language of flowers

What is language of flowers?

The language of flowers is a way of using flowers and their arrangements to send messages without words. Each flower, and even the way it is worn or given, can mean something different. For example, a red rose might stand for deep love, while a yellow rose could mean friendship. Bouquets called tussie-mussies or nosegays were often used, and their position or the hand used to give them could change the meaning. This tradition has appeared in art, literature, and daily life, especially in the 19th century.

Where does language of flowers come from?

Floriography has ancient roots, with forms found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The custom known as sélam in Ottoman Turkey used flowers and other small objects to create coded messages, often wrapped in a handkerchief. The idea spread to Europe in the 18th century, brought to England by Mary Wortley Montagu from Constantinople. The first published lists of flower meanings appeared in the early 19th century, and the tradition became very popular in Victorian England and France. In the United States, books and articles on the language of flowers appeared from the 1820s onward.

How language of flowers is made

To create a message using the language of flowers, people would choose specific blooms based on their symbolic meanings, often consulting a floral dictionary. Bouquets like tussie-mussies or nosegays were arranged with care, sometimes including fragrant herbs. The way the bouquet was tied, which hand it was given with, and where it was worn or displayed all added to the message. The practice could be used for courtship, friendship, or other occasions.

When and where language of flowers is used

In the 19th century, people used the language of flowers to send messages that could not be spoken openly, especially in matters of romance. Bouquets were exchanged as gifts, worn as accessories, or used in ceremonies. The meanings of flowers were also important in art and literature, and some traditions continue today in corsages and boutonnieres. The custom has influenced how flowers are used in weddings, funerals, and festivals.

Forms of language of flowers

Different cultures and times have assigned their own meanings to flowers. In Japan, the practice is called Hanakotoba. In Turkey, sélam included not just flowers but other objects. Victorian England produced many floral dictionaries, and meanings could vary from book to book. Some traditions assign a flower to each day of the year. The language of flowers also appears in art and literature across the world.

What language of flowers means

The language of flowers has shaped how people use and think about flowers in art, religion, and daily life. In Western art, flowers often symbolize emotions or virtues, and in literature, they can carry hidden meanings. Religious art uses flowers like the lotus or lily to represent purity or spiritual ideas. The tradition has left a mark on how flowers are given and understood in many cultures.

The flowers of language of flowers

RoseWoody perennial plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in many coloursLilyTall bulb flowers with large, colourful blooms in many gardens and culturesChrysanthemumAutumn-blooming flower with thousands of varieties, cherished in East Asia and beyondVioletA large genus of delicate flowers found across temperate regions worldwideSacred lotusThe pink aquatic flower sacred in Asia and grown for food, worship and beautySensitive PlantA touch-sensitive plant whose leaves fold up when disturbedHyacinthA spring-blooming bulb with fragrant, colourful flower spikesLotusAquatic plants with large, round leaves and striking flowers called lotus

Traditions that use it

Questions people ask about language of flowers

Good reading and sources

• Language of flowers on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data