The language of flowers, sometimes called floriography, is a means of cryptological communication through the use or arrangement of flowers. A meaning has been attributed to flowers for thousands of years, and some form of floriography has been practised in traditional cultures throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Interest in floriography soared in Victorian England and in the United States during the 19th century. Gifts of blooms, plants, and specific floral arrangements were used to send a coded message to the recipient, allowing the sender to express feelings which could not be spoken aloud in Victorian society. Armed with floral dictionaries, Victorians often exchanged small "talking bouquets".
For Inktober 2017, I created one ink drawing everyday, sharing the meaning behind 31 flowers.
Day 1 - Violet
Violets were very popular among the Greek, symbolising the love between Zeus and his priestess.
Day 2 - Fuchsia
Rich in nectar, the fuchsia flowers attract hummingbirds.
Day 3 - Daisy
Daisies are symbol of innocence, new beginnings, purity and true love.
Day 4 - Lavender
Known for its extensive medicinal properties - in particular with soothing inflammatory conditions, aiding in sleep and in the treatment of several neurological disorders -, lavender is a symbol of calm and relaxation.
Day 5 - Sunflower
Tall sunflowers symbolise dignity and pride. Dwarf sunflowers are related to a feeling of gratitude.
Day 6 - Lotus
It's amazing how such a delicate flower can emerge from the murkiest lake, at the most adverse conditions. Symbol of purity and rebirth, the Lotus flower is a reminder of hope.
Day 7 - Orchid
During the Victorian era, orchids were displayed as a sign of luxury and a means to exhibit refined taste.
Day 8 - Tulip
This flower's meaning depends heavily on its colour:
Yellow tulips mean hopeless love.
Bright red tulips symbolise passion and perfect love.
Purple tulips are related to royalty, abundance and prosperity.
A black tulip is the queen of the night, symbolising sophistication and elegance.
Day 9 - Pansy
In Victorian England, the pansy flower was used for secret courting, it was a way of saying, 'I'm thinking about you'. Pansies symbolise love or admiration for someone.
Day 10 - Petunia
These flowers line up many streets of Dublin and even Leiria and their meaning can be quite contradictory. In Victorian weddings, petunias verbalised 'your company is soothing or peaceful', but in other circumstances they can also symbolise anger and resentment. Above all, petunias represent transformation, due to their rare natural hybridisation process which brings to life a mix of colours in a single vase.
Day 11 - Rose
The eternal flower of love. During the Victorian era, it was common to send roses as a message. Spikeless roses meant there was nothing to fear; a single rose symbolised simplicity; two roses bounded together meant commitment; an open rose between two rosebuds suggested secrecy; a 12-flower bouquet was a love declaration; a bouquet with red and white roses meant union and a bouquet with yellow and red roses said congratulations.
Day 12 - Sweet Pea
The famous flowers from Dr Mendel's genetic experiences. A native of Sicily, the Sweet Pea is a symbol of gratitude for a lovely time when leaving someone's home. These deliciously scented flowers can also mean delicate or blissful pleasure.
Day 13 - Magnolia
Magnolias represent the most beautiful primal instincts: Love for nature, sympathy and dignity. These fascinating flowers are of great interest to botanical science due to their primal reproductive and anatomical structure. In fact, the most ancient fossils of angiosperms (flowering plants) show flowers which are incredibly similar to magnolias.
Day 14 - Hydrangea
These flowers that are so characteristic of Azorean landscapes are actually considered a threat to Azorean native flora. These flowers are poisonous and their colours vary due to the soil's pH: blue flowers grow in acidic soils and pink flowers grow in alkaline soils.
Day 15 - Dahlia
Despite its negative connotation to the famous brutal murder of Elizabeth Short, nicknamed The Black Dahlia - these flowers represent elegance and subtlety.
Day 16 - Poppy
Who hasn't made poppy dolls when you were kids?
Symbol of imagination and dreams, poppies are the origin of opium.
