There is a language, little known,
Lovers claim it as their own.
Its symbols smile upon the land,
Wrought by nature's wondrous hand;
And in their silent beauty speak,
Of life and joy, to those who seek
For Love Divine and sunny hours
In the language of the flowers.
- The Language of Flowers, London, 1875


Flowers exist in every culture around the world. They are part of the natural landscape and provide essential food and shelter for insects that pollinate the earth around us. Throughout history, myths and stories have been the way that humans make sense of the world. The stories we tell to explain the world around us are varied, but every culture has them and they continue to play a part in our perceptions today. The art of Floriography was popularised in Victorian-era Europe, and is often based on connecting those flowers with the mythology surrounding them. The Victorian popularity of floriography is generally attributed to Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, a poet and writer, and the wife of an English ambassador in Turkey. While in Turkey, she was inspired by local practices and wanted to bring it back to England. Japan has its own practice similar to Floriography called Hanakotoba, which means "language of flowers".

Many flowers come in different colours and each colour can have a different meaning associated. These are commonly tied to colour theory, rather than the flower itself, and the cultural connotations of each. The colour white may be associated with weddings in the West, but in the East is is often considered a funeral colour. This is one reason why Floriography can contain conflicting information on the meaning of a flower - they symbolise different things for different cultures.

There are many belief systems across the world that believe in a form of energy, which individuals can put out in the world through their actions. It is similar to the concept of karma, although that is a more structured form and mostly relates to reincarnation and an individual's next life. This practice is closer to animism, which is attribution of a living soul or energy in inanimate objects. It commonly occurs in many indigenous religions, as well as in the resurgance of paganism and witchcraft. The close association with flowers and cultural stories about them essentially gives them their own life. It the sustained belief and continued sharing of these stories that gives Floriography its power, as well as the intent.

Horrible Histories - Victorian Flower Language

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Alstroemeria
Devotion. Survival. Road to success.
Also called the Peruvian Lily, the Alstroemeria was brought to Europe by Swedish botanist Baron Von Alstromer. It originates in South America, particularly in Brazil, Peru, and Chile. It is used as a symbol of devotion and survival because of its ability to thrive in a multitude of climates.

Amaryllis
Pride. Strength. Resolve.
The Victorians associated the flower with determination and strength for their height and sturdiness. The flower is named after the nymph, Amaryllis, who fell in love with a shepard called Alteo. She wanted to show him how strongly she felt by piercing herself in the heart every day with a golden arrow. Alteo didn't care about her declaration of love, and after thirty days he found a red amaryllis flower had grown in front of his house from her blood. The red amaryllis flower is also considered to be lucky in Chinese culture.

Anemone
Fragility. Consolation after loss.
Victorian flower language uses anemones to symbolise fragility, likely due to its delicate petals that blow away in the wind. The word anemone comes from the Greek "anemos" meaning "wind" and suffix "one", meaning "daughter". The red anemone symbolises the act of forsaken love in both Greek and Christian mythology. Aphrodite was in love with the mortal Adonis. The other gods didn't approve and had Adonis attacked by a wild boar while out hunting. While running to him, Aphrodite pricked her heel on a thorn and stained a white rose red with her blood. She then found Adonis's body and sprinkled nectar over him, creating the first anemone to grow from his blood.
In Christianity, the red anemones symbolise blood from the cruxifixion of Christ. They are often depicted alongside the Virgin Mary to symbolise her mourning and the blood that Christ shed.

Apple Blossom
Preference
In Chinese mythology, the goddess Xiwangmu was said to have lived in a palace surrounded by apple trees that bloomed only once every three thousand years. The blossoms were believed to bring immortality, and anyone lucky enough to see them bloom would be blessed with good fortune. Some Native American cultures associate apple blossoms with the cycle of life and changing of the seasons. They were used in ceremonies to signify new life and the beginning of spring.
Roman mythology associates apple blossoms with the goddess Pomona, who was often depicted holding a pruning knife and a basket of apples, and was responsible for the care of fruit trees. Apple blossoms were a sign of good harvest and future prosperity. The Celts believed that apple blossoms were a symbol of love, and carrying that tradition, the Victorians used apple blossoms to signify preference when giving flowers to a suitor.

