The

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A Vic tor ian means o f communicat ion

The ar t o f Floriography

The language of flowers known as ‘Floriography’

was a Victorian means of communication. This

book celebrates this ‘lost’ language with

definitions for the most well known plants and

flowers. It is curated in a ‘Floriography Alphabet’

using illuminated letters to represent the flowers.

The book is complete with 2 additional posters

and bouquet cards to accompany the flowers you

wish to send.

The

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1 - 2

3 - 8

9 - 1 5

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Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

FLORIOGRAPHY

The hi s tor y and or ig ins o f the f lora l language

FLORAL ETIQUETTE

How to pre s ent your f lower s correc t l y

THE FLOWERS

The Flor iography a lphabet and the i r meanings

CONTENTS

The

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I ’ D R AT H E R H AV E

R O S E Son my table , than diamonds

O N M Y N E C K- Emma Goldman

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F L O R I O G R A P H YThe hi s tor y and or ig ins o f

the f lora l language

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FLORIOGRAPHY

For centuries, flowers, herbs and various

plants have given much pleasure to

people of all the nations, their beauty has

the unique ability to bring cheer when

someone is ill or downhearted, their

fragrances can be used to make lovely

perfumes, delicate foliage can be used for

certain medicines and foods, and

pungent smells can bestir mood. In

fact, they have been so outstanding in

this regard, that there is no wonder that

mankind has attached significant

meanings to them, actually going as far

as to formulate a language all their own

called Floriography. This ‘language’ was

particularly utilized during the Victorian

era; however, flowers well into past

generations have had religious and

symbolic meanings, and still do today.

For example, there were references given

to flowers, herbs and plants in Biblical

times, and during the Middle Ages,

herbs were even believed by some to have

magical powers. Therefore, they were

given a place of honour in the royal floral

gardens. The use of these floral ‘gardens’

existed well into the Victorian era, and

helped to create the elaborate list of

meanings to describe these beloved

flowers. History relates that during the

reign of Queen Victoria, which lasted

from 1837 to 1901, (known as the

Victorian era) the language of flowers

was as important to people as being “well

dressed.” For example, the recognizable

scent of a particular flower, plant or

perhaps a scented handkerchief sent its

own unique message.

Flowers adorned almost everything, hair,

clothing, jewellery, gowns, men’s lapels,

home décor and china, and stationery, to

name a few. A young man could either

please or displease a lady by his

gift of flowers.

Flowers would convey messages of love

or dislike upon which ones were given,

their sizes how they were held, and also

grouped together. They had a silent

meaning of their very own, and could

“say” what was not dared to be spoken.

Even the manner in which flowers were

sent had a special meaning.

Information on this is included in the

‘Floral Etiquette’ chapter.

Dictionaries were written to explain

The

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1.

this language to all, and were especially

used by lovers. One could learn that

Roses symbolized love, in general, but

each variety and colour had each, his

own meaning. The Lilies, generally

symbolized beauty, but it also has

many varieties, thus many diversified

meanings. Consider the quandary that

could have developed if lover’s used two

different dictionaries, with each possibly

having its own connotation. There

could, potentially, be some real

misunderstandings. So, we see the

importance of acquiring accurate

information in this regard.

Those of the Victorian era liked to make

up bouquets. Tussie-Mussies were

generally very well liked gifts. 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. Today, one

may find it difficult to express his true

feelings. One may wonder, “How do I

say I love you?” or “I want to be your

friend” or “You are special.” If one is

gifted in such a way, he could compose a

song, or write a poem. Or, he could

do something much easier and more

significant, he could give flowers!

Speak with finesse and bring the

language of flowers into your modern

day romance. Incidentally, be sure to

include an accompanying bouquet card,

found in the back of this book, that

explains their meaning.

victorianbazarr.com

They had a silent meaning of their very own, and could

“say” what was not dared to be spoken. Even the manner

in which flowers were sent had a special meaning.

2.

E T I Q U E T T EHow to pre s ent your

f lower s correc t l y

Flora l

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E T I Q U E T T EFlora l

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PRESENTATION

As well as individual flowers having

specific meanings, the manner in which

flowers were given did also. Depending

on which hand flowers were presented

in and their position, meant a yes or no

answer. For example, handing over

flowers with the right hand meant yes,

while with the left meant no, so if a beau

gave red roses the young lady might

reciprocate by extracting one and

handing it back with her right, or send

him packing with a bud from her left.

Inverted flowers represented the opposite

of the usual meaning. As well as the hand

used to present flowers, a bouquets

position also had meaning. Flowers

presented in an upright position meant

yes, in a downward position meant no.

This section includes:

1. Information on creating your own

Victorian Tussie Mussie

2. The appropriate way to give flowers

as well as receive them

3.

{ but spare the buds}”“Gather the f l ower s

- Andrew Marvell

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T U S S Y M U S S YCreat ing your

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DEFINITION

{Tussy Mussy: “A talking bouquet”}

A Tussy Mussy is a small, hand-held

bouquet popular in mid- 19th-century

Victorian England as an accessory

carried by fashionable ladies. Composed

of mixed flowers and herbs and edged

with a paper frill or greens, the

arrangement was sometimes inserted into

a silver filigree holder. When supplied

by an admirer, a Tussy Mussy became a

vehicle for the language of flowers.

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INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1 Create a small cluster of central flowers. Cut the central flowers to six inches long.

Hold one or two central flowers in one hand, and begin to add more flowers to the

central cluster. Make sure the diameter of the cluster is around four inches and that the

central flowers are creating a visual balance.

