The Victorian Language of Flowers the Meaning of Flowers on Handkerchiefs

The Victorian Language of Flowers

Did you know you can convey your sentiments to someone without ever saying a word? That is of course if they happen to speak the Language of Flowers. Everyone loves beautiful flowers and it appears since ancient times that they had special symbolism. In the book Song of Solomon in the Bible you will find the loved one calling herself a Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley. Authors and poets often use flowers in their writings. The language of flowers became especially significant in the romantic Victorian era.

As I became interested in collecting and now selling vintage ladies handkerchiefs I found that you can tell a story or express a message to someone by giving them handkerchiefs with certain flowers embroidered or printed on them. Hankies are great gifts to send to far away friends in birthday, get well, or friendship cards. Hopefully this list will help you out in determining the meaning of certain flowers you will find on your ladies handkerchiefs. Enjoy!

 Acacia - Secret love

 Acorn - Nordic symbol of life and immortality

 Agapanthus - Love letters, love.

 Alium – Strength

 Aloe - Grief

 Allspice - Compassion

 Alstromeria - Wealth, prosperity, fortune

 Alyssum (sweet) - Worth beyond beauty

 Ambrosia - Love returned

 Amaryllis - Pride; Timidity

 Anemone - Unfading love, forsaken

 Angelica - Inspiration

 Aniseed - Restoration of youth

 Anthurium - Lover

 Apple - Preference

 Apple Blossom – Good Fortune, state flower of Arkansas & Michigan

 Arbutis – Thee only do I love

 Artemesia - Symbol of Dignity

 Asparagus Fern – Fascination

 Aster - Love; daintiness

 Azalea - Take care of yourself for me, fragile passion; Chinese symbol of womanhood

 Bachelor Button - Celibacy

 Baby's Breath - Everlasting Love, happiness

 Balsam - Ardent love

 Basil - Best Wishes, Love

 Bay Leaf - Strength

 Begonia - Beware

 Bells Of Ireland - Good luck

 Bird Of Paradise - Magnificence

 Bittersweet - Truth

 Bluebell - Humility; constancy

 Borage - Courage

 Bouquet of withered flowers - Rejected love

 Bouvardia: Enthusiasm

 Broom - Humility

 Burnet - A merry heart

 Buttercup - Cheerfulness

 Cactus – Endurance, warmth

 Calendula - Joy

 Calla Lilly - Magnificent beauty, associated with the sixth wedding anniversary.

 Camellia – Admiration, perfection, good luck gift to a man, state flower of Alabama

 Camellia Pink - Longing for you.

 Camellia Red - You're a flame in my heart.

 Camellia White - You're adorable.

 Candytuft - indifference

 Carnation (in general) Bonds of affection, health and energy, fascination, woman love, also the birthday flower for January

 Carnation (pink) - I'll never forget you, A Mother’s Love

 Carnation (purple) – Capriciousness, whimsical, changeable

 Carnation (red) - My heart aches for you, admiration ,state flower for Ohio

 Carnation (solid color) -Yes

 Carnation (striped)- No, refusal, sorry I can't be with you, wish I could be with you

 Carnation (white) - Sweet and lovely, innocence; pure love, woman's good luck gift, often handed out on Mother's Day to symbolize the purity and strength of motherhood.

 Carnation (yellow) – Rejection, disdain, you disappoint me

 Cattail – Peace, prosperity

 Chamomile – Patience, attracts wealth

 Chrysanthemum (in general) - Cheerfulness; You're a wonderful friend ,also the birthday flower for November

 Chrysanthemum (red) - I love

 Chrysanthemum (white) - Truth

 Chrysanthemum (yellow) -Slighted love

 Clematis - Clever, intellectual, associated with the eighth wedding anniversary.

 Columbine – Mental beauty, Colorado state flower

 Coreopsis - Always cheerful

 Coriander - Lust

 Cornflower - Delicacy

 Cosmos – Modesty, associated with the 2nd wedding anniversary.

 Cowslip – Pensiveness, winning grace

 Crocus – Cheerfulness, abuse not

 Cyclamen - Resignation and goodbye

 Clover - Good luck

 Daffodil - Respect, chivalry, associated with the tenth wedding anniversary, also the birthday flower for March.

