Language of Flowers

Flowers have always been part of history. Blooms were used by the royalty and other head of states for their emblems that some wars were remembered after their emblems like England's "War of the Roses". Flowers were also used to convey messages because their meanings could be understood by both the educated and the unlettered.

In William Shakespeare's "Hamlet", Ophelia says: "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance...and there is pansies, that's for thoughts."

The completed Library of the Garden states that the language of flowers originated in the Orient but only captured the imagination of the western world through a letter written by Lady Mary Wortley Montague in 1718 and published in her "Letters" in 1763.

"There is no color, no flowers, 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 inking your fingers," Montague wrote. And the "verses" were singled lines or phrases, rhyming with the name of the flower or object.

Another author, Henry Phillips decribed in "Floral Emblems" (1825) how Turkish ladies sent messages of invitation or congratulations accompanied by a few symbolic flowers wrapped in an embroidered handkerchief. Phillips said the freshness of the flowers indicated the speed of the messenger, their selection and the sentiment to be conveyed, while the beauty and value of the wrapping denoted the rank of the sender.

The eastern flower language became popular in the 18th century France, with many books and poetry on the subject. But to what extent the language was used is not known.

Different flowers have different meanings. For example, Phillips said dahlia stood for instability and the iris for eloquence. But in "Floral Emblems" by "A Lady of Title", dahlia means "thine for ever" and the iris only a "message". Both she and Phillips agree that the basil stands for poverty but in "The Language of Flowers" by Kate Greenaway, it means hatred.

The vocabulary grew when Phillips attached meanings of a moral and elevating kind to a number of flowers not included in older traditions.

Also, take this observation. From birth to death, flowers are liberally used. When a child is born, flowers are offered to mean congratulations. Birthday anniversaries, fiestas and other special occasions are celebrated with flowers. Teenagers offer flowers to each other. Weddings will not be complete without flowers in church and reception hall. A bouquet of flowers can mean "Get-well-soon" to someone who is sick. Valentine is already a tradition using flowers to mean love. And finally, when a person die, more and more flowers are offered from the funeral parlor to the grave.