Floral arrangements and flowers have their own meaning. Receiving twelve red Roses translates to “Be mine,” as most already know, but there are other meanings attributable to a variety of flowers besides the Rose. For example, handing a Primrose to someone means “I cannot live without you.” Did you know a purple Hyacinth translates to “I am sorry. Please forgive me”, while a pink Carnation stands for “I will never forget you.” Giving someone a Gladiolus can be restated as “Hand me a break.”
For centuries, people have been attributing meaning to flowers in order to express their ideas, send messages, or convey feelings. In fact, the word floriography, which stands for the language of flowers, has been used to describe the process by which meaning is assigned to flowers. This meaning can be found within the colors, numbers, and groups of flowers found in an arrangement. This is an old language, one that is spoken without word, but is nonetheless potent. However, due in large part to lack of use, this language is no longer familiar to us.
Floriography is not solely communicated through the choice of color or type of flower, it is also spoken by the way in which a flower is either gifted or worn. Flowers presented in an upright manner communicate a positive meaning. Conversely, if the flower is upside down instead of right side up when gifted, then it has the opposite meaning. Tying a ribbon on the left of a flower means that the meaning attributed with the flower itself refers back to the giver. When the ribbon is on the right side, then the meaning is refers back to the recipient of the flower. Flowers also answer questions. If a flower is handed in the right hand, that stands for “yes.” When presented using the left hand, then “no” is the answer.
Flower meanings seem to stem from the 17th Century, when the Turks began to develop meanings for flowers. Lady Mary Wortley described this secret language in a letter she wrote. She learned about this floral language during trips to Turkey. Her letter was a catalyst for Europe, which quickly followed suit in adopting floriography.
Use of floriography continued in the 1800s, when Louise Cartambert published the first dictionary for the flower language. This small book became a very popular reference for speakers of this language.
The popularity of this language increased in the Victorian era. In particular, Victorian women were especially attuned to this language. It enabled them to speak their feelings and share personal communications that would otherwise be restricted by the rules of propriety that were prevalent at that time. In fact, a very popular flower gift at that time was Tussie-Mussies, flower bouquets which are wrapped in lace and tied with satin. Again there are various connotations to each type of flower gifts. You can see the example here of some good sunflower gift ideas.Additionally, Jean Marsh published a popular, well-respected book on the meanings of flowers. To this day, this book has served as the source for Victorian era flower meaning.
To convey all of these messages and ideas you don’t need to use fresh flowers, artificial flowers will work just as well, and your message will be remembered forever.