Aster
Variety. Patience. After-thought.
The aster gets its name from the Greek word for "star". There is a Greek myth about the god Jupiter, in which he floods the earth to end a war. The goddess Astraea was so distraught by this that she begged to be turned into a star. After the floodwaters had receded, she wept for the lives lost in the flood and her tears fell to earth and turned into asters. The ancient Greeks also believes asters were sacred, and they were used on altars to ward away snakes and evil spirits. In hanakotoba, the Aster, or shion, means "I will never forget you."
A Cherokee myth tells the story of two young girls who were hiding in the woods to avoid a war between tribes. They sought the help of a medicine woman, who sprinkles both girls with herbs and covered them in leaves and the next morning, the two girls had both turned into flowers - an aster and a goldenrod. In Germany, the flower was used as an oracle to predict love by plucking the petals one by one to see if their love was reciprocated or not.

Azalea
Temperance. Fragile and ephemeral passion.
The azalea was originally cultivated in Japan and China before being imported to Europe and the rest of the world. A Chinese folktale tells that an azalea appears whenever a cuckoo sings. An evil king ruled the land while his people suffered, until a warrior came to assassinate the selfish ruler. Before he died, he turned into a cuckoo bird and angrily sang until blood came out of his beak. According to the tale, the blood from the cuckoo made the azalea to bloom. The flower was white at first, and then, pink, then red.
The azalea is associated with homesickness in Japan and China, and is often given to family members to tell them that you miss them and hope to see them soon. Victorian flower language saw the azalea as a flower representing temperence and it was given to people who were modest and kind.
As azalea is poisonous, it can also be a death threat when paired with a black vase.

Basil
Hatred.
Basil comes from the Greek word "basilius", meaning "king" but may have also been named for the mythological creature, basilisk, as they both have crown-like crests. It is significant to various religions and used to sprinkle in holy water and as part of funeral rite to assure safe passage into the afterlife. Greek and Roman writings associate the basil plant with hatred and insanity. In European folklore, basil was a traditional parting gift for guests. It also has an association with witches, and the belief that a witch would drink basil juice before flying on her broom.

Bluebell
Gratitude. Constancy. Fairy magic.
The bluebell is native to Europe, though has also invaded parts of North America. Forests filled with bluebell flowers are common in England, and have been the source of many of their associations. Due to their abundance, they symbolise constancy, as well as their bowing shape being connected to sentiments of gratitude and humility. They are also strongly linked to superstitions around fairies in the region, with some believing that fairies use bluebells to trap humans. Another folktale says that picking a bluebell may result in being enchanted by fairies and led astray. A Scottish myth refers to bluebells as "harebells" and makes the claim that witches would turn themselves into hares and hide among the bluebells.

Buttercup
Childishness. Ingratitude. Childhood Optimism.
The buttercup grew wild in England for hundreds of years, but was not commonly used in bouquets until the Victorian era. A lot of symbolism of the buttercup originates from their popularity in childhood games - such as holding a buttercup under your chin. Some versions of the game say that if the yellow buttercup light reflects against your skin, you must be in love. Other versions simply state it means you like butter. Buttercups would be used in Victorian Floriography for a child, or to say you appreciate somebody's youthful nature.
Persian buttercups resemble peonies and inspired myths from the Persian empire. One legend claims that a rich prince fell in love with a nymph who rejected him. He died of a broken heart and turned into a buttercup, making the nymph look upon him forever and regret spurning him.
North America also has its own native buttercups, and Native Americans also have stories of those. One story is about the mythical trickster, Coyote. He liked to take out his eyes and throw them in the air to enjoy the view around him. One day, Eagle swooped down and plucked his eyes right out of the sky, stealing them. From then, Coyote had no choice but to use buttercups for his new eyes. These buttercups are sometimes referred to as "Coyote's Eyes".

Camellia
Unpretending excellence. Quiet beauty
The camellia is native to Japan and flowers in early spring. It was popular during the Edo period among nobles as a symbol of love. It was also used by warriors and samurai to symbolise a noble death. They have an association with beheading as the flower head falls off its stem as it dies, making the camellia less appropriate as a gift for someone who is ill or injured.

