The Language of Flowers

The language of flowers started in Constantinople in the 1600s, and was brought to England in 1716 by Lady Mary Wortley Montague who had spent time in Turkey with her husband. The interest then moved to France where the Book Le Langage des Fleurs was printed with over 800 floral signs. Many were toned down in the English translation at the time of Queen Victoria because they were quite risque!

White rosebud - heart ignorant of love �Crocus - abuse not �Holly - Am I forgotten � Red carnation - Alas! for my poor heart �Red rose - bashful shame �Full red rose - beauty �Burgndy rose - unconscious beauty �Unique rose - call me not beautiful�Chrysanthemum - cheerfulness in old age �Buttercup - childishness �Great yellow daffodil - chivalry�Moss rosebud - confession of love �Red poppy - consolation �Red tulip - declaration of love �Mistletoe - difficulties, I surmount �Yellow carnation - rue, distain �Thornless rose - early attachment �Anemone - expectation �Scarlet poppy - extravagance �Blue violet - faithfulness �Purple lilac - first emotions of love �Forget-me-not -true love�Damask rose - freshness �White rose - I am worthy of you �Peach blossom - I am your captive �Iris - I have a message for you �White daisy - innocence �Yellow rose - jealousy �Dandelion - love's oracle �Lotus flower - estranged love �Ivy - marriage �Yellow iris - passion �Dog rose - pleasure and pain �Christmas rose - relieve my anxiety �Spanish jasmine - sensuality �Peony - shame �White poppy - sleep �Yellow chrysanthemum - slighted love �Amarylis - splendid beauty �Honeyflower - sweet and secret love �Pansy - thoughts of you�Zinnia - thoughts of absent friends �White and red rose together - unity �Pink carnation - woman's love �Lady slipper - win me ) �Marigold - vulger minded �Rosemary - your presence revives me �

Flowers may be combined and arranged so as to express even the nicest shades of sentiment. If a flower is offered "reversed'', its direct signification is likewise reversed, so that the flower now means the opposite. A rosebud divested of its thorns, but retaining its leaves, conveys the sentiment, "I fear no longer; I hope.'' Stripped of leaves and thorns, it signifies, "There is nothing to hope or fear.'' A full-blown rose placed over two buds, signifies "Secrecy''. " Yes,'' is implied by touching the flower given to the lips; "No,'' by pinching off a petal and casting it away. " I am,'' is expressed by a laurel leaf twined around the bouquet; "I have,'' by an ivy leaf folded together; "I offer you,'' by a leaf of Virginia creeper.

Combinations

�Moss Rosebud and Myrtle. - A confession of love.
�Mignonette and Coloured Daisy. - Your qualities surpass your charms of beauty.
�Lily of the Valley and Ferns. - Your unconscious sweetness has fascinated me.
�Yellow Rose, Broken Straw and Ivy. - Your jealousy has broken our friendship.
�Scarlet Geranium, Passion Flower, Purple Hyacinth, and Arbor Vitae. - I trust you will find consolation, through faith, in your sorrow; be assured of my unchanging friendship.
�Columbine, Day Lily, Broken Straw, Witch Hazel and Coloured Daisy. - Your folly and coquetry have broken the spell of your beauty.
�White Pink, Canary Grass and Laurel. - Your talent and perseverance will win you glory.
�Golden-rod, Monkshead, Sweet Pea and Forget-me-not.- Be cautious; danger is near; I depart soon; forget me not.

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