The Romantic Language of Flowers during the Victorian Era

Bouquet of Roses

Language of Flowers

 

The language of flowers, sometimes called floriography, was a means of communication during theVictorian Era. Flowers were used to”communicate”or send messages expressing feelings which were”not proper” to be spoken during that time. This language was most commonly communicated through Tussie-Mussies,or bouquets, an art which has a following today.

These were small bouquets of flowers wrapped in a lace doily and tied with satin. The intrigue of secret messages sent this way, became a popular pastime.

 In the early 18th century the Turkish “Secret Language of Flowers”was introduced to Europe by Lady Mary Wortley Montague, wife of the British ambassador to Constantinople. Flowers had long been a sign of romance and began being used by lovers to send secret messages to each other by means of sending flowers. Each flower had a specific meaning and the order of arrangement had much to do with the intended “message”.    Read more…

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