Symbol of imagination and dreams, poppies are the origin of opium.
Day 17 - Peony
Deeply connected to healing and used for medicinal purposes, the peony is also a symbol of life and true love in marriage.
Day 18 - Rosemary
Rosemary is known for many therapeutic properties and being a great addition to a meal.
As a symbol of trust, loyalty and good mood, many people believe that keeping rosemary under your pillow will keep the nightmares away.
As a symbol of trust, loyalty and good mood, many people believe that keeping rosemary under your pillow will keep the nightmares away.
Day 19 - Gentian
Known for being quite temperamental, the origin behind these flowers' symbolism might have been a disappointed gardener - 'You are unjust'.
Day 20 - Primrose
These delicate, simple flowers bloom in early spring and symbolise young love. In the Victorian era, they were a nice way of saying 'I can't live without you'. There is an English superstition that any number of primroses other than 13 can bring bad luck, so here go 13 primroses to wish you good luck!
Day 21 - Anthurium
Always walk towards the future and leave the past behind, says the Anthurium.
Day 22 - Dandelion
Make an effort to spread joy like the dandelion spreads their seeds, across long distances through strong winds and storms.
Day 23 - Hyacinth
According to Greek Mythology, Hyakinthos was a handsome young Spartan admired by Apollo and Zephyrus. The young man was accidentally killed, caught in between an imprudent jealous fight between the two gods. The flower hyacinth then burst from the ground, where the young Hyakinthos died. White hyacinths symbolise beauty and youth, yellow hyacinths represent jealousy and purple hyacinths sadly and humbly say 'I'm sorry'.
Day 24 - Iris
Iris was a messenger carrying the words of the Greek gods to people. You can offer these flowers as an omen for good health and wisdom.
Day 25 - Daffodil
According to the Greek Mythology, Narcissus was a beautiful and self-centred young man who fell in love with his own beauty. One day, as he was leaning down towards a spring to admire his own reflection, he fell on the water and tragically drowned.
The gods then gave life to the beautiful flower Narcissus (or daffodil), which blossoms next to water, honouring the mesmerising Narcissus.
The gods then gave life to the beautiful flower Narcissus (or daffodil), which blossoms next to water, honouring the mesmerising Narcissus.
Day 26 - Camellia
Camellias are roses' eternal rivals, as roses are scented yet thorny, while camellias are soft yet scentless.
Camellia's foliage stays bright and green even during the winter, hence this flower's symbolism of loyalty.
Camellia's foliage stays bright and green even during the winter, hence this flower's symbolism of loyalty.
Day 27 - Cardoon
Known as a national symbol of Scotland, some people say that these flowers avoided a war, as the Vikings carelessly stepped on thistles and got hurt.
Day 28 - Gerbera
Gerberas come in a wide variety of vibrant colours, hence their symbolism of joy and cheerfulness.
Day 29 - Amaranthus
'Wear me and I shall bring you fame'.
The amaranthus used to take part in Aztec rituals; these flowers are known to be more beautiful and delicate after harvested, which makes them a symbol of eternal life.
The amaranthus used to take part in Aztec rituals; these flowers are known to be more beautiful and delicate after harvested, which makes them a symbol of eternal life.
Day 30 - Jasmine
The sweet and intense scent of jasmine flowers acts as an aphrodisiac with a soothing and relaxing feel.
Day 31 - Carnation
In Greek Mythology, the Carnation is compared to Zeus, Father of Gods and Men, due to its beauty and features. During the Renaissance, this flower was used in literature and poetry to represent men while roses represented women.
In Portugal, these flowers represent freedom. During the unforgettable revolution of April 25th in 1974, people put carnations inside the military's shotgun barrels as a symbol of peace and freedom. Viva a Liberdade!
In Portugal, these flowers represent freedom. During the unforgettable revolution of April 25th in 1974, people put carnations inside the military's shotgun barrels as a symbol of peace and freedom. Viva a Liberdade!
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