Floriography Just In Time For V-Day Floral Shopping

Another variation on the Victorian-Valentine's Day Theme. This time on the Language of Flowers.

In the 1800s, floriography, or the sending of messages via floral emblems, was hugely popular -- especially between young lovers (or at least, that's what all my Victorian novels lead me to believe). There were numerous volumes published in the middle part of the century that detailed the meaning of many a popular flower. An 1850 Glasgow published book called The Language of Flowers; Or Garden Telegraphs for Ladies and Gentlemen: a complete dictionary of floral emblems was a go-to guide for men and women looking to send messages of love, of empathy, of sympathy, and of Fuck You without writing one of those lengthy handwritten letters. Floriography "manuals" that featured illustrations and some verse were special editions and probably given as gifts. In 1847, John S. Adams published a 128page book with COLOR PLATES (how exciting!!) entitled The Language of Flower, Poetically Expressed.

There were tons more but today these Victorian standbys are pretty hard to lay your hands on. Barnes and Nobles does have a contemporary printing of Kate Greenway's illustrated manual, which is pretty awesome. Given the fact that Columbia only has copies of these in their Rare Book collection, I have consulted Google's results to compile the following list to help you lovebirds assemble those last minute bouquets. I've left out some of the cliched V-day varieties to help you think outside the box. Might I suggest an assemblage of baby's breath, blue violets, forget-me-nots and some red and white roses? Georgia O'Keefe certainly knew flowers had a (pretty sexy) language all their own.

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Baby's breath: Everlasting love

Carnations (pink): I'll never forget you
(white): Sweet and lovely; pure love
(avoid yellow, purple and striped -- those are all emblematic of bad feelings towards the receiver)

Forget-me-not: True love

Gladiolus: Love at first sight

Iris: faith; hope; wisdom and valor

Orchid: love, beauty, refinement, beautiful lady

primrose: I can't live without you
(avoid evening variety)

Roses: Yellow- Friendship
red & white together - unity
red & yellow - joy, happiness
thornless -- love at first sight

tea rose: I'll always remember

Tulips: Red -- declaration of love
yellow -- hopeless love
general -- perfect lover

Purple Lilac: first emotions of love

Acacia: secret love

Arbor Vitae: everlasting friendship

Morning glory: love in vain

sunflower: pure and lofty thoughts

Blue Violet: faithfulness

And what to give to the person who just broke your heart? Try a head of lettuce, which symbolizes cold-heartedness.