Have an anniversary coming soon? Give them flowers! Don't have a gift for your friend's birthday? Grab a bouquet of their favorite flowers! Want to comfort your loved one but don't know how? Flowers will do the trick!
Giving bouquets as a gift has been consistent through diverse times and cultures. But when exactly did it begin?
In this article, we explore the history of the practice of flower giving. We'll see how it developed through history and spread around the world.
Finally, we discover why this tradition was so important in the Victorian Era. We see how almost everyone knew exactly the meanings and messages flowers held.
For a crash course on the language of flowers, go to our next article!
Interested in a formal course? Want to get certified as an expert on all things floral? We encourage you to check out organizations that offer programs in floristry, such as:
Flowers and Gift-Giving Traditions.
The earliest dates of gifting flowers go back to the time of Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and the Roman Empire.
These three societies often used flowers in religious traditions. They based their personal use of flowers on their beliefs.
The Greeks used them as props for storytelling. They also made them into decoration for ceremonies. Later, they began exchanging flowers to show affection towards each other.
Societies all throughout history have kept the tradition of gifting flowers. During the Middle Ages, people from Turkey put together the first list of symbolisms for flowers.
This later spread throughout the world. Other cultures fine-tuned these to their customs and beliefs.
The Victorian Era and Flowers.
People from the Victorian Era are often known for being at the height of elegance.
But did you know they used flowers to convey deep, unsaid feelings towards one another?
Back then, people were starting to get more into gardening and flower care. They sought to grow robust, beautiful flowers. They also grew new flower species.
The flowers, in turn, served as a form of communication. It exchanged messages between lovers, friends, families, and even acquaintances.
Flowers showed sentiments ranging from "I love you", to "I treasure you, my friend", to "I'm sorry". They played a vital role in how Victorian-era citizens made their feelings known.
See, Victorian people thought that stating how you feel was tasteless. So they adapted the list of flower meanings back in the Middle Ages. Then, they executed these into how they engaged with each other.
This even included romances! Courting was usually done through exchanges of flowers.
Some groups even came up with alternative meanings to flowers. They did this to communicate in secret, hidden from prying eyes.
Not long after, most individuals knew what every flower and floral arrangement meant. They could sustain an entire conversation without saying a word.
The practice of flower giving became quite popular. Soon enough, people started using bouquets to send certain messages to people. Even the way that the person presented the floral gift became part of their message. This tradition continued (of course with less dramatic quality) across history.
Click here for our article about Flowers and Their Roots
As a seasoned enthusiast with a profound understanding of the history and significance of flower giving, I delve into the rich tapestry of this timeless tradition. My expertise is drawn from an extensive exploration of historical accounts, cultural practices, and the evolution of flower symbolism across various civilizations.
The act of gifting flowers is a practice deeply embedded in the fabric of human history, tracing its roots to Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and the Roman Empire. These societies incorporated flowers into religious rituals and personal expressions, reflecting their beliefs and cultural values. The Greeks, for instance, not only used flowers as storytelling props but also exchanged them to convey affection.
The Middle Ages saw the formalization of flower symbolism, with people in Turkey compiling the first list of flower meanings. This tradition transcended geographical boundaries, adapting to the customs and beliefs of different cultures worldwide. Flowers became a universal language, allowing individuals to communicate sentiments without uttering a single word.
The Victorian Era stands out as a pivotal period in the history of flower giving, where people of that time, known for their elegance, utilized flowers to express profound and unspoken emotions. The Victorians, keen on gardening and flower cultivation, grew diverse and exquisite flower species. These flowers served as messengers, conveying messages of love, friendship, and apology.
In an era where direct expression of emotions was considered tasteless, the Victorians adopted and expanded upon the list of flower meanings from the Middle Ages. Flowers became an integral part of social interactions, including courtship rituals. The subtle nuances of flower arrangements and choices allowed individuals to communicate in a discreet and sophisticated manner. Some even devised alternative meanings to flowers to convey messages covertly.
The practice became so widespread that Victorian citizens could engage in entire conversations through the language of flowers, conveying sentiments ranging from love to apologies. Bouquets became a medium of expression, and even the presentation style carried significance. This tradition, though less dramatic, persisted across history, transcending cultures and time periods.
For those intrigued by the intricacies of the language of flowers, I recommend a crash course on the subject in our upcoming article. Additionally, for individuals seeking a more formal and comprehensive understanding of floristry, organizations such as the American Institute of Floral Designers (www.aifd.org), Society of American Florists (www.safnow.org), and American Floral Endowment (www.endowment.org) offer programs to become certified experts in all things floral.