 Daisy – Innocence, He loves me he loves me not, associated with the fifth wedding anniversary

 Dahlia – Instability, associated with the fourteenth wedding anniversary

 Dandelion - Wishes come true

 Day Lily - Coquetry, Chinese emblem for mother, associated with the twentieth wedding anniversary

 Delphinium - Big-hearted, fun

 Dogwood – Durability, state flower for North Carolina & Virginia

 Ebony - Blackness

 Edelweiss: Daring, Noble Courage

 Eremurus - Endurance.

 Euphorbia - Persistence

 Eucalyptus – Protection

 Fennel - Worthy of all praise

 Fern – Sincerity

 Fern - (Magic) – Fascination, confidence and shelter

 Fern- (Maidenhair) - Secret bond of love

 Feverfew - Protection

 Fir - Time

 Flax - Domestic symbol; fate

 Flytrap - Deceit.

 Forget-me-not - True love, memories, hope, state flower of Alaska

 Forsythia - Anticipation

 Four Leaf Clover - Good luck, be mine.

 Foxglove- Insincerity.

 Freesia - Innocence, thoughtfulness.

 Fuschia – Taste, associated with the third wedding anniversary

 Gardenia - You're lovely; secret love, joy, sweet love, good luck

 Garland of roses - Reward of virtue

 Garlic - Courage; strength

 Geranium (Scented) – Preference, melancholy, associated with the fourth wedding anniversary.

 Gladiolus - Love at first sight, tells recipients that they pierce the heart like a sword. Because the gladiolus has blade-shaped leaves, the name comes from the Latin word gladius, which means sword, also the birthday flower for August.

 Gloxina - Love at first sight

 Grass - Submission; utility

 Heather (lavender) – Admiration, solitude

 Heather (white) – Protection, wishes will come true

 Hibiscus - Delicate beauty

 Holly - Good will, Defense, domestic happiness; foresight

 Hollyhock -: Ambition, fruitfulness, associated with the thirteenth wedding anniversary.

 Honeysuckle - Generous and devoted affection, sweet disposition

 Hyacinth (general) - Games and sports; rashness, flower dedicated to Apollo

 Hyacinth (blue) - Constancy

 Hyacinth ( purple) - I'm sorry; please forgive me; sorrow

 Hyacinth (red or pink) - Play

 Hyacinth (white) – Loveliness, I'll pray for you

 Hyacinth (yellow) - Jealousy

 Hydrangea - Thank you for understanding, frigidity, heartlessness

 Hyssop - Wards away evil spirits

 Iris - Faith; hope, wisdom and valor, Fleur-de-lis, emblem of France, your friendship means so much to me, my compliments, associated with the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, state flower for Tennessee

 Ivy - Fidelity and friendship

 Ivy - sprig of white tendrils - Anxious to please, affection

 Jack in the pulpit - Associated with the seventh wedding anniversary

 Jasmine – Amiability, attracts wealth, sensuality

 Jasmine (Yellow) - Grace, elegance.

 Jonquil - Love me, affection returned, desire, sympathy, desire for a return of affection

 Juniper Protection

 Lady Slipper - Capricious beauty, state flower for Minnesota

 Larkspur – Fickleness, also the birthday flower for July

 Larkspur purple - First love.

 Lavender – Devotion, distrust, Induces sleep

 Lemon - Zest

 Lemon Balm - Brings love

 Lemon verbena - Attracts opposite sex

 Lilac - Youthful, humility, confidence, state flower of New Hampshire

 Lily (general) - Keeps unwanted visitors away

 Lily (calia) - Beauty

 Lily (day) - Coquetry

 Lily (eucharis) - Maiden charms

 Lily (orange) – I burn for you

 Lily (tiger) – Wealth, pride

 Lily (white) – Virginity, purity; majesty, it's heavenly to be with you, The Easter lily is also known as the symbol of the Virgin Mary.

 Lily (yellow) - I'm walking on air; false and gay

 Lily of the valley – sweetness, return to happiness; humility, purity, you've made my life complete, birthday flower for May, Legend says that Mary’s tears turned into Lily of the valley at the foot of the cross

 Magnolia - Sweetness; beauty, love of nature, state flower for Louisiana & Mississippi

 Marigold - Comforts the heart, grief

 Mint - Protection from illness; warmth of feeling

 Marjoram (sweet) - Joy and happiness

 Mimosa - Sensitivity

 Mistletoe - Kiss me, affection, to surmount difficulties, sacred plant of India, state flower for Oklahoma

 Monkshood - Beware, a deadly foe is near, chivalry

 Morning Glory - Loves you, associated with the eleventh wedding anniversary.

