The Language of Flowers: What is the language of flowers?

The phlox flower meaning is appreciation. We appreciate your visit!

The Language of Flowers…it’s the word “the” that makes it sound so certain, as though there were just one meaning to each flower and one common worldwide language. The truth is that humans have been attributing meanings and symbolism to flowers for many centuries now, from the ancient Greeks and Turks, through India and China to Victorian-era England; and the meanings are not always consistent across the globe.

Take for example the chrysanthemum (aka “mum”):  the Victorian interpretation might be “truth” or “optimism”, while the Japanese might interpret the meaning as “long life” and “happiness”.  Or the peony: which the Victorian society might interpret as “anger”, while the ancient Greeks seemed to think the peony represented healing.  We use the word “might” because there is documentation of several meanings within these societies, and it isn’t always clear which were the most popular usage.

It is the Victorian use of flowers for communication which is most commonly referred to as the Language of Flowers.  In those days, flowers and floral arrangements were used to send coded messages, in a way that evaded the strict communication code between ladies and suitors of the time. The flower type and its color shaped the core of the meaning, though the presentation of the flower was equally important. If the blossom was presented facing upwards, a positive thought was intended. But an upside down blossom meant the opposite.  Flowers could even be used to answer a question – a flower handed over with the right hand meant “yes” and with the left meant “no”.

These Victorian suitors may also have benefitted from the fact that flowers in their beauty often say more than words can. In the early 1800’s, the poet Thomas Hood wrote, “sweet flowers alone can say what passion fears revealing.”  There was such a romance to it all, and what better to symbolize romance than flowers?

In the late 1800’s several, several dictionaries were published with the Victorian-era interpretations of flower meanings…and that is when is became more evident that there were sometimes several, inconsistent meanings of the same flower —  though it seems safe to say that the red rose has consistently represented love and romance.

Vanessa Diffenbaugh’s best-selling novel, The Language of Flowers, tells the story of a young woman from the foster-care system who uses the Victorian language of flowers to communicate with others and make sense of her troubled past. She also uses the duplicity of these flower meanings to help her main character, Victoria, recognize and deal with the unexpected. It’s a beautiful novel, and Vanessa is kind enough to share a free download of Victoria’s Dictionary of Flowers here.

And here is our list of the most popular flowers and their meanings.

Flowers have always been a heartfelt gift of friendship, love, and respect…and they help you send your message in a unique way.  We encourage you to have fun with the language of flowers…your flower gift recipient will be delighted.

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Thanks for reading… www.fieldofflowers.com   1.800.963.7374  (1.800.96.FRESH)

You can call, click or come in to one of our Field of Flowers flower markets in Boca Raton, Miami or Davie, FL for over 100 varieties in store every day. Let our blossoms, bouquets, and flower arrangements speak for you in their poetic language.

In store, online…and we deliver flowers throughout South Florida.