Word list · 12 words
The language of flowers
The language of flowers, also called floriography, gives each flower a meaning, so a bunch can carry a message. Books setting out these meanings, often called floral dictionaries, were a common sight in nineteenth-century homes; Kate Greenaway's illustrated Language of Flowers is one of them, and is free to read online.
Those books were written by different authors and did not always agree, so one flower can carry different meanings from list to list. Each entry gives the common meaning, notes where the older lists differ, and keeps the traditional meaning apart from the modern florist's one.
Kept on this device only, for the daily recall in My words.
The words
Chrysanthemum
A chrysanthemum's meaning changes with its colour and its country.
Symbols, Dreams & Signs
Forget-me-not
The forget-me-not means remembrance and faithful love; its name is the message.
Symbols, Dreams & Signs
Sunflower
In the Victorian language of flowers the sunflower's meaning depended on its size: Kate Greenaway's 1884 list gives the dwarf sunflower as "Adoration" and the tall one as "Haughtiness".
Symbols, Dreams & Signs
Tulip
In the Victorian language of flowers a red tulip was a declaration of love.
Symbols, Dreams & Signs
Violet (flower)
In the Victorian language of flowers the violet means modesty.
Symbols, Dreams & Signs
Yellow rose
Today a yellow rose usually means friendship or warm, non-romantic affection.
Symbols, Dreams & Signs