 Moss - Maternal love, charity

 Myrtle – Love, Hebrew emblem of marriage

 Narcissus - Egotism; formality, stay as sweet as you are

 Nasturtium – Conquest, victory in battle, maternal love, charity, patriotism, associated with fortieth wedding anniversary

 Oleander – Caution, beware

 OLIVE BRANCH - Peace

 Orange Generosity

 Orange Blossom - Brings wisdom, state flower for Florida

 Orange Mock – Deceit, state flower of Idaho

 Orchid - Love; beauty; refinement, beautiful lady, Chinese symbol for many children Orchid (cattleya) - Mature charm, associated with twenty-eighth wedding anniversary

 Palm leaves - Victory and success

 Pansy – Thoughts, love, recipient is being thought about. The flower's name comes from the French word pensée, which means thought or remembrance, associated with the first wedding anniversary

 Paperwhite - Aphrodisiac due to its intoxicating scent. It is also the national flower of Wales because it often blooms on March 1st, which is St. David's feast day, Wales' patron saint.

 Peach Blossom – Longevity, Generosity and Bridal Hope, state flower of Delaware

 Pear Blossom: Health and Hope

 Peony – bashfulness, Aphrodisiac, happy marriage, associated with the twelfth wedding anniversary, state flower for Indiana

 Petunia – Resentment, anger, oblivious, imagination

 Phlox – Unanimity, agreement,

 Poinsettia - Be of Good Cheer, Traditional Christmas flower

 Poppy - extravagance, associated with ninth wedding anniversary

 Poppy (red) – Pleasure, consolation

 Poppy (white) – Consolation, sleep

 Poppy( yellow) – Wealth, success

 Poppy (orange) State Flower of California

 Prickly Pear - Satire

 Primrose - I can't live without you; early youth

 Primrose(evening) - Inconstancy

 Queen Anne's Lace - Fantasy

 Rose (general) – Love, I love you, associated with fifteenth wedding anniversary, state flower for New York

 Rose (black) –Death

 Rose(burgundy) – Mourning

 Rose(damask) - Brilliant complexion

 Rose (lavender)- Love at first sight

 Rose (orange) - Fascination, display feeling of enthusiasm

 Rose (peach) - Desire, gratitude, appreciation, admiration, sympathy, modesty.

 Rose (pink) - Perfect happiness, please believe me, friendship

 Rose (red) I love you, courage, beauty

 Rose (red and white) – Together, unity

 Rose( white) - Eternal Love, innocence, heavenly, secrecy and silence, purity

 Rose(Yellow) - Friendship , jealousy, try to care, decrease of love, infidelity

 Rose(thorn less) - Love at first sight

 Rose( single, full bloom) - I love you, I still love you, simplicity

 Rose bud - Beauty and youth, a heart innocent of love

 Rose bud (red) - Pure and lovely

 Rose bud(white) - Girlhood

 Rosebud (moss) - Confessions of love

 Roses (Bouquet of full bloom) - Gratitude

 Roses( Garland or crown of) - Beware of virtue, reward of merit, crown, symbol of superior merit

 Roses ( musk cluster) - Charming

 Rose(tea) - I'll always remember

 Rose(cabbage) - Ambassador of love

 Rose(Christmas) - Tranquilize my anxiety, anxiety

 Rose(hibiscus) - Delicate beauty

 Rose leaf - You may hope

 Rosemary - Remembrance

 Sage Wisdom - long life

 Salvia -(blue) I think of you

 Smilax - Loveliness

 Snapdragon - Deception; gracious lad, presumption

 Snowdrop- Hope and Consolation

 Spiderflower - Elope with me

 Stephanotis - Happiness in marriage, desire to travel

 Stock - Lasting beauty

 Strawberry - Perfect goodness

 Sunflower - Loyalty; wishes, worshipped by the Inca Indians as a symbol of the sun, haughtiness

 Sweetpea - Goodbye; departure, blissful pleasure, Thank you for a lovely time, associated with thirtieth wedding anniversary

 Sweet William - Gallantry, smile, finesse

 Thyme - Strength and courage; ensures restful sleep

 Tulip (general) - Fame, charity, perfect lover, emblem of Holland

 Tulip (red) - Believe me; declaration of love

 Tulip (variegated) - Beautiful eyes

 Tulip (yellow) - Hopeless love

 Violet – Modesty, calms tempers, associated with the fiftieth wedding anniversary. Also known as the birthday flower of February, state flower of Illinois, New Jersey & Rhode Island

 Violet (blue) – Watchfulness, faithfulness, I'll always be true

 Violet (white) - Let's take a chance on happiness

 Viscaria - Will you dance with me?

