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Be careful giving
flowers. The choice of bouquet on Valentine's
Day could convey more than you
intend.
Presenting your lover with primroses suggests the opening of one's
heart and the dawning of true love, but offer snapdragons and the
message is plain: "go away!"
| This
kind of floral code, known as "florigraphy," was especially
popular among the romantics of Victorian England about a hundred years
ago. Each flower and tree had a meaning all its own. Presenting sprigs
or blooms from a given plant was a shorthand way of saying "it was love
at first sight!" (thornless roses) or "I am your slave forever" (wild
geraniums). |
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Remnants of this botanical language linger in our culture. The daisy is
still a symbol of purity and Forget-me-nots remain faithful.
Which interpretations linger in our subconscious we can't be sure.
(What does a marigold suggest?) So, take care in choosing flowers.
Here's what they could be saying:
- Bluebell.
"I am faithful"
- Carnation,
pink. "I'll never forget you."
- Carnation,
red. "My heart aches for you."
- Carnation,
yellow. "You have disappointed
me."
- Daffodil.
"I will not return your
affections."
- Evening
primrose. "Humbly, I adore you."
- Fuchsia.
"Take heed, your beloved is
false!"
- Geranium,
scarlet. "I do not trust you."
- Holly:
"I thank God you are restored to
health."
- Honeysuckle.
"This is a token of my love."
- Jonquil.
"Please answer me soon. Dare I
hope you love me?"
- Lavender.
"I can only ever be your friend."
- Lilac,
purple. "You are my first love."
- Lilac,
white. "A tribute to your beauty
and spirituality."
- Lily,
white. "I kiss your fingertips."
- Lily,
tiger. "My passion burns like a
firebrand!"
- Magnolia.
"Your jealousy is without
foundation."
- Narcissus.
"You love none but yourself."
- Orchid.
"I shall make your life a sweet
one."
- Passion-flower.
"I am pledged to another."
- Periwinkle.
"My heart was mine until we
met."
- Roses,
basketful. "Take the treasures of
my heart."
- Roses,
bridal. "Happy love."
- Roses,
red. "I love you."
- Sweet-pea.
"Your memory is a lingering
fragrance."
- Trumpet-flower.
"My heart is aflame for
you."
- Violet.
"Pure and sweet art thou."
- Wistaria.
"I cling to thee."
- Zinnia.
"Where there is love there can be
no separation
Sources:
Le
Langage des Fleurs by Madame de
la Tour, 1872.
Gardenspells
by Claire Nahmad, Running Press, 1994
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Flowers
Le
Langage des Fleurs
Gardenspells
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