TAG | Artificial Flowers
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Floriography – Flower Meanings and History of Flowers
0 Comments | Posted by sandro in Floriography
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.
There are quite a few ways to order flowers for delivery these days. The old fashion way of going into your local florist and picking out what you want to send and hand writing the accompanying note or letter. Then, of course there is the phone. Phone up the closest florist to where ever you are sending the flowers or even your favourite florist and tell them what you want regarding flowers and notes. The newest way is to order flowers online. Do a search online and find a local florist that takes orders online. With this option you leave everything up the florist you choose, there’s no personal contact. You choose your type of flowers, type in any specific requests and that’s it. Its really quick and there’s no hassle at all.
Buying flowers online probably gives you the biggest selection of flowers there is. If one online shop doesn’t have what you are after then its quick and easy to check another until you find what you are after, fresh or artificial flowers, roses or tulips, its easy, no trailing around shops or making loads of phone calls to find what you want.
Most places you buy from are going to give you a good choice of delivery dates and times. If you order early enough in the day a lot will also offer same day delivery. If you want the flowers delivered later in the week, the florist will prepare your flowers to coincide with your requested delivery time.
Among the many choices you have available to you, you can can choose fresh or artificial flowers for delivery. You may be worried that your fresh flowers will be damaged in transit. In this case you may opt for artificial flowers. Though in my experience fresh flowers are very well packaged and really looked after so they arrive in perfect condition.
There are many many reasons to send flowers, the most popular day is of course Valentines Day. Sending a bunch of roses to your girlfriend, wife or partner is guaranteed to please and as much as it seems predictable or the norm, flowers are always a great gift on Valentines. There are of course or times to send flowers, religious celebrations, birthdays, weddings and sadly funerals, being a few. Then there are those times when you know you haven’t been the ideal partner, flowers are always a good start to saying sorry.
So there you have it, there are many ways to order flowers and different levels of personal involvement in the process. Check online for the huge selection you have available to you.