 Wallflower:-Friendship, Adversity

 Water Lily – Purity of heart

 Woodruff - sweet humility

 Yarrow – healing, sorrow

 Zinnia - Thoughts of friends

 Zinnia (magenta) - Lasting affection

 Zinnia (mixed) - Thinking of an absent friend

 Zinnia (scarlet) - Constancy

 Zinnia(white) - Goodness

 Zinnia(yellow) - Daily remembrance

Looking for pretty ladies handkerchiefs. Check here: NANALULUS LINENS AND HANDKERCHIEFS

About the Author

Luanne Reilly Oda (nanalulu)
WWW.NANALULUSLINENSANDHANDKERCHIEFS.COM

The Language and Meaning of Flowers

Sweet flowers alone can say what passion fears revealing

Thomas Hood poem, The Language of Flowers

Flowers and bouquets of flowers have a meaning of their own. Most of us know that a dozen red roses means, “Be mine.” But did you know, for example, that a primrose means, “I can’t live without you,” or that a purple hyacinth means, “Please forgive me,” or that a pink carnation means, “I’ll never forget you,” or that a gladiolus means, “Give me a break?”

Flower meanings have been used to convey ideas, feelings and messages for centuries. The word, floriography, has been coined for the assignment of meaning to flowers. There is a meaning to colors of flowers, to numbers of flowers, and to groups of flowers. It is a silent language that has been largely lost to us through lack of use.

In addition to the obvious choices of color and variety, the language of flowers also includes the way flowers are worn or presented. Presenting flowers upright conveys a positive meaning, but if they are presented upside down the meaning is the opposite. If a ribbon is included with the flowers and is tied to the left then the meaning of the flowers refers to the giver, but if the ribbon is tied to the right then the meaning refers to the recipient. Also, flowers can be used to answer questions. When they are presented with the right hand the answer is “yes,” but when presented with the left hand the answer is “no.”

History

The Turks in the 17th century seemed to develop flower meanings. In 1718 the wife of the British ambassador to Constantinople, Lady Mary Wortley, wrote a letter expounding on the “Secret Language of Flowers” that she had discovered during her visits to Turkey. Europe quickly picked up on the concept.

In 1819 Louise Cortambert, under the pen name, Madame Charlotte de la Tour, wrote and published what seems to have been the first dictionary of the flower language entitled, Le Language des Fleurs. It was a small book, but it became a popular reference on the subject.

During the Victorian era, the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901, the meaning and language of flowers became increasingly popular. Victorian women especially picked up the silent language that allowed them to communicate feelings and meanings that the strict propriety of the times would not allow. Tussie-mussies, a bouquet of flowers wrapped with a lace doily and tied with a satin ribbon became a popular and valued gift of the times.

In 1884 a whole book on the subject and entitled, The Language of Flowers, by Jean Marsh and illustrated by Kate Greenaway, was published in London. It became popular and respected and has been the standard source for Victorian flower meaning ever since.

Selected Flower Meanings

Here are some selected flowers and their meanings, a short dictionary.

Almond flowers -- Hope

Anemone -- Forsaken

Aster -- Symbol of love

Balm -- Sympathy

Basil -- Best wishes

Bay leaf -- "I change but in death"

Bell flower, white -- Gratitude

Bergamot -- Irresistible

Bluebell -- Constancy

Borage -- Courage

Broom -- Humility

Campanula -- Gratitude

Carnation, pink -- I'll never forget you

Carnation, red -- My poor heart aches for you

Carnation, striped -- Refusal

China rose -- Beauty always new

Chrysanthemum -- Love

Clover, four leaved -- "Be mine"

Coreopsis -- Love at first sight

Cuckoo pint -- Ardor

Daffodil -- Regard

Daisy -- Innocence, new-born, "I share your sentiment"

