Imagine having an intimate conversation with someone you love. Now imagine how that conversation would occur without speaking, or even writing. Imagine finding someone you'd very much like to know better. Suppose they're interested in you as well. Imagine getting that relationship off the ground without using words of any kind.
That was the situation during much of the 1800's in Victorian England. Extreme discretion was required. Emotional expression, especially if it was romantic in nature, was strictly taboo. Such thoughts couldn't even be whispered or written down. As a result people soon found other ways to express their thoughts and feelings. One popular way was to attach special meanings to flowers.
Specific meanings were given to every variety and color of flower. As a result, a bouquet of flowers could become a secret message. In addition, the way the flowers were presented, the way they were accepted also added special meanings. Many of the secret messages were romantic, but some were rejections and some were even insults. Complete conversations could be carried on using only flowers.
Together with the language of flowers, small bouquets, known as tussie-mussies, became a secret way to declare intentions and make refusals, acceptances and rejections. Flowers allowed Victorians a way to express their emotions and thoughts without speech or writing.
Eventually the symbolism became so complex that help was needed to decipher the messages. Dictionaries and even whole books were written to ensure that the messages were properly conveyed and clearly understood.
Before the Victorians, other cultures used flowers to express emotions. In ancient times cultures like the Greeks and Persians gave their own meanings to flowers. The Japanese too, created their own flower language. The exact meanings of the flowers and colors change over time to fit the needs of the culture but the use of flowers to express emotions continues to this day.
Many cultures had elaborate and lengthy courtship rituals. The giving and receiving of flowers was often an important part of the process. Those practices led to the prominent place of flowers in our modern culture. Valentines Day, Mothers Day, and Easter, among others, simply wouldn't be the same celebrations without flowers and plants.
Although we don't use flowers in quite the same way as the Victorians, we still use flowers to express our emotions. For Valentine's Day this year, rather than sending a simple message, such as "I love you" with roses, think about using a hidden message with a bouquet of mixed flowers. Search online for "language of flowers" to jump start your ideas. Don't forget to add a note to explain the hidden message. Remember to order Valentine flowers in advance for a timely delivery. - 16035
That was the situation during much of the 1800's in Victorian England. Extreme discretion was required. Emotional expression, especially if it was romantic in nature, was strictly taboo. Such thoughts couldn't even be whispered or written down. As a result people soon found other ways to express their thoughts and feelings. One popular way was to attach special meanings to flowers.
Specific meanings were given to every variety and color of flower. As a result, a bouquet of flowers could become a secret message. In addition, the way the flowers were presented, the way they were accepted also added special meanings. Many of the secret messages were romantic, but some were rejections and some were even insults. Complete conversations could be carried on using only flowers.
Together with the language of flowers, small bouquets, known as tussie-mussies, became a secret way to declare intentions and make refusals, acceptances and rejections. Flowers allowed Victorians a way to express their emotions and thoughts without speech or writing.
Eventually the symbolism became so complex that help was needed to decipher the messages. Dictionaries and even whole books were written to ensure that the messages were properly conveyed and clearly understood.
Before the Victorians, other cultures used flowers to express emotions. In ancient times cultures like the Greeks and Persians gave their own meanings to flowers. The Japanese too, created their own flower language. The exact meanings of the flowers and colors change over time to fit the needs of the culture but the use of flowers to express emotions continues to this day.
Many cultures had elaborate and lengthy courtship rituals. The giving and receiving of flowers was often an important part of the process. Those practices led to the prominent place of flowers in our modern culture. Valentines Day, Mothers Day, and Easter, among others, simply wouldn't be the same celebrations without flowers and plants.
Although we don't use flowers in quite the same way as the Victorians, we still use flowers to express our emotions. For Valentine's Day this year, rather than sending a simple message, such as "I love you" with roses, think about using a hidden message with a bouquet of mixed flowers. Search online for "language of flowers" to jump start your ideas. Don't forget to add a note to explain the hidden message. Remember to order Valentine flowers in advance for a timely delivery. - 16035
About the Author:
A leading Tampa florist, A-Bow-K Florist and Gifts has been delivering Valentines Day flowers and gifts to Tampa and the surrounding area for 25 successful years.
