Beginners Guide To The Victorian Language Of Flowers
THE VICTORIAN LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS
The Victorian language of flowers was made popular in the 19th century by the Victorians but became formalised as a system of communication between lovers in the early 18th century.
The English author Lady Mary Wortley Montagu discovered the hidden meaning that could be concealed in a bouquet of flowers.
Bouquets containing floral messages were a safe and secret way of sending loving thoughts, a promise, warning or instruction.
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“The first meaning is the general sentiment behind the flower and the second longer phase is the actual message contained by each flower” from The Mammoth Book Of Ancient Wisdom by Cassandra Easson
ACACIA - Friendship “I value our friendship very much”
ALMOND BLOSSOM - Unwelcome advances “Your attentions are displeasing to me”
ANEMONE - Anticipation “I hope to see you very soon”
APPLE BLOSSOM - Admiration “You are both beautiful and worthy of respect”
AZALEA - Caution “Be careful we are not seen together”
BEE ORCHID - Misunderstanding “Forgive me. You misunderstood my words”
BEGONIA - Warning “We must hide our love. We are being watched”
BLUEBELL - Constancy “I will be faithful to you”
BROOM/GORSE - Devotion “My only aim is to make you happy”
BULRUSH - Discretion “Be more subtle in your approach”
BUTTERCUP - Riches “All I own I will share with you”
CAMELLIA - Courage “Be brave in adversity”
CAMPION - Love after dark “Meet me at dusk”
CARNATION (PINK) - Encouragement “Thank you for your token/message. It was welcome”
CARNATION (RED) - Intense Love “I must see you very soon. Your absence is too painful to bear”
CARNATION (STRIPED) - Refusal “I cannot see you again”
CARNATION (WHITE) - Affection “I have fond feelings for you”
CARNATION (YELLOW) - Disdain “You have proved unworthy of my affection”
CHERRY BLOSSOM - Growth “May our love grow a little each day”
CHRYSANTHEMUM (BROWN) - Friendship “Let us still be friends, even if love has faded”
CHRYSANTHEMUM (RED) - Passion “I love and desire you”
CHRYSANTHEMUM (YELLOW) - Discouragement “My heart belongs to another”
CHRYSANTHEMUM (WHITE) - Truth “I will never lie to you”
CLOVER - Fortune “May luck and health shine on you”
CORNFLOWER - Delicacy “I am vulnerable, so be gentle with my feelings”
CROCUS - Youthful Gladness “You make me feel young again”
CYCLAMEN - Protection “I will keep you from all harm”
DAFFODIL - Regrets “I am sorry. Can we try again?”
DAHLIA - Instability “Your changing moods make me uncertain how to approach you”
DAISY (FIELD) - Innocence “You are my first real love”
DAISY (DOUBLE) - Mutual Love “Your love is reciprocated”
DAISY (MICHELMAS) - Parting “It is better we do not meet again”
DANDELION - The Oracle “The future is ours”
EVENING PRIMROSE - Inconstancy “Your love is not for me alone”
FERNS - Meetings “Meet me”
FLAX - Appreciation “Thank you for your kindness”
FORGET-ME-NOT - Remembrance “Do not forget our love”
GERANIUM (DARK) - Melancholy “I am sad”
GERANIUM (PINK) - Uncertainty “Please explain your intentions”
GERANIUM (RED) - Choice “I choose you rather than any other”
GRASSES - Submission “I accept the way things must be”
HAREBELL - Hope “I hope you may change your mind”
HIBISCUS - Gentle Beauty “Your gentle nature is matched only by your beauty”
HOLLYHOCK (WHITE) - Ambition “I want to succeed”
HONEYSUCKLE - Commitment “Accept this token of my love”
HYACINTH - Lost Love “I regret our separation”
HYDRANGEA - Inconstancy “Why have you changed your mind?”
IRIS - Communication “I need to see you soon. I have a message I must give you”
JASMINE - Dreams Of Desire “I desire you night and day”
JONQUIL - Appeal “Please answer my question”
LAVENDER - Love Returned “I love you too”
LILAC - The First Stirrings Of Love “You have awakened new emotions in me”
LILY - Purity “My love for you is spiritual”
LILY OF THE VALLEY - Return Of Happiness “I had to go away, but I will come back soon”
MARIGOLD - Unhappiness “Your jealousy is destroying our relationship”
MIMOSA - Sensitivity “I understand your feelings”
ORANGE BLOSSOM - Chastity “I seek a permanent commitment”
ORCHID - Abundance “You will want for nothing with me”
PANSIES - Fond Memories “Remember the happy times we spent together”
PASSION FLOWER - Spiritual Love “We are twin souls”
PEONY - Forgiveness “Please forgive me for my insensitivity”
POPPY - Sleep “Life will seem better tomorrow”
ROSE (PINK) - Shyness “I am afraid to show you my feelings”
ROSE (RED) - Love “I will love you with all my heart”
ROSE (WHITE) - Silence “Our love must remain a secret”
ROSE (YELLOW) - Envy “I am jealous”
SNAPDRAGON - Rejection “You mean nothing to me now”
SNOWDROP - Consolation “At least we have each other”
STAR OF BETHLEHEM - Mending Quarrels “Can we forget the harsh words we spoke?”
SUNFLOWER - Obsession With Money “You cannot buy my love”
TULIP (RED) - Declaration Of Love “I want to tell the world how much I love you”
TULIP (YELLOW) - Unrequited Love “Do you not care for me at all?”
VERBENA - Enchantment “You have cast a spell over me”
VIOLET - Trust “I will not betray your trust”
WALLFLOWER - Faithfulness In Misfortune “I will love you in sad times as well as happy ones”
YLANG YLANG - Euphoria “I am intoxicated with joy”