Chrysanthemum
Perfection. Healing. Protection.
Chrysanthemums are very popular in Australia as a Mother's Day gift because they contain the word "mum" in their name. In Japan, they are associated with nobility - particular yellow chrysanthemums - and they feature on the imperial family’s crest. White chrysanthemums are used for funerals in Japan and indicate purity and grief. In Greek superstition, the chrysanthemum is seen as protection against evil spirits.
In Chinese legend, an elderly emperor heard about a magical herb that could give him eternal youth. It was said to only grow on an island and could only be picked by young people, so the emperor send twenty-four children on a dangerous journey to find it. When they arrived to the island, it was deserted except for a golden chrysanthemum.
A Japanese legend tells the story of the god Izanagi and goddess Iznami who were sent to earth because there were too many gods in heaven. Iznami created the gods of the wind, mountains and sea, but was killed by flames as she created the god of fire. Izanagi missed her so much that he followed into a place known as "the Black Night", where he was pursued by an old witch. He was forced to flee back to earth and decided to clense himself in the river. As he did this, the items of clothing that he had removed turned into twelve gods. The jewels he was wearing turned into flowers: his bracelet turned to an iris, another bracelet turned to a lotus flower, and his necklace turned into a golden chrysanthemum.

Crocus
Cheerfulness. Love.
Most of the myths around the crocus come from ancient Greece. One of the most common says that a human man, Crocus, had an affair with a nymph. He eventually became unhappy with the relationship and the gods turned him into a crocus. Another version of this story tells that Crocus killed himself after the gods refused to let him marry the nymph.
They also bloom near St Valentine's day in the Northern Hemisphere, which could be one reason they're attributed to live. Saffron is made from the stamen of a crocus, which makes the flower very valuable. Crocus seeds were thought to alleviate rheumatism pain in England. In Sweden, mothers would put saffron around their child's’ neck to protect them from harm.

Daffodil
New beginnings
In Greek mythology, Narcissus was a man who was incredibly vain. The nymph Echo was in love with him, but he cared too much for himself that he completely ignored her. Narcissus came across a lake and saw his reflection in it, becoming so obsessed that he stared into the reflection until he wasted away and died. The gods turned him into the flower that shares his name. The daffodil can be a symbol of vanity or unrequited loved because of this. In hanakotoba, daffodils symbol respect.
They are associated with Easter as they bloom in the early spring in the Northern Hemisphere - giving their association with new life and beginnings.

Dahlia
Dignity. Elegance.
Dahlias are thought to originate in Mexico and are the country's national flower. They are often thought to have been an important source of food and medicine for the Aztecs, however historical records of the time were mostly lost and make it difficult to acertain any validity to the claim.
It is also claimed the Empress Josephine, wife to Napoleon Bonaparte, developed an obsession with dahlias. She was an avid gardner and cultivated many varieties of the flower, but guarded the secret of her dahlias because she wanted them to be hers exclusively. A lady in waiting and a gardener were said to have been bribed by a Polish Count to dig up some of the tubers and transport them, thus revealing the existence of dahlias to the rest of Europe. The Victorians were the ones who popularised the dahlia, as the flower's bright and flamboyant appearance appealed to the sensibilities of the time. Dahlia societies were formed and gardening enthusiasts competed to see who could grow the biggest and most beautiful flower. Because of their popularity and association with the upper class of England, the dahlia became a symbol of dignity and elegance in Floriography.

Daisy
Innocence. Childhood.
The name "daisy" is thought to have come from Old English "day's eye", referring to the fact that the flower opens its petals at dawn and closes then again as the sun goes down. The common daisy originates in Europe and has several myths attached to it. Norse mythology attributes the daisy as the goddess Freya's sacred flower. As Freya is a goddess associated with love and fertility, the daisy was associated with childbirth and children. The flower also bloomed in spring, signifying new beginnings, and was often used in gifts to welcome new babies to the family.

Dandelion
Oracle. Wishes.
The name "dandelion" originates from the French "dent de lion", or "lion's tooth". The dandelion was believed to be a powerful herbal cure. It was made into dandelion wine, which was used as medicine for digestive health due to it being fermented and because dandelions are a diuretic. It has also been used in medicine to help liver function.
Dandelions are commonly used to make wishes. It is unknown where the practice originated, but it is believed that blowing on a dandelion will grant your wish or carry your thoughts and dreams towards a loved one.

Delphinium
Joy. Levity.
The flower is named after the Greek word for "dolphin" as their buds resemble the animal. Their meaning comes from the dolphin's playful nature and how they are often seen leaping out of the ocean, seemingly without a care. The Victorians used the delphinium as a symbol of happiness and a reminder not to take things too seriously.

Eucalyptus
Healing. Protection.
The eucalyptus plant is still used in healing today, but was utilized by indigenous Australians long before white settlers came. It is used to relieve congestion, sinus infections, and fever. It is of particular significance to the Dharawal indigenous people.

