It is widely believed that the Victorians were the first to develop the language of flowers however, it was actually two women from Europe’s 1700s who kick-started the craze. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu and Aubry de la Mottraye travelled together through the Ottoman Empire and brought back their expertise in a hidden language made up of floral symbols.
Origins
“Florianography (or flowers in the word) was a wildly popular Victorian period craze which involved transmitting messages via flowers. Although it dwindled at the end of the nineteenth century, the concept of floral symbols is in use today. Whitney Lynn, a contemporary artist, designed an artwork for San Diego International Airport a project that utilized flowers with specific implications.
The trend of floriography began in Ottoman Turkey, and was brought to Europe through Lady Mary Wortley Montague and Seigneur Aubry de Mottraye. As the trend gained traction, many floriography dictionaries were published. They included botanical information, novelty products like calendars and lists of flower symbols. The meanings were derived from myths, mythology, and folklore (the relationship of the daffodil to egotism as an example) Some took their inspiration directly from the flower. It is interesting to note that the authors of these works often cited the Eastern culture known as Selam in their flower dictionaries.
Victorian Era
The language of flowers, also known as the language that was used to describe flowers, served as a subtle form of covert communications in Victorian society. The botanical code can convey love, desire or disdain. It allowed those in an era which was controlled by strict social conventions to communicate their sentiments with a manner that was acceptable to society.
books devoted to the flower language became popular in the first half of 19th century and dictionaries of flowers as well as their meanings emerged. The nuances in this flower language can vary depending upon the kind of flower that was used, the way it was presented or even the person that gave it. Expressions that were nuanced let room for interpretation and the ability to express creativity. More than 1,400 flowers, plants, trees, and plants are included in the floral vocabulary. Though the meanings of the words differed from culture some of the ideas were similar.
The Development of Symbolism
Since the earliest of times flowers have been utilized to convey deep messages about love, respect and sentiment. While the landscape changes and flowers become more widely cultivated new meanings emerge or discarded, and new meanings develop.
The flower language was popular during the 19th century England and North America. Authors wrote intuitive guides and dictionaries which linked a flower’s symbolic meaning to the flower. Dictionary books are typically beautifully illustrated and tied with sentimental dedications.
Many of the attributed symbols stemmed from mythology, folklore or religion. For instance, daffodils were believed to represent egotism. an inspiration from the tale of Narcissus and his falling in love with the reflection of his reflection as he swam in the pool. Others were influenced by the beauty of the flowers or the characteristics they possess. Like mimosas, they inspired feelings of purity as they do not open at night as well as being touch sensitive.
Cultural Influences
At the time of the Victorian Era, flower language bloomed as a means of subtle communications. Flower language was ideal at a time where explicit expressions of emotions were frowned at, and when the role of etiquette was a crucial one in the social interactions.
Magazines for women, such as Godey’s Ladies’ Book featured it often. It was also a very popular game played in hoa khai truong parlors where blindfolded people picked a flower out of a vase, to figure their fate, love or fortune.
During this time, there was a variety of flower dictionary publications that gave every flower had a particular purpose. The lexicons could be quite diverse, for instance, the hyacinth flower was believed to signify beauty as well as devotion, humility, and forgiveness. Their meanings are derived from a diverse array of sources that included Shakespearean association and literature from the classical period.
Modern
Flower symbols are still in use to this day. The practice is used by artists, editors, designers marketing, florists poets, and writers. It’s sometimes called floriography or the language of flowers.
It was at its peak during the Victorian period, floriography became a popular genre of literature. There were many books written about flowers, plants and even plants. Some included lists with the symbolism behind floral arrangements, plants and herb. Some were based upon legends or folklore. The example of the link with egotism and daffodils comes from Narcissus’s obsession with himself.
Flowers convey a vast variety of messages and sentiments. They can also be utilized to express different feelings. A passionate rose red represents feelings of love and passion, whereas the delicate white rose symbolizes pure innocence.