Speak The Language Of Flowers

Posted by | Posted on 2:31 AM

By John Fisher

Since historical times, flowers have been used as a gesture of kindness. We usually gift them to those we care for. We send flowers to show them how special they are, to show admiration, to celebrate an occasion, or even to sympathize. What we don't know is that sending certain types of flowers, and even their colors, actually have meanings of their own.

The Language of Flowers

During medieval and Renaissance times, flowers were often given moral meanings. This is evident in artwork where saints are often shown with flowers that symbolize the saints' virtues. In an edition of Sixteenth Century Journal, Liana DeGirolami Cheney said that "some of the Christian symbols for Virginity or Chastity are the white rose, the myrtle, a vessel or vase, the lily, and the unicorn."

During Victorian times, flowers were used initially to create or add emotion. The language of flowers, sometimes referred to as floriography, began being used as a discreet form of communication. During the 18th century, sending messages in code using flowers became popular. Based on Persian Salaam, a Turkish secret language of flowers, a coded flower arrangement was sent to show feelings of attraction, even love.

Back in 1819, a book entirely about interpretations of flowers called "Le Language des Fleurs," was written by Madame Charlotte de la Tour. A similar book, "Language of Flowers" by Kate Greenaway, was written in 1884 and is still being used nowadays.

Japan also has a language of flowers, which they call "Hanakotoba." Greeting cards printed in Japan follow the Hanakotoba code, and still use the flower-language in popular culture such as in films and animation, like the anime program "Wei Kreuz."

Favorite Meanings of Flowers

Purchase or borrow a flower dictionary to see the various meanings and interpretations of flowers. Some of the most popular flowers and their corresponding meanings are written below:

* Buttercup - riches * Pink carnations - a woman's love * Chrysanthemum - love in general * Forget-me-not - true love * Lavender - devotion, distrust * Purple lilac - first emotion of love * White lily - purity * Peach blossom- long-life * Red rose - true love * Sunflower - pure and noble thoughts * Yellow tulip - hopeless love

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