Nature has endowed us with beautiful and colorful flowers, each with its peculiar petal patterns and structure. Flowers and plants are some of the most intriguing immobile beings that our planet has, despite the stillness of their organisms they establish a subtle but complex communication network among themselves. The human being is incapable of understanding this organic connection and that is why he has given a meaning to each one, coming to create a language of flowers: Floriography.
Photo: Oleg Oprisco
What is Floriography?
In Victorian times, communication did not flow as quickly as it does in our era. The transmission of messages from one to another was given only orally, the labyrinthine communication networks that we have today did not exist. It is difficult to understand the context since we are used to sending messages in a very simple way. For example, if you want to show affection, just send a emoji from heart. But how could affection be shown without words in Victorian times? Exactly, with flowers.
Today this custom still persists, giving red roses is an act of love that opens emotional and passionate possibilities without even saying a word. The difference is that today, love is not taboo, but at that time lovers had to live their romances in the dark and out of sight of society.
So what is Floriography and what is its meaning? Due to the taboos of that time, little by little a coded communication system was created through flowers; the Floriography. Thus, the world of passions could be lived through hidden missives and without the need to say a single word.
Oleg Oprisco
Meaning of Floriography
We might think that the meaning of Floriography and sending certain types of flowers to a recipient cannot hide such a complex message, however, it is quite the opposite. The meanings of Floriography depended not only on the type of flower, but also on the context and the way in which it was delivered. Thus, for example, receiving a flower turned upside down represented the opposite meaning to the originally known one. The form of delivery was another coded message: Receiving with the right hand was an affirmative answer, while receiving with the left hand meant a negative.
In this way, the signals sent could become so complex that in fact, in the 19th century there were flower dictionaries to be able to identify the meaning of each one. These are the meanings of the best-known flowers:
A
Basil: abhorrence.
Yellow wallflower: fidelity in adversity.
Almond tree: indiscretion, hope, awakening.
Poppy: fertility, resurrection, eternal sleep.
Saffron: knowledge of excess, light, greatness, wisdom.
Orange blossom: purity, innocence, eternal love.
White azalea: consolation, romance.
Azucena: innocent heart, purity, virginity.
B.
Burdock: boredom.
Begonia: cordiality, shyness, innocence, loyalty in love. Dark thoughts.
C.
Calla: beauty, sophistication, pride.
Calendula: passion, creativity, cruelty, sorrow, jealousy, happiness.
Camellia: I will always love you.
Cherry tree: little lover, how ephemeral life is.
Yellow carnation: disdain.
Wild Carnation: woman’s love.
Chrysanthemum: eternity.
D.
Dahlia: instability.
Dandelion: fidelity, joy.
AND
Spinach: vitality.
F
Plum blossom: keep your promise.
Lily flowers: flame, burning passion.
Lotus flower: mystery, truth, spiritual purity. Oblivion, distant love.
Apple blossom: preference.
Freesia: welcome, protection, tranquility.
Fuchsia: taste, friendliness.
G.
Gardenia: secret love
Gentian: You are unfair
Dark Geranium: Melancholy
Climbing Geranium: Bride’s Favor
Yellow sunflower: you are my sunshine. I only have eyes for you, and like the sunflower, I will always turn towards you. Fidelity in love. Admiration.
Yellow gladiolus: loving invitation.
Wisteria: I cling to you
Sweet Pea: You are unfair
h
Heliotrope: Devotion, desire for friendship
Hibiscus: delicate beauty
Ivy: Fidelity in marriage
St Anthony’s Wort: Pretense
Fennel: Strength
Hypericum: Animosity
swab: cleaning
Hydrangea: Caprice
Lilac – Lilac Helenio: Tears
Yo
White Iris: Hope
Blue Iris: Good News
J
Yellow Hyacinth: Jealousy
Purple Hyacinth: Sorrow, affliction
Oloroso jonquil: I want the affection to return
L
Laurel flower: Glory, ambition
Lavender: Constancy
Lilac: Humility
Lily of the Valley: Return of Happiness
Lily: Regards
Yellow Lilies: Loving you makes me happy
Blue lily: Tender love.
White lilies: I love you and I trust you
Mauve lily: Your eyes drive me crazy. Desire to seduce the loved one.
Orange lilies: I burn with love for you
Red lilies: Burning love.
Lotus: Eloquence
Lunaria: Sincerity
m
Magnolia: Love of nature, sympathy, nobility, perseverance and dignity
Wild Mallow: Gentleness
Blue Daisy: I am faithful to you.
White and Pink Daisies: I Only Have Eyes for You
Daisy: Symbolizes innocence and purity
Quince: Temptation
Mint: Virtue
Mimosa: Youthful Joy
Myrtle: true love
Mistletoe: I overcome my difficulties
No.
Daffodil Orchid: Selfishness
Black: Kindness
Water lily: Purity of heart
forget me not: forget me not
EITHER
Olive Tree: Peace
Orchid: A beauty
Nettle: You are cruel
P
Blue Thought: I trust in your love.
Multicolored Thoughts: Think of me as I do of you.
Pink thought: I am faithful to you.
Red peony: I want you in a burning way.
Pink Peony: I love you but I’m too shy to tell you
Phlox: Unanimity
Platycodon: unconditional love
Polyanthus: Trust
Spring: Grace
Pulsatila: You can not pretend anything
R.
Ranunculus: Ingratitude
Rhododendron: Danger
Rosemary: I remember
Yellow roses: weakening of love, jealousy
White and Red Rose: Mixed feelings
Lavender roses: I have fallen in love with you
Intense red rose: Love for life.
Thornless Rose: Fearless
White Rose Bud: Innocent in love
Red Rose Bud: Purity
S
Sage: Domestic Virtue
Weeping Willow: Woe
Creeping Willow: Unrequited Love
Elder Sabina: Help
Elder: Fervor
Silene Gallica: Young Love
you
Tamarisk: Crime
Yew: Sorrow
Thyme: Constancy
Slotter: Regard, chivalry
White Clover: Think of me
Of Four Leaves: Be mine
Clover: Vengeance
Trinitarian: Perplexity
Yellow Tulips: Hopeless Love
White tulip: My love for you is extreme
Double tulip: We will succeed as a couple
Marbled Tulips: You have beautiful eyes
Orange Tulip: Grant my wish
Multicolored tulips: I dream of a crazy and extravagant love
OR
Ulmaria: Futility
V
Goldenrod: Cheer up
Verbena: Charm
Veronica: Fidelity
Viperera: Falsehood
Periwinkle: Friendship
Parma Violet: Let me love you
Double purple: I share your love (or your friendship)
z
Zinnia: Memory of absent friends
Keep reading: Guide to zodiacal herbs: the plant of your sign and its energetic uses
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