Flannel Flower
Wisdom of Youth. Strength.
The flannel flower is native to Australia and is known for its strength in surviving harsh climates. It is also the flower chosen to promote mental health awareness. There is a Dharawal story about the flannel flower, about how the trees and plants had stopped bearing food as the land was too cold and covered in ice and The People were going to starve. They believed that Baluniri, the Earth Mother was sick and didn’t know what to do. A young woman named Tiana spoke up to say that The People haven’t been tending the land as they should. The different clans argued with each other about who was to blame, but Tiana went out and set small fires around the area. The fires warmed the ground and allowed small shoots to grow, bringing a fluffy white flower out from the ground. The flannel flower is one of the first to grow after a frost, and the story serves as a reminder of why it is important to follow The Peoples’ customs to take care of the land and also to listen to the ideas of their young people.

Forget-Me-Not
Do not forget me. Eternal love.
The Victorian interpretation of the flower is based on its name, forget-me-not. A legend tells of a medieval knight who was walking along the River Danube with his lover and picked a bunch of flowers along the riverbank. As he bent down, he fell into the water and sank because of the weight of his armor. Before he drowned, he threw the flowers to his beloved and shouted "forget me not".

Geranium
Steadfast piety. Sincerity.
Greek word "geranos" meaning crane, referring to the flower's seed heads resembling a crane's bill. Geraniums are a controversial flower in Floriography. Their popularity took a nosedive in the Victorian era due to the belief that their petals are too simple and colours too gaudy. They have been given many meanings, from stupidity to piety depending on the colour used. Due to their simplicity, as per their Victorian perception, a fitting meaning for geraniums would be sincerity – a pure expression of feeling without the need for grandeur.

Gerbera
Cheerfulness.
The gebera was first found in South Africa. It is associated with cheerfulness, and also the sun because of it's bright colours and shape. It is a type of daisy and represents childlike innocence, but the gerbera's more flashy colours lend itself well to being a symbol of youthful joy and excitement.

Hollyhock
Ambition. Healing. New Ventures.
Hollyhock is of great importance to Wiccans and pagans and is associated with the fertility god Lammas for its abundance. It is a plant with only positive connotations, and its original names, Alcea or Althea, come from the Greek word "altho" meaning "healing". The flower itself grows and spreads for a long time and is strong enough to thrive in many conditions, giving it an association with ambition and refusal to give up. Hollyhocks are associated with fairies, as they were believed to wear the flowers as skirts. The seedpods are also called "fairy cheese" as they resemble a cheese wheel. A recipe from the 1600s advises to use hollyhock, as well as hazel, marigold, and wild thyme to allow humans to see fairies.

Hyacinth
Games. Apology for Rash Behaviour. Sincerity.
The Greek god Apollo was in love with a Spartan named Hyacinthus and the two were playing discus together when the discus struck Hyacinthus and killed him. There are some versions of the story that say the discus was blown by wind caused by the god Zephyr, who also loved Hyacinthus and was jealous. As Apollo cried over the body of Hyacinthus, a flower bloomed and Apollo named it after his dead love. This story gave the hyacinth its meanings in Victorian flower language, where it could be used to express an apology to someone you have wronged by being impulsive, or to express a more positive sentiment of playfulness.

Hydrangea
Boastfulness. Unity.
The etymology of the word hydrangea comes from the Greek "hyrdros" + "angos", meaning "water jar" and was named for its resemblance to ancient water pitchers. Hydrangeas have been associated with boastfulness because they produce more flowers than seeds, giving the impression that they are more show than substance. Another interpretation of the flower is unity, as a single hydrangea is made of many flower heads all working together to create one flower. Hydrangeas are used in a bathing ceremony in Buddhism. On the believed day of Buddha’s birthday, hydrangea tea is poured over statues of Buddha.

Lavender
Purity. Distrust.
Lavender was named by the Romans for their word "to bathe", "lavare". The flower’s strong scent made it popular in bath houses across the Roman Empire. It is referenced in the bible, from Jesus’s feet being washed with lavender lotion, to his mother, Mary, hanging his baby clothes on a lavender bush. This close associate with Jesus has made the lavender symbolic of cleanliness and purity in Christianity. Historically, Christians even made crosses out of lavender to protect themselves from evil.
Victorian flower language, however, associates lavender with distrust. This is due to a legend of Cleopatra’s death being caused by a snake hiding in a lavender bush.

