellow rose: jealousy, infidelity
Orange rose: desire and enthusiasm
Lavender rose: love at first sight
Peach or Coral Rose: friendship, modesty, sympathy
White Rose-Innocence, Heavenly, I’m worthy of you
Rosemary-Remembrance
Snapdragon-Deception, Graciousness
This list is obviously not exhaustive.
The Victorians were credited with having developed this secret language of love and messaging. But this concept of using flowers to communicate certain ideas for thousands of years. It was formally known as florioraphy- the language of love. The Bible has meaning behind many of its references and classic paintings from before the Renaissance reveal a hidden meaning such as a pomegranite or an olive branch.
If you dissect the bouquet that Kate Middleton carried when marrying Prince William you will see that there was a lot of meaning in their choice of flowers; Lily of the Valley: means trustworthy return of happiness. Sweet William: the name of Kate’s groom and a technical meaning for gallantry. Hyacinth: is “the constancy of love.” Myrtle: This is a royal tradition to carry a spring of myrtle in a wedding bouquet. Each bride has carried this tradition since Queen Victoria coming from Queen Victoria’s own 170-year-old garden and is the emblem of love and marriage.
Posies are small floral bouquets with history from the 1800’s.
Another word for posy is a tussie mussie!
Adding a message to your bouquet can not only be fun but a memorable and loving act towards others. Why not explain your personal floral language in your wedding program or give party favors of a mini tussie mussie or posy with a message for your guests. If you’d like help with creating a bouquet worthy of poets, write to me for a list! What is your message?