Fennel -- Flattery

Fern -- Sincerity

Forget-Me-Not -- True love

Furze or Gorse -- Enduring affection

French Marigold -- Jealousy

Gardenia -- Ecstasy

Gentian -- Loveliness

Geranium -- "You are childish"

Hare bell -- Grief

Heartsease -- "I am always thinking of you"

Honeysuckle -- Bonds of love

Heather -- Admiration

Hyacinth -- I am sorry, Please forgive me

Ice Plant -- "Your appearance freezes me"

Ivy -- Fidelity, friendship, marriage

Jasmine -- Grace

Jonquil -- "I hope for return of affection"

Lavender -- Luck, devotion

Lemon Balm -- Sympathy

Lilac -- First love

Lily -- Purity, modesty

Lily of the Valley -- Purity, the return of happiness

Lily, Calla -- Beauty

Marigold -- Health, grief or despair

Marjoram -- Kindness, courtesy

Myrtle -- Fidelity

Oregano -- Joy

Orchid -- Love, beauty, refinement

Pansy -- Loving thoughts

Periwinkle -- Happy memory

Phlox -- Agreement

Poppy, red -- Consolation

Primrose -- I can't live without you

Rose, cabbage -- Ambassador of love

Rose, red -- Love

Rose, pink -- Grace, beauty

Rose, yellow -- Friendship

Rosemary -- Remembrance, constancy

Rue -- Contrition

Sage -- Gratitude, domestic virtue

Snowdrop -- Hope

Star of Bethlehem -- Purity

Sweet Pea -- Departure, tender memory

Sweet William -- Gallantry

Tuberose -- Voluptuousness

Tulip, red -- My perfect lover, Reclamation of love

Violet -- Loyalty, modesty, humility

Violet, blue -- Faithfulness

Wormwood -- Grief

Wheat -- Riches of the continuation of life

Willow, weeping -- Mourning

Wallflower -- Fidelity

Yew -- Sorrow

The Rose

The Rose is the flower whose meaning we most understand, but here are some details of the meaning of the Rose that may be of further interest.

Rose, Black – You are my obsession

Rose, Champagne – You are tender and loving

Rose, Leonidas – Sweet love

Rose, Nicole – You are graceful and elegant, aristocratic

Rose, Orange – You are my secret love

Rose, Pink – Brilliant complexion; the glow of your smile; perfect happiness

Rose, Red – Passionate love; I love you

Rose, Single Stems – Simplicity

Rose, White – I am worthy of you; spiritual love; Innocence and Purity; Secrecy and Silence

Rose, White and Red – We are inseparable

Rose, White and Red Mixed – Unity; Flower emblem of England

Rose, White, Dried – Death is preferable to loss of virtue

Rose, Yellow – Friendship; Jealousy; I am not worthy

Rose, Bridal – Happy Love

Rose, Dark Crimson – Mourning

Rose, Hibiscus – Delicate beauty

Rose, Tea – I’ll remember always

Rose, Thornless – Love at first sight

Roses, Bouquet of Mature Blooms – Gratitude

Multiple Roses

Single bloom red Rose – Love at first sight or I still love you

Single Rose, any color – Gratitude or simplicity

2 Roses – Mutual feelings

3 Roses – I love you

7 Roses – I’m infatuated with you

9 Roses – We’ll be together forever

10 Roses – You are perfect

11 Roses – You are my treasured one

12 Roses – Be mine

13 Roses – Friends forever

15 Roses – I’m truly sorry

20 Roses – I’m truly sincere towards you

21 Roses – I’m dedicated to you

24 Roses – Forever yours

25 Roses – Congratulations

50 Roses – Unconditional love

99 Roses – I will love you all the days of my life

108 Roses – Will you marry me?

999 Roses – I love you till the end of time

What To Do

With the lists above you should be able to assemble a meaningful gift of flowers or a bouquet that conveys a complex thought. Wrap the flowers appropriately and present them in a significant manner. Then, just to be certain that your efforts are not misinterpreted, include a card that fully explains the meaning of your flowers.

After a few flower presentations you should be able to drop the explanatory notes and begin enjoying and sharing the silent language of flowers.

About the Author

Garry Gamber is a public school teacher and entrepreneur. He writes articles about politics, real estate, health and nutrition, and internet dating services. He is the owner of The Dating Advisor and is the National Director of Good Politics Radio.

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