Lilac
First Love. Wisdom.
The story of the Lilac is another from Greek mythology. It is said that the god Pan was chasing a nymph, Syringa, as he had fallen in love with her. However, she was afraid of him and turned herself into a lilac shrub to disguise herself from him. Pan did not see through her disguise, however he found the shrub and decided to make a pan flute from the hollow reeds that make its branches.
It was believed in Celtic culture that lilacs held magical properties due to their captivating scent. A tradition in Russia is to hold a lilac flower over a newborn’s head, as lilac is associated with wisdom and it is thought that the flower’s wisdom would be imparted upon the new baby. Lilacs were used as a reminder of an old love in Victorian times, and it was common for a widow to wear lilacs in remembrance of her lost husband.

Lily of the Valley
Return to happiness. Purity.
Christian legends refer to Eve’s tears turning to lily of the valley flowers after she was cast out of the Garden of Eden. The flower is also associated with Christ’s second coming and is mentioned many times throughout the Bible. The Victorian interpretation of the flower is "return to happiness" This is because the flower blooms in early spring.
Germanic myth associates lily of the valley with the virgin goddess, Ostara, linking the flower to virtues of humility and purity. Despite its name, lily of the valley is actually more closely related to asparagus than it is to lilies.

Lotus
Eloquence. Purity of heart.
The lotus is considered a sacred flower according to Asian mythology, particularly in China. Lotus can symbolise purity, as it grows from mud and remains white. In Buddhism, the lotus is associated with purity of the mind and body.

Lupin
Voraciousness. Imagination.
The lupin is named for the Latin word for wolf. The flower is poisonous and is known to kill livestock that eat it – much like how wolves also attack and kill livestock. They are associated with a great hunger for life. In Floriography, the lupin tells the receiver to have a positive outlook and be optimistic for the future. The Romans wrote about lupins as a source of food that contributed to cheerfulness of the mind, promoting a good imagination and thoughts of optimism.

Marigold
Warmth. Family. Grief. Remembrance.
Marigolds are considered to have magical powers in folklore. In Christianity, they are associated with the Virgin Mary and the story of Mary giving gold coins to the poor - hence "Mary’s Gold" as a name. Marigold flowers are very important in Hindu practices. They are often used in festivals like Diwali, weddings, and religious ceremonies. They symbolize purity and the divine, as well as association with the sun for their warm colours.
In Mexico, marigolds are sometimes referred to "flor de muertos" or "flower of the dead" due to their association with Día de los Muertos. The bright flowers are said to make bridges to the afterlife and attract the spirits of dead family members back to visit their shrines, which are also decorated with marigolds.

Morning Glory
Affection.
The morning glory is a flower that symbolises the cycle of life and rebirth as they open their petals every morning and close them again at night. The flowers were first recorded in China for their use in ceremonies and medicine. In Chinese folklore, the morning glory flower was associated with love – particularly unrequited love. Victorian floriography used morning glory as a popular sign of affection, to be given to friends or lovers.

Orchid
Refined beauty. Wisdom.
The orchid was named by the ancient Greek botanist, Theophrastos, for the Greek word "órkhis", meaning "testes" because he believed the flower tubers resembled male genitalia. Ancient Greeks believed the orchid was an aphrodisiac and also that eating the tubers could determine the sex of an unborn baby. The Aztecs also used orchids and were the first to discover the vanilla orchid; the source of vanilla flavouring.
The famous Chinese philosopher, Confucius had a particular fondness for orchids and grew them in his own garden, and some of his writings share his love for the flower. They have become associated with scholarly pursuit and wisdom in China.

Peony
Bashfulness. Good fortune. Joy. Devotion.
A Chinese legend says that an Empress ordered all the flowers in the imperial garden to bloom. All the flowers obeyed, except for the peony. Angered at the flower’s stubbornness, the Empress banished the peony to the coldest region of the empire. Despite this, the peony still thrive and bloomed, and the Empress finally allowed it to return to the gardens. They are used to symbolise wealth and were strongly associated with the imperial family. Peonies are also used in Chinese traditional medicine as a treatment for headaches.
A Greek myth tells the story of the nymph Paeonia, who the god Apollo had fallen in love with. This caught the notice of the goddess Aphrodite, which made Paeonia bashful and turn bright pink. Aphrodite then decided it was appropriate to turn the nymph into a pink peony.

