Brielle's Avalon

There are a lot of ways to communicate.  Since ancient times plants have had symbolic meanings. By Shakespeare’s time they were well known enough to be casually understood in his writings. The language of flowers has been casually used for centuries, finally being formalized by Victorians in the 19th century. Lucky for us they collected odd things like this and folklore and folk songs then compiled and published them for easy reference before they were lost to modern times.

This was a way to send wordless messages, secret or just discrete. Ever wonder about those roses in old meeting rooms? It’s a quiet reference to the phrase “sub rosa” or “under the rose”. a reminder since ancient times that conversations or proceedings within the room were to remain confidential. “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance, pray, love, remember; and there is pansies, that’s for thoughts.” from W. Shakespeare, Hamlet. Also Ophelia speaks up  “There’s fennel for you, and columbines. There’s rue for you. And here’s some for me  I would give you some violets, but they all withered when my father died.” Not only did Shakespeare use plant symbolism but Chaucer and other medieval and renaissance authors sprinkle their plays and writings with references to flowers and herbs but so did the ancient Greeks, Romans, Persians as well as the Egyptians and Chinese and pretty much any culture you can name. It appears to be a common practice the world over.

Not all of these are flowers, some are just greenery but that’s nice in an arrangement, too. Things like almonds can be used in ways other than flower arrangements, maybe in cooking and other artwork. The most obvious use would be a bouquet, nosegay, corsage or boutonniere but there are other possible uses. Pressed or preserved flowers framed as remembrances. Work plants into your artwork, embroidery or other creative endeavors. Use botanical references to liven up your prose, poetry or lyrics. Really, there’s no limit to your imagination. You can even plan a garden around the symbolism of your choice.

This is by no means a compleat list of flowers, herbs, plants and their meanings, but it should be good enough to get you started and if you want you can find more on your own. In the lists I found there were plants I wasn’t even familiar with so I’ll just include plants that most people will be casually familiar with. which should be a long enough list anyway. Listing them alphabetically will make them easy to find and refer too.

Allium: Unity, Good fortune, Prosperity. Humility, Patience

Almond: Haste, Hope, Watchfulness

Aloe: Superstition

.Alyssum: Worth beyond beauty, Sweetness of soul

Amaranth: Faith, Immortality, Unfading love (Yes, it’s more than a grain, it’s an old garden flower)

Arbor vitae” Unchanging friendship

Bachelor Button: Protection, Healing, Likes a certain someone

Beech: Prosperity

Birch: Grace, Meekness

Camelia: Excellence, Loveliness (note: tea is Camelia sinensis)

Carnation: Admiration

Cherry Blossom, double: False Hopes

Cherry Blossom, single: Education

Clover: Fertility

Columbine: Folly

Crocus: Youthful gladness

Daffodils: Regard

Dahlia: Instability

Daisy: Innocence

Evening primrose: Fickleness, Faithlessness

Fennel: Strength, Worthiness

Ferns: Fascination

Fern, Bracken: Shelter

Forget me not: Forget me not

Foxglove: Pride, Energy, Magic

Gardenia: Purity, Gentleness

Geranium: Good health, Good wishes, Friendship, Foolishness

Grass: Usefulness

Heather: Solitude

Heliotrope: Constancy, Devotion, Infatuation

Holly: Foresight, Good wishes

Hollyhock: Circle of life, Ambition

Hyacinth: Games, Sport, Woe

Iris: Hope, Message, light, Power, Eloquence

Ivy: Fidelity

Jasmine: Admirability

Laurel (Bay leaf): Renown

Lavender: Distrust

Lily, white: Majesty, Purity

Lily, water: Eloquence

Lilly f the Valley: Return of happiness, Sweetness, Purity

Lotus: Enlightenment, Regeneration

Lupin: Imagination, Admiration

Magnolia: Nobility, Perseverance, love of nature

Marigold (African or French): Jealousy, Avarice

Marigold, common Calendula: Cares, Sorrow

Mistletoe: I surmount difficulties

Narcissus: Egotism

Nasturtium: Victory, Courage, Joy

Nettle: Slander

Oak: Hospitality

Olive: Peace, Security

Orange blossom: Chastity, Bridal

Orchid: Beauty, Refinement, Many children

Palm: Victory, Immortality

Pansy: Thought

Parsley: Feasting, Death

Peach blossom: A Bride

Peony: Prosperity, Good fortune

Pine, Fir, Spruce: Pity, Fidelity, Boldness

Poppy: Sleep, Consolation

Primrose: Early youth, Lover’s doubts and fears

Queen Anne’s Lace: Sanctuary

Rose, pink: Elegance, Refinement, Sweetness

Rose, red: Passion, Marital bliss, Respect

Rose, white: Purity, Innocence, Youthfulness, Eternal loyalty, Silence

Rose, yellow: Jealousy, Friendship, Joy, Welcome Back, Good luck

Rosebud: Youthful beauty

Rosemary: Remembrance

Rue: Mercy, Pity

Sage: Domestic Virtues

Snapdragon: Strength, Deviousness, Grace, Charm against falsehood

Sunflower: Pride, Riches

Sweet Pea: Departure:

Thistle: Defiance

Tuberose: Purity, Peace, Innocence

Tulip: Ardent love

Verbena: Romance, Sweet memories

Violet: Steadfastness

Willow: Forsaken love

Yarrow: Lasting love

Yew: Resurrection, Faith, Sorrow

Zinnia: Thoughts of absent friends

Bibliography:

The Magic Garden by Anthony S. Mercatante

Flower Lore” The Teachings of Flowers, Historical, Legendary, Poetical and Historical by Miss Carruthers of Inverness {Honest, years…OK, decades…ago I found it in Books out of Print and got it on Inter-library Loan!)

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