Floriography

Crash Course on the Language of Flowers

In ancient history, flowers were a major part of religious traditions. They served as offerings to gods and played roles in relaying their myths. Flowers also came to represent values and virtues in many communities.

People knew how essential flowers were in interactions. So they began to assign various meanings to flowers. They became a means to share thoughts and feelings.

In the 1700s, French and Englishmen created a way to give meanings to flowers. This led the way to the field of floriography, or the language of flowers.

In this article, we discover the origins behind the language of flowers. We go back to a brief history on the practice of gifting flowers.

We look at the ways in which the language of flowers has changed over time, across various cultures. We also learn about the meanings we give certain flowers and arrangements today.

Interested in a formal course? Want to get certified as a flower expert? Check out organizations offering classes in floristry, like:

• American Institute of Floral Designers (www.aifd.org).

• Society of American Florists (www.safnow.org).

• American Floral Endowment (www.endowment.org).

History of Floriography.

The Greeks and Romans held blooms in high regard. They admired blooms' natural allure and vivid hues.

In their vast collection of myths, the tale of Persephone focuses on flowers. The delicate girl is also called the Spring Goddess.

Persephone tended to gardens both in the Underworld and on earth. Bright blooms flourished in full with her care. Different species blossomed in her gardens. Many claimed that they grew even more beautiful in her presence to delight her.

Likewise, Ancient Egyptians decorated their carts with wreaths before going off to war. They also set flowers in their loved one's tomb before burying them.

The Egyptians hung florals around their offerings to their gods. They did this as a token of love and devotion. The lotus flower was their most adored flower. It carried meanings of rebirth, so they used them in their gifts.

Over time, these societies used flowers based upon the meanings linked to them. Lilies, for instance, stood for purity.

The colonial era produced the first full guide to flowers and their meanings. This developed side by side with floristry. People began to adapt floral designs to the meanings behind flowers.

The Art and Science of Flower Meanings.

The Victorian Era set the pace for the more complex language of flowers today. People from this time relied quite a lot on flowers to convey their feelings. As such, experts had to write out entire books on flower meanings.

Greeks and Egyptians used bundles of the same bloom. In contrast, the Victorian period saw arrangements with a wide range of flowers. This was to convey a mix of meanings of different flowers.

Floriography then turned into an entire field of study. It set out to give flowers meaning based upon where and when it grew.

Today, people know that blooms hold a vast range of meanings. One needs to consider the flower's history, color, and its place in its arrangement. This is the best way to embody true feelings and sentiments.

In recent decades, people have started to factor in flowers' scents. They're now as essential as the colors and shapes of flowers in floral design. Flower shops also include fragrances in their marketing appeal.

To this day, we still use flowers based upon their meanings. We even have a whole field of study on the meanings of flowers and arrangements!

This has helped us honor important occasions. It has allowed us to convey our feelings to others. Most important of all, it lets us mourn the loss of loved ones.

We give bouquets of long-stemmed roses for Valentine's Day. We present baskets as a birthday or housewarming gift. We pay respects with floral tributes for grieving families. Whatever we experience, flowers always let us convey ourselves in the most meaningful way!

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