STEP 2 Add filler flowers. To add variety to the Victorian Tussy Mussy, you must place filler

flowers all the way around the central flowers. The best filler flowers are Baby’s Breath,

Pansies, Violets, and Hydrangeas. Now, secure the Tussy Mussy with ribbon or string,

making sure that the central flowers and the filler flowers are bunched up together in a

neat and beautiful manner.

STEP 3 Wrap the Tussy Mussy with a doily. You should wrap the doily around the Tussy

Mussy, making sure you cover the stems. If you don’t have a doily, you can also make

use of a handkerchief. Use it in the same way you use a doily. Or if you prefer, you

can use any ribbon or lace. Run it from below the leaves, spiralling it all the way to

the stems. Upon reaching the bottom, run it upwards to cover any exposed area. Now,

make sure you finish off the Tussy Mussy with a ribbon and an accompanying bouquet

card to explain the meaning.

howtodothings.com

EQUIPMENT:

One pair of scissors

Flowers, based on the message

you wish to convey

Ribbon

A lace doily

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PRESENTATION

NOWith your l e f t hand

Presenting flowers with your

left hand means no, as well

as taking flowers with your

left hand.

“Sorr y I can’t be wi th you”

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YESWith your r ight hand

Presenting flowers with your

right hand means yes, as

well as taking flowers with

your right hand.

“Your a f f e c t ions are re turned”

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F L OW E R SThe Flor iography a lphabet

and the i r meanings

The

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F L OW E R SThe

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A TO Z

A is for Acaciameaning ‘Secret Love’.

Acacia trees prefer soil that

is not too wet. Though, this

plant grows quickly, it is a

short lived plant.

B is for Bluebellmeaning ‘Humility’.

Bluebells grow in clusters

and are usually, but not

always, blue as the

name implies.

C is for Carnationmeaning ‘Bonds of affection’.

Carnations grow easily, and

in a variety of conditions,

including rocky areas.

D is for Daffodilmeaning ‘Unrequited Love’.

Daffodils belong to the

genus Narcissus. Daffodil

flowers have a trumpet

shaped structure.

E is for Eglantine Rosemeaning ‘A wound to heal’.

The Eglantine Rose is an

agressive plant which

grows in Central Otago,

New Zealand.

F is for Forget Me Notmeaning ‘True Love’.

Forget Me Not refers to

plants of the genus

Myosotis. There are roughly

50 species in this genus.

9.

G is for Gardeniameaning ‘You’re Lovely’.

This flower demands

high humidity to thrive

and bright (not direct)

light. Many Gardenias are

strongly scented.

H is for Honeysucklemeaning ‘Generous and devoted affection’.

The delightful fragrance of

Honeysuckle, is strongest in

the evening which attracts

pollinating Moths.

I is for Ivy meaning ‘Friendship’.

Ivy is a wild evergeen

climbing vine that attaches

itself to the back of trees

and other surfaces.

J is for Jonquil meaning ‘Affection returned’.

Jonquils are part of the

Narcissus family and are

very similar to Daffodils.

K is for Kingcupmeaning ‘Desire for riches’.Kingcup is a herbaceous

perrenial plant of the

Buttercup family, native to

marshes and wet woodland.

L is for Lavendermeaning ‘Devotion’.

Lavender is part of the

mint family, specifically the

Lamiaceae family, the genus

containing 25-30 species.

10.

The Language of Flowers was as important to people as

being ‘well dressed.’

M is for Marigold meaning ‘Comforts the Heart’.

Marigolds come in different

colours, yellow and orange

being the most common.

N is for Nasturtiummeaning ‘Conquest’.

Nasturtium’s peppery-

flavored flowers are good

to eat and taste good in

salads. The flower buds and

seedpods are also edible.

P is for Primrosemeaning ‘Young Love’.

The primrose, a common

and favoured wildflower

of England, has often been

celebrated in poetry.

Q is for Quincemeaning ‘Temptation’.

Quince is one of the earliest

known fruits. For over

4,000 years, Quince trees

have grown in Asia and the

Mediterranean.

R is for Red Rosemeaning ‘I Love You’.

The largest Rose ever bred

was a red Rose measuring

approximately 33 inches

in diameter.

O is for Orchidmeaning ‘You flatter me’.

The most important factors

for success with Orchids are

temperature, light, water

and fertilisation.

11.

S is for Snowdropmeaning ‘Hope’.

There are 75 different

species of Snowdrops. They

are all white.

T is for Tulip meaning ‘Fame’.

Tulips have been cultivated

for about 500 years. They

have their origin from

Central and Western Asia.

U is for Uvularia Grandiflora meaning ‘Good Luck’.

Uvularia grandiflora also

known as a Bellwort is a

plant in the family

Colchicaceae.

V is for Viscariameaning ‘Will you dance with me.’

The Viscaria flower also

known as Ultraviolet, is a

Perrenial flower.

W is for Water Lilymeaning ‘Purity of heart.’

The Water Lily is an object

used repeatedly in the oil

paintings of Claude Monet.

X is for Xeranthemummeaning ‘Cheerfulness under adversity.’

The Xeranthemum can be

used for it’s nectar which is

said to have health benefits.

12.

Y is for Yew meaning ‘Sorrow’.

The oldest tree in Europe

is said to be the Fortingall

Yew of Fortingall, Scotland,

near Loch Tay. It is 3,000

years old.

Z is for Zinnia meaning ‘Thoughts of friends’.

Zinnias bloom from mid

summer all the way until

frost. Zinnias come in an

array of colours.

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thegardener.co.uk

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The

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