{"id":15915,"date":"2025-02-18T02:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T02:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onhee.com\/?p=15915"},"modified":"2025-02-18T02:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T02:00:00","slug":"the-secret-language-of-flowers-diy-weddings-flower-moxie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onhee.com\/?p=15915","title":{"rendered":"The Secret Language of Flowers | DIY Weddings | Flower Moxie"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Secret Language of Flowers | DIY Weddings | Flower Moxie<\/h2>\n

As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Written by Jessica Reeves<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

What\u2019s it all mean???<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n

I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve heard before that certain flowers have particular meanings, most commonly, red roses signifying love (there\u2019s a reason why during the month of February, before V-day, red roses triple in cost). \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Different flowers, herbs and plants have had various meanings across different cultures forever. Rosemary, a plant that cross-culturally, from ancient times, has represented remembrance and constancy, was used during memorial services and weddings to remember those who had passed before. In the late 19th century, various meanings were assigned to different flowers and plants. Eventually, such lists were published into books and dictionaries explaining the complex language of flowers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cA flower is not a flower alone, a thousand thoughts invest it\u201d<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

\n

– Mandy Kirby and Vanessa Diffenbaugh, “The Language of Flowers”<\/p>\n<\/h6>\n

\n

Let\u2019s Start at the Beginning<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n

Every good idea has its roots based in something else (see what I did there\u2026roots??) Victorians weren\u2019t the first ones to come up with the idea of assigning flowers and greenery meaning. Floral symbolism has been happening in Western culture for centuries. Japan also has its own floral language called <\/span>Hanakotoba, <\/span><\/em>the language meant to convey emotion and communicate directly without needing to use words. It can be found in Greek mythology, Pagan rituals and Renaissance artwork. Another foundation can be found within Turkish <\/span>Selam, <\/span><\/em>the language of objects<\/span>. <\/span><\/em>Various objects were attributed different meanings and then sent as encoded messages to the recipient.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Selam <\/em>was popularized by European tourists during the first half of the 18th century and then was brought to England by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, the wife of the ambassador to the Porte of Constantinople. She was able to popularize the idea of romantic symbolic language by sharing it with friends back in England- which then became attributed to flowers. As Europeans traveled back to their homes, they brought back this idea of secret messaging and publishers quickly started selling Floral Dictionaries. Each dictionary built on its predecessor, so while they all had a vocabulary list of flowers paired with their symbolic meanings, not every dictionary attributed the same meanings to the same flowers. (I\u2019m sure you can see how this would become a sticky situation, yikes!) <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In Victorian culture, it was established that the wearing or carrying of flowers was more appropriate than the wearing of jewelry. It was a common practice, among all classes, to give and receive flowers. In a culture that frowned upon loud declarations of affection, the subtle messages to be found in a bouquet were definitely preferred. Tussie-Mussies (small hand held bouquet) or Nosegays, were severely judged at social functions: a bouquet that was poorly arranged or mistranslated reflected on the carrier\u2019s judgment (kinda like the comments section in Instagram but instead of on a screen you were being judged to your face).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a scenario:<\/span><\/p>\n

Todd goes to Judith\u2019s house during calling hours and brings her a small bouquet of flowers. Todd wants to tell Judith that he\u2019d like to court her formally without asking her parents outright (big no-no TODD!) and wants to know if she would be acceptable to this idea and if she returns his affections. He consulted his flower dictionary and the flowers he uses to express his admiration for her are: Baby\u2019s Breath (everlasting love), a yellow carnation (admiration), feverfew (you light up my life) and fern (sincerity).<\/span><\/p>\n

Judith consults her flower dictionary which is from a different publisher than Todd\u2019s. Her interpretation of the bouquet is Baby\u2019s Breath (gaiety), yellow carnation (disdain), feverfew (flirt) and fern (sincerity). Which she loosely takes into translating that Todd thinks she\u2019s a \u201cplaying loose with her affections and he doesn\u2019t trust her.\u201d This doesn\u2019t seem like a good sign.<\/span><\/p>\n

That evening at the ball that both Judith and Todd are attending, he waits anxiously for Judith to arrive. Depending on where she wears the flowers that he gave her will determine how she returns his affections. Wearing them over her heart indicates Judith returns Todd\u2019s affections; worn in her cleavage means that she just views Todd as a friend. Judith arrives. Alas! She\u2019s wearing the flowers in her hair which means she doesn\u2019t return Todd\u2019s affections. BURN.<\/span><\/p>\n

Countless cultures, throughout time, have attributed meaning and symbology to different flowers and plants. Here at Flower Moxie, we know the importance of flowers, especially the part they play in a couples\u2019 special day! Even after the celebrations have ended, consider gifting a friend or loved one a bouquet to send a message that\u2019s just for them. Whether it\u2019s to celebrate a new job, an addition to a family, or to commiserate over tough times, let a special person in your life know that you\u2019re there to support them. Let flowers speak for you when sometimes you don\u2019t have the words. Below, we\u2019ve compiled a flower dictionary of some of the flowers that we offer here at Flower Moxie! Try your hand at creating your own flower message!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Flower Meanings<\/p>\n<\/h1>\n

\n

<\/span><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

\n

A<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n

Amaranthus<\/span>: immortality, unfading love<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n