Poppy
Grief. Remembrance. Strength.
Poppies were significant in both mythology and medicine. The flowers have been found in Egyptian tombs and featured on jewelry and art. The ancient Greeks used them to improve athletic ability by eating the seeds mixed with honey and wine. The poppy flower is associated with Morpheus, the god of sleep and dreams, and the name for morphine derives from this. Poppies also hold significance in regards to remembrance of soldiers’ sacrifice, as the flower tends to be one of the first plants to regrow on battlefields after they have been destroyed by war. Poppy button holes are worn to remember fallen soldiers.

Rose
Love.
Many stories about the origin of roses stem from Greek mythology. One legend says that they came from the goddess Aphrodite’s tears. Another story tells that they gained their red colour from Aphrodite’s blood after stepping on a thorn.
Red roses symbolise romantic love, while yellow roses symbolise friendship. The shade of roses can also be important in communicating a level of love. Pink roses are more suitable for new relationships, while red symbolises the deepening of love.
In Russia, it could be considered inappropriate to send a dozen red roses. Even numbered arrangements are reserved for funeral or sympathy bouquets, while odd numbers are more typical for happy occasions.

Snapdragon
Graciousness. Deception.
Snapdragons originated in the Mediterranean region and spread throughout Europe after the rise of the Roman Empire. They are named because their flower resembles the snout of a dragon. Snapdragon seed pods resemble tiny human skulls and were believed to protect against witchcraft and curses.
In Victorian culture, a bouquet of snapdragons could signify that a proposal was coming soon. A popular trend was to hide snapdragon flowers in one’s clothing, under the belief it made a person appear alluring and fascinating. In flower language, the snapdragon could either represent graciousness or deception, the latter likely because of their concealment in clothing.

Sunflower
Loyalty. Adoration. Hopeless devotion.
Sunflowers were first grown in the Americas and their seeds were used as food and crushed into flour to make bread. Sunflowers always face towards the sun and therefore represent warmth and sunlight throughout many cultures. In Greek mythology, a nymph called Clytie was in love with Apollo, the god of the sun. At first, he loved her too, but then he was distracted by another nymph. Enraged with jealousy, Clytie went to the father of the other nymph and told him. There are several variations of the story, but the father either banishes or buries his daughter alive for this. Apollo was furious at Clytie for this and turned her into a sunflower in retaliation. Even as a flower, she still loved him so much that she turned her head to watch him fly across the sky every day.

Sweet Pea
Bliss. Delicate pleasure. Farewell.
Sweet peas were traditionally giving as a departure gift in Victorian culture. They were also seen as a symbol of friendship as well as happiness because of their fragrance, and it was thought that the scent would draw people towards you. Their delicate petals and vivid but soft colours associate them with blissful happiness, as well as their popularity for growing in home gardens. An Irish superstition tells that you should plant a sweet pea on St Patrick’s day to make it grow larger and more fragrant.

Thistle
Chivalry. Independence.
In 1540, King James V of Scotland established the Order of the Thistle, an order of knights who wore a badge depicting a star and a thistle. There is a Scottish legend about a group of Scottish soldiers who were sleeping and unaware that their enemies, the Norse, were nearby. One of the Norse soldiers stepped on a thistle and cried out, alerting the Scottish to their presence and ruining their surprise attack. This cemented the flower’s association with chivalry and strength.
In Norse mythology, the thistle was believed to be the flower of Thor, god of thunder. Wearing a thistle was supposed to be good luck as it gave you protection of Thor, as well as warding away lightning strikes.

Tulip
Passion. Declaration of love.
In Persian folklore, the red tulip features in the love story between the commoner Farhad and princess Shirin. The princess’s father didn’t approve of her marrying a commoner and gave him the impossible task of carving a canal out of a mountain. Farhad was not discouraged by this task and set to work immediately, labouring until he had completed the canal as requested. When Shrin’s father, the Shah, heard about this, he sent a messenger to Farhad to tell him that Shirin had died. Heartbroken at this new, Farhad took his own life. When the princess heard what had happened, she ran to his body and joined him in death. The blood of the two star-crossed lovers pooled together and grew a tulip, connecting the flower with love forever.
Europeans became obsessed with tulips and caused a financial bubble with their love of the flower. Tulips were coveted as a luxury item and bulbs were bought and resold for more than ten times the yearly wage of an average worker. "Tulipmania" remained popular into the Victorian era, with tulip societies being created to run flower shows, where prizes were awarded for the best tulips. Tulip societies declined at the beginning of World War I, but their enduring symbolism of love remained.

