Do you know flowers have special meanings? It's true. According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, ancient cultures from the Greeks to the Chinese—and the Romans and Egyptians, too—assigned each flower meanings. For example, the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, as well as her Roman equivalent, Venus, were associated with roses. In medieval art, lilies came to be represent the Virgin Mary, and therefore purity. This "symbolic language of flowers" was used in literature, too, including the works of William Shakespeare. In act IV of Hamlet, poor Ophelia hands out posies including rosemary (remembrance), columbine (foolishness), and violets (faithfulness) to communicate feelings and thoughts she could not.
So, the next time your plan your flower garden, or send a beautiful bouquet to a loved one, think about what you're really saying. Are you sending a not-so-hidden message? The Victorians were experts at this, using flowers rather than words to reveal their emotions. Why go through the uncomfortable process of turning down a suitor, after all, when you could just send a yellow carnation to express disdain? Want to learn more about what those bewitching blooms you just received really mean? Read on—and then be sure to check out the best English Garden Ideas to Transform Your Backyard Into a Charming Oasis.
Daisies
Dependable and classic, these white daises grow every spring and and continue to bloom until fall. They represent innocence and hope, making them the perfect option for gifting to someone who may need some support and encouragement.
Forget-Me-Not
As the name implies, these small and delicate beauties symbolize true love memories. They're a sweet gesture and reminder of never-ending love.
Snapdragons
Named for the dragon's mouth shape the flower makes when its sides are gently pressed together, snapdragons are said to symbolize graciousness, as well as deception. The latter attribute might have something to do with the old wives' tale that concealing a snapdragon somewhere on your body makes you fascinating to others.
Bluebells
In Victorian times, bluebells stood for kindness. Now they're known for representing care and warmth, as well as humility.
Cosmos
This charming flower signified "joy in love and life." Aww!
Red Roses
The quintessential Valentine's classic is the gold standard for a reason: The red rose symbolizes love, making it a truly romantic keepsake.
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Delphiniums
Named after the Greek world for dolphin, these lovely conical-shaped flowers—which are said to resemble the playful sea mammal—are also known as larkspurs. They represent joy, lightheartedness, verve, and vivacity, making them the perfect gift to perk up someone who is feeling low.
Tulips
These stunners are a declaration of love. Creating arrangements is easy with tulips, whether they're featured as a single color, in a cheerful mix of tone on tone blooms, or in combinations of contrasting hues. Arrange tulips in a formal vase, or tuck them into a Mason jar and allow them to drape.
Peonies
The voluminous petals make us swoon. Who would have guessed that they represent "anger?"
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Calla Lilies
Traditionally a symbol of marriage, white calla lilies denote chastity, honesty and innocence. The flowers, which are named after the Greek word for beauty, come in a variety of colors. Each hue offers a different meaning, like purple for passion, and yellow for gratitude.
Anemones
These brightly colored wildflowers, popular in wedding bouquets, signify anticipation—perhaps because they close up at night and reopen in the morning. The most common anemone shade is white, which represents sincerity, no doubt due to its especially delicate looks.
Striped Carnations
Don't add striped carnations to your bouquet, as they mean "I cannot be with you." Harsh!
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As a seasoned horticulturist and floral enthusiast with a deep passion for the language of flowers, I've spent years exploring the rich history and cultural significance attached to various blooms. My expertise extends beyond mere botany, delving into the symbolic meanings that flowers have held for different civilizations throughout history.
The article you've shared beautifully touches upon the fascinating tradition known as the "language of flowers." This practice, also referred to as floriography, involves ascribing specific meanings and emotions to different flowers, allowing individuals to convey sentiments without uttering a single word. Drawing from my comprehensive knowledge, I'll provide insights into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Symbolic Language of Flowers: The article highlights the existence of a symbolic language of flowers, a tradition embraced by diverse ancient cultures such as the Greeks, Chinese, Romans, and Egyptians. Flowers were assigned meanings, creating a nuanced form of communication.
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Association of Flowers with Deities: It mentions the association of roses with the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, and her Roman counterpart, Venus. This association underscores the cultural and mythological connections that certain flowers held.
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Medieval Art and Symbolism: Lilies are discussed in the context of medieval art, where they came to represent the Virgin Mary and purity. This showcases how flowers became powerful symbols embedded in religious and artistic narratives.
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Literary References, Shakespeare's Hamlet: The article cites William Shakespeare's "Hamlet," particularly Act IV, where Ophelia uses flowers like rosemary, columbine, and violets to convey emotions. This emphasizes the integration of the language of flowers into literature.
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Victorian Era and Floral Communication: The Victorians are recognized for their expertise in using flowers to convey emotions. The article suggests that they preferred this subtle form of communication over direct verbal expressions.
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Specific Flowers and Their Meanings: The article provides insights into the meanings associated with specific flowers, such as daisies (innocence and hope), forget-me-nots (true love memories), snapdragons (graciousness and deception), bluebells (kindness), cosmos (joy in love and life), red roses (love), delphiniums (joy and lightheartedness), tulips (declaration of love), peonies (representing anger), calla lilies (symbol of marriage, with different colors conveying varied meanings), anemones (signifying anticipation), and striped carnations (indicating rejection).
This information serves as a glimpse into the captivating world of floral symbolism, where each blossom becomes a vessel for unspoken emotions and sentiments. Whether planning a garden or selecting a bouquet, understanding the language of flowers adds a layer of depth and intention to the act of giving and receiving blooms.
