Flowers and their meanings
"Floriography", the language of flowers, has been a part of social custom for centuries. The origin of the language of flowers pre-dates Victorian times, as flowers have always had religious mythological and symbolic meanings. Victorian women elaborated on floriography, expressing their feelings within the boundaries of a strict etiquette.
Many sentiments that they could not show could be communicated this way. If the flowers were presented upright, they had a positive meaning, however if they were presented upside down, their meaning was the opposite.
More information and many more examples can be found in the book "The Language of Flowers" written originally by a Victorian lady, Miss Corruthers of Inverness, in 1879. The original flower dictionary was written in 1819 in Paris and was an overnight sensation.
Types of fowers and their meaning
- Artemesia: True Friendship
- Amaranth: Worth beyond beauty
- Bluebell: Love Everlasting/Delicacy and Humility
- Carnation Pink: Emblem of Mother's Day. Red: Admiration. White: Pure Love.
- Cyclamen: Resignation and Goodbye
- Daffodil: Emblem of Regard
- Daisy: Gentleness and Innocence
- Elderberry Blossom: Humility and Kindness
- Fern Sincerity
- Gillyflower Pink: Bonds of Affection
- Heather Purple: Admiration, Beauty and Solitude
- Ivy: Friendship
- Jasmine Yellow: Timidity and Modesty
- Lavender: Constancy
- Lily White: Majesty and Purity
- Marvel-Of-Peru: Flame of Love
- Orange Blossom "Your Purity Equals your Loveliness"
- Pansy: Thoughtful Recollection
- Rose Red: Love and Desire, White: Charm and Innocence.
- Salvia Blue: "I Think of You"
- Thyme: Courage
- Violet: Modesty and Simplicity
- Wallflower: Friendship and Adversity
- Yarrow: Healing
- Zinnia: Thoughts of Absent Friends