A charming, gorgeously illustrated botanical encyclopedia for your favorite romantic, local witch, bride-to-be, or green-thumbed friend.?The Language of Flowers is a full-color guidebook to the historical uses and secret meanings behind an impressive array of flowers and herbs. The book explores the coded significances associated with various blooms, from flowers for a lover to flowers for an enemy. The language of flowers was historically used as a means of secret communication. It soared in popularity during the 19th century, especially in Victorian England and the U.S., when proper etiquette discouraged open displays of emotion. Mysterious and playful, the language of flowers has roots in everything from the characteristics of the plant to its presence in folklore and history. Researched and illustrated by popular artist Jessica Roux, this book makes a stunning display piece, conversation-starter, or thoughtful gift.? . The veil was fastened with a bunch of tiny sprays of orange blossom mingled with cypress and laurel — a strange combination. Its sweet intoxicating odour floated up to my nostrils. It and the sentiment which its very presence evoked made me quiver.” (Bram Stoker, p. 188). Tussie-Mussies: “Talking Bouquets” – Tussie-mussies are also called nose bouquets. Traditionally composed of fragrant herbs held tightly together in a circular design with a single flower in the center, they became a popular floral gift during Victorian times. The custom of sending subtle communications with flowers began to influence what flowers were chosen based on the intended message. Selam spread to Europe in the early 1700s, when British aristocrat Lady Mary Wortley married the Ambassador to Turkey and moved to Constantinople. In a series of letters, she wrote of the customs of her new home. In describing selam, Wortley wrote:

Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language

It is fitting that a poet helped to popularise floriography. The Victorian language of flowers has more in common with verse than prose. Meanings are ambiguous, evolving within the contexts of how flowers are arranged, wrapped and gifted, to whom they are gifted, and the particular way they are combined. Oscar Wilde, the noted Victorian wit, once asked his friends to wear green carnations – a decision which he suggested would both represent homosexuality, and yet convey no meaning at all. Nothing says ‘I love you’ like a bunch of flowers. But during the 19th century, a bunch of flowers could do much more than that – it could profess undying commitment, a refusal, or even act as an accusation of infidelity. The Victorians went as far to develop their own floral language and if we let you in on their secrets, you can learn it too. Floriography: The Language of Flowers – During the Victorian Era, flowers and plants were used to communicate during a time when expected conventions restricted conversations for a variety of reasons. Flowers allowed secretive messages to be sent. As the long list of flowers and their meanings grew, books containing the meanings of various plants and flowers (floriography dictionaries) were published.

Victoriana: Victorian Etiquette – Etiquette was a set of rules and expectations for all social occasions for both men and woman of proper upbringing. This magazine provides a look at etiquette in various situations from birth to death. This is not another floral language book focusing on just Victorian flower language meanings, which means that it is already getting brownie points for being original. Instead have you wondered about floral symbolism, floral history, floral lore and even/or floral language whether it may be Elizabethan, modern or your usual Victorian? This book will have it covered to a certain degree.... Celebrating a new home calls for a message based on happiness and success. This makes sunflowers and perfect choice. Reddish sunflowers carry an additional meaning of hard work.

Floriography Books - Goodreads

Several orange flowers are associated with wishes of prosperity. These are great choices to add to a congratulations bouquet and include tiger lilies and alstroemeria. Here, a tradition known as selam started as a game in which Constantinople’s harem workers attached meanings and rhymes to flowers. It was a great way to communicate without the need for the written word, especially since many could not read or write at the time. The red camellia sends a romantic message. In the langue of flowers, red camellias tell someone that they are a flame burning in your heart. Snapdragons send a message of graciousness. They offer a thoughtful and colorful way to congratulate someone on their new home. For example, the daffodil or jonquil from the Narcissus genus is a plant associated with several themes in different cultures.This book was GORGEOUS! Filled with beautiful illustrations of flowers and their meanings. Would definitely make a great coffee-table book or gift for the gardener in your life! After the success of Charlotte de La Tour’s flower dictionary, there was a flurry of copycat books in other countries. However, the meanings of flowers were not always consistent, and flower meanings were sometimes changed. In the 1700s and 1800s, people lived in an ultra reserved society with super strict social rules. Good manners meant flirting, and expressing your feelings overtly was frowned upon. All in all, this is one book I would recommend to fellow flower lovers! Gorgeous art, interesting information. Do you need to say “I’m sorry”? Giving anemones is the perfect way to ask forgiveness. In the Victorian language of flowers, red or pink blooms symbolized feeling forsaken. In hanakatoba floriography, white anemones signify sincerity. These delicate blooms let someone know that you’re genuinely sorry.

Language of flowers : Greenaway, Kate, 1846-1901 : Free Language of flowers : Greenaway, Kate, 1846-1901 : Free

There is no color, no flower, no weed, no fruit, herb, pebble, or feather, that has not a verse belonging to it; and you may quarrel, reproach, or send letters of passion, friendship, or civility, or even of news, without ever inking your fingers.” Each individualized entry is then provided with the name of the flower followed by a bit of a poem or quote that includes the name of the author as well as the date of that writing. And as such readers will find various sources whether it is biblical verses, books, poetry, folklore or even song lyrics to name just a few. From there each entry focuses on the mainstay for the plant's main use in its history whether the mainstay has been medicinally such as for sage, historically/nationally such as the wattle and infamous thistle or art such as the wisteria, etc. A Bouquet for New Beginnings — Crocus for youthful glee, Daisy for innocence and childhood purity, Lilac for first love, Baby's breath for purity and innocence and Wheat for riches fastened with a yellow tassel Because the star-shaped, white edelweiss blooms high in the Alps, collecting the blossoms in a dangerous task. For this reason, procuring edelweiss for your lover was thought to be a feat of great courage and devotion. — Jessica Roux (the origin for Edelweiss) Floriography by Jessica Roux provides the reader with a neat and fascinating compilation of various flowers and their meaning in "the Language of Flowers" during the Victorian era. The illustrations provided for each flower are beautiful and if you don't know the flower in question, it makes you want to look them up. For example, sometimes, Roman Catholic symbols were replaced. The passionflower might be changed to “superstition” instead of the religious meaning of “faith.”Carnations are often used in buttonholes and have sometimes been overlooked as a garden plant. But at Kenilworth Castle they’re a highlight in the Elizabethan Garden during the summer months. While a carnation suggested pride and beauty, a striped carnation traditionally symbolised a refusal, which prompted Henry Phillips to warn people ‘think seriously before they present this emblem to their suitors’.

Floriography (19 books) - Goodreads

After living in France while raising my three children over the last 11 years, i've accumulated a lot of insider knowledge. Dandelion — Meaning or aligned with divination and fortune-telling. The origin "Dandelions are associated with wished and fortune-telling; it's customary in many Western cultures to make a wish while blowing on the dandelion's "puff," dispersing the seeds. More practically, dandelions have been used to predict the weather, as their puffs will stay closed in inclement weather and open when sunny, clear skies are on the way." Sweet freesia signifies trust and friendship in floriography. These fragrant blossoms also add a fantastic aroma to any bouquet.

Floriography isn't a comprehensive book since it only covers fifty known flowers although many are quite well-known to even those who may have limited plant knowledge. As such readers of all grades will find something worth reading about when they open this book.