Violet
Faithfulness. Modesty
In the Victorian era, a gift of violets meant a declaration of faithfulness and were often given to newlyweds. Most violets are edible and have been used in Greek and Roman culture to create love potions. Some believed that wearing violets in your hair would protect from inebriation, and another common belief was that carrying violets on you could drive away evil spirits.

Waratah
Devotion. Perseverance.
The waratah is native to Australia and features in its own Dreamtime story. Many flowers and plants existed during the Dreamtime, but some of them were said to have changed form - including the Waratah. The flower is usually deep red but sometimes it can be white. During the Dreamtime, all waratah flowers were white. The story is about Wonga, a pigion who lived in the bushland with her mate. They swore they would never be outside of each other's sight and to stay below the treeline because their enemy, the hawk could hurt them. One day, they got separated and Wonga couldn't find her mate anywhere. She searched and eventually found him, but the hawke found her first. The hawk crushed Wonga in its talons and pulled her away, but she desperately broke free and plummeted to the ground. She landed in a patch of white waratah flowers and stained them red with her blood as she tried to drag herself to her mate. She crawled from flower to flower and dyed them all red until she could move no longer. From this story, the waratah can symbolise devotion to a loved one and the will to never give up.

Wisteria
Long life. I cling to you.
Wisteria is a common spring motif in Japanese art. They are associated with nobility because of their colour, as commoners were historically forbidden from wearing purple. It is also a symbol of longevity, as the wisteria plants can live to over 140 years old. Korean folklore has a myth about twin sisters who both fell in love with the same man. Being unable to settle their argument of who should have him, the two drowned themselves and were transformed into the wisteria vine. The man they loved also threw himself into the pond they had drowned in and was turned into a nettle tree, which wisteria often grows on. The wisteria arrives in Europe in the 1800s and its curling vines inspired its floriographical interpretation of overwhelming desire and passion. As the flower was difficult to cultivate and fairly new to the continent, using wisteria in a bouquet was considered a strong statement.

Zinnia
Endurance. Remembrance. Wisdom.
Zinnia flowers are used by southwestern Native American tribes and are considered one of the sacred medicinal plants of the Navajo people. Some Pueblo tribes also believed the zinnia represented wisdom and would feed the flowers to young children in the hope they’d grow up with great intelligence. The Victorian interpretation of the flower connected it with remembrance of absent friends and endurance.


Sandys, F. (1867).Love’s Shadow.
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In floriography, flowers have meanings attached to them. However, the colour of the flower can also change or enhance the meaning. A simple example of this is how red roses symbolise romance, while yellow roses are a symbol of friendship. This is because of colour symbolism: that colours have their own distinct meaning.
The symbolism of each colour is not universal, though there is a lot of overlap between different cultures. Colour symbolism has changed throughout time as different cultural influences affect public consciousness, but there is a degree of natural colour psychology that generally applies overall.




Red❤️
Red is the colour of blood and is associated with love and passion, but also with danger and anger. In Asian cultures, red carries the association of good luck and happiness. It is a traditional colour for holidays, particularly Lunar New Year, and weddings.

Pink💗
Pink is associated with softness and sweetness, and as a less harsh form of red. It was a popular colour in 19th century England for young boys, as they were considered to be small versions of men, and men wore red uniforms. In Japan, pink is strongly associated with springtime.

Purple💜
Purple is associated with royalty and luxury, as purple dye was restricted to only the wealthy in several parts of the world due to its expense and difficulty to obtain. It is also associated with mystery and magic, as well as art and imagination.

Blue💙
Blue is the colour of the sky and ocean. It is associated with calmness and serenity, peace, and stability. Since the end of World War II, blue has been used as a colour to represent boys as a result of a marketing ploy. Before then, it was associated with the Virgin Mary to depict her as being gentle and full of grace.

Green💚
Green is the colour of nature and is strongly associated with springtime in the West. It represents the natural world, healing, and freshness. It can also be used to represent sickness or jealously, and in the US particularly can be associated with jealousy of green because of the colour of the US Dollar.

Yellow💛
Yellow represents warmth , joy, and happiness, and it is the colour of the sun. It is a bright colour that stands out, which makes it popular for marketing. It can also be used to represent cowardice, such as the phrase "yellow-bellied". Yellow is an imperial colour in China and represents the earth, power, and prosperity.

Orange 🧡
The colour orange was named for the fruit, the orange. Is is associated with warmth, bravery, joyfulness, and rejuvenation. In ancient times, it was seen as a colour of comfort and fruitfulness.

