The Language of Flowers

There has long been a language of flowers, people could say very complex things to each other while never actually speaking.  I imagine that this came along about the same time the language of the ladies fan appeared, (Victorian or earlier).  With the language of the fan a lady could tell a man many things in public and never actually say anything.  She could encourage his attention, tell him to stay away and even arrange for a quite meeting out of sight of her (usually elderly) companion.
We have found ways to speak volumes to each other without using words.
Here are just a few examples to look over.


Combinations of Flowers
Columbine, Day Lily, Broken straw, Witch Hazel and colored daisy -
Your folly and coquetry have broken the spell of your beauty.

Golden-rod, Monkshood, Sweet Pea and Forget-me-not -
Be cautious danger is near; I depart soon; forget me not.

Lilly of the valley and ferns -
Your unconscious sweetness has fascinated me

Mignonette and colored daisy -
Your qualities surpass your charms of beauty

Moss rose bud and Myrtle -
A confession of love

Scarlet Geranium, Passion flower, Purple Hyacinth, and Arbor Vitae -
I trust you will find consolation. Through faith, in your sorrow;
be assured of my unchanging friendship.

White and Red rose -
Together & unity

Yellow rose, Broken straw and Ivy -
Your jealousy has broken our friendship



 

Flowers and their Meanings
Arbor Vitae - Unchanging friendship
Amaryllis - Splendid beauty
Anemone - Expectation
Blue Violet - Faithfulness
Burgundy Rose - unconscious beauty
Buttercup - Childishness
Camellia, White - Loveliness
Candy-Tuff - Indifference 
Carnation, Deep Red – Alas, my poor heart 
Carnation, White - Disdain 
China-Aster - Variety
Clover, Four-leaf -  Be Mine 
Clover, Red - Industry 
Clover, White - Think of me
Columbine -  Folly
Columbine, Purple - Resolved to win
Columbine, Purple - Resolved to win
Chrysanthemum - Cheerfulness in old age
Crocus - Abuse me not!
Daisy - Innocence
Damask Rose - Freshness 
Dandelion - Loves oracle
Dead Leaves - Sadness 
Deadly Nightshade - Falsehood
Deep Red Rose - Bashful shame 
Dog Rose - Pleasure and pain
Fern - Fascination
Forget-me-not - Hmm…gee?
Forget-me-not - Also means true love
Fuchsia, Scarlet - Taste
Full Red Rose - Beauty
Geranium, Rose - Preference
Geranium, Scarlet - Consolation
Golden-rod - Be cautious
Great Yellow Daffodil - Chivalry
Heliotrope - Devotion
Honeyflower - Sweet and secret love
Holly - Am I forgotten
Hyacinth, White - Unobtrusive loveliness
Ice Plant - Your looks freeze me
Indian Jasmine - Attachment
Iris - I have a message for you
Ivy - Marriage and fidelity 
Lady Slipper - Win me and wear me
Lettuce - Cold-heartedness
Lily, Day - Coquetry
Lily of the Valley - Return of happiness
Lily, White - Sweetness 
Lily, Yellow - Gaiety
Lotus Flower - Estranged love
Marigold - Vulgar minded 
Mignonette - Your qualities surpass your charms
Mistletoe - difficulties, I surmount
Monkshood - Danger is near 
Moss Rose bud - Confession of love 
Myrtle - Love
Oats - The witching soul of music 
Orange Blossoms - Chastity
Parsley - Useful knowledge
Pansy - Thoughts 
Passion Flower - Faith
Peach Blossom - Chastity 
Pear - Affection
Peony - Shame
Pink Carnation - Womans love
Primrose - Inconstancy
Province Rose - My heart is in flames
Purple Lilac - First emotions of love 
Quaking Grass - Agitation
Red Poppy - Consolation
Red Tulip - Declaration of love 
Rose Deep Red - Bashful shame
Rose - Love 
Rose, White - I am worthy of you
Rosebud, Moss - Confession of love
Rhubarb - Advice
Scarlet Poppy - Extravagance
Shamrock - Light-heartedness
Spanish Jasmine - Sensuality
Straw - Agreement 
Straw-Broken, Broken agreement
Sweet Pea - Depart
Thornless Rose - Early attachment
Tuberose - Dangerous pleasures 
Unique Rose - Call me not beautiful
Verbena - Prey for me 
White Daisy - Innocence
White Poppy - Sleep
White Rose - I am worthy of you
White Rose bud - A heart ignorant of love
Witch Hazel - A spell
Yellow Carnation - Rue, disdain
Yellow Chrysanthemum - Slighted love
Yellow Iris - Passion
Yellow Rose - A decrease of love or jealousy
Zinnia - Thoughts of absent friends 
 

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