What flowers are for
Why a flower is grown, picked, given or strung: for a wedding, a god, a grave, a perfume or a plate.
WeddingsBouquets, garlands exchanged, mandaps, arches and flower girls.65Worship and offeringsLaid before gods and shrines, strung for temples, carried in procession.131Mourning and remembranceFuneral flowers, wreaths, and flowers for the graves of the dead.27FestivalsFlowers tied to a festival, a holiday or a season of celebration.172GiftsGiven for love, thanks, birthdays, visits and apologies.79National and state emblemsFlowers chosen to stand for a country, a state or a city.332Home and everydayOn the table, at the door, in the hair, in the garden.513Perfume and scentGrown for their oil: rose, jasmine, tuberose, ylang-ylang.54Food and drinkEaten, brewed or used to flavour and colour food.182Traditional medicineUsed in folk and traditional medicine. Described, not recommended.236Dye and colourFlowers that give colour to cloth, food and skin.42