I ran a survey of holidays commonly celebrated in Australia and the flowers that people already associate with them. Twenty people were surveyed, including people working in or studying Floristry, and some who were not involved in the industry. The purpose of the survey was to find out how flowers are currently used in celebrations, and to trace back the origins of those blooms. I wanted to find out if and how Australian native flower have been incorpotated into holidays, and how the majority of Australia's holidays being brought from other countries impact the popularity of certain flowers.

The results would suggest that our Southern Hemisphere location has influenced some holidays, but also that the older associations stemming from mainly Europe are still in place despite being seasonally incorrect for the Australian climate.

New Year's
Mistletoe. Seasonal summer flowers. Narcissus. Carnations. Lilies.

Lunar New Year
Red flowers. Gladiolus. Orchid. Lotus.

Australia Day
Wattle. Flanders Poppy. Natives. Leacadendron. Waratah.

Easter
Any pastel coloured flower. White flowers to Easter Day, purple for Good Friday/Lent. Tulips. Gerbera.

ANZAC Day
Rosemary, Poppies. Banksia. Protea. Eucalyptus gum.

Mother's Day
Chrysanthemums. Dahlia. Spray roses. Carnatons. Pink, mauve, light blue.

Reconciliation Day
Orange. Harmony. Purple flowers, for healing. Daffodils.

Queen's Birthday
Sweet peas. Roses. Tulips. Royal oak foliage.

Father's Day
Woody native flowers. Australian Native Flowers. Roses. Orchids.

Halloween
Autumn tones/blooms. Pumpkin. Ranunculus/buttercup flowers. Orange roses. Burgundy chrysanthemum.

Christmas
Holly. Red, green. Pine. Mistletoe. Ivy.

Traditional vs Australian Christmas Flower Interpretation:

Amaryllis | Poinsetta | Holly / 🎅 / Wattle | Waratah | Australian Mistletoe

Bouquet for New Beginnings
Honeysuckle - for a happy home
Alstromeria - success
Daffodil - for new beginnings
Sunflower - for devotion
Sweet pea - for joy
Honeysuckle traditionally has associations with a happy home, and combined with other flowers to communicate success, joy, and love, this bouquet would be ideal to give to an individual or a couple who have just moved into their first home.

Bouquet for a New Baby
Peony - Joy and devotion
Flannel flower - wisdom of youth
Buttercup & daisies - Innocence
Viburnum - calm and relaxation
Buttercups and daisies are associated with children and childhood innocence, so they would be perfect to include in a bouquet for someone who had a new baby. Flannel flowers are also a very good option as a native Australian flower, a reminder that children have as much to teach us as we do for them. And, because new parents are always exhausted, combining flowers that symbolise calm, protection, and relaxation communicate your wishes that they get some sleep.

Bouquet for Comfort
Marigolds - grief and consolation
Poppies - grief and remembrance
Anemone - consolation after loss
Rose - love and friendship
Clematis - love and understanding
This bouquet would be good to give to somebody who had experienced a loss, to let them know you understood their grief and are there for them. Using yellow roses instead of a more traditional red would transform this bouquet into a symbol of friendship.

Bouquet for a Friend
Yellow roses - friendship
Hydrangea - unity
Geranium - sincerity
Bluebell - gratitude
A bluebell and a hydrangea would tell your friend that you're grateful you get to know them, and the gerbera adds sincerity to this statement. Paired together, this bouquet communicates a friendly statement of happiness towards somebody you care about.

Flowers are one way to communicate without words, but the practice of floriography has largely fallen out of fashion since the Victorian age. A modern alternative that is currently popular is the use of emojis to communicate more specific sentiments than originally intended via texting or the internet.

🚪🏃️💨 -leaving right now/time to leave
👉 👈 - Feeling shy/simping
😎🤏😳🕶🤏 - What did I just witness???
🍿🤏😯 - I'm here for the drama
👁👄👁 - Blank stare
👉🙄👈 - I don't care what you're saying, I'm not listening
😂 - This is slightly amusing (but I'm not laughing)
ಠ_ಠ - Look of Disapproval
¯\_(ツ) _/¯ - Shrug, I do not know

(◡‿◡🌸) (ʘ‿ʘ🌸) "What you say 'bout me?" (ʘ‿ʘ)ﾉ🌸 "Hold my flower" 🌸＼(｡-_-｡)


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