Floriography 'Language of Flowers'

The Victorian era or the Industrial Revolution from 1837-1901 transformed the world. The Victorians are famous for their strict social etiquette and emphasis on religious morality, which resulted in a highly conservative, puritanical or prudish culture. 

On the other hand, this era brought us culture, landscape design, literature, art. Through landscape design this era taught us more about nature and how to mold it esthetically. Natural history and botany was an obsession during this time period.

Floriography, 'the language of flowers' became popular during the Victorian era. All flowers had meanings, flowers given during this time always carried a message. Deciphering the messages of bouquets became a parlor game played by ladies. Floriography has become popular again and it is a fun way to see how people feel about each other by the flowers they give. 

Honeysuckle 

Honeysuckle is a vigorous, fragrant climber found in woodlands, on the edges of forests and on heathland. The petals, reddish outside and white inside, turn yellow on pollination.  Flowering from June- August.

According to Bach Flower Remedies, honeysuckle touches on the principle of capacity for change and ability to move forward without looking back. We do not want to be Lot’s wife in the bible, being warned not to look back, keep her eyes forward. She glanced back and turned into a pillar of salt. 

Bach wrote - This is the remedy to remove from the mind the regrets and sorrows of the past, to counteract all influences, all wishes and desires of the past and to bring us back to the present. 

Honeysuckle reminds us we do not have to look back to utilize our lessons learned, honeysuckle reminds us to be present, listen to our spirit guides and angels guidance. 

According to Victorian Floriography giving honeysuckle plants or flowers is a show of devotion and affection.  Sleeping with honeysuckle flowers under your pillow will bring dreams of your true love.  This belief came from the character Tatiana in Shakespeare’s Midsummer nights Dream. Tatiana compares her sleep with Bottom to the way a sweet honeysuckle encircles a bark elm: ’Sleep thou and I will wind thee in my arms . . . So doth the woodbine the sweet honeysuckle . . . 

During the Victorian era there were strict social customs dictated that young women were not permitted to bring the flowers into their homes. It was heavily believed that the plants sweet, enticing scent would cause them to have ‘suggestive’ or overly passionate dreams.  
Would you try putting honeysuckle flowers under your pillow? 

Roses - Love

During the Victorian era, the rose was profoundly connected to floriography, the language of flowers. During this era there were strict societal rules discouraged open displays of affection, Victorians used carefully selected rose colors and bouquets  as secret, coded letters to express unspoken romantic and platonic sentiments. 

Sending Roses

Red Roses is the ultimate declaration of passionate love, romance and deep devotion
White Roses symbolized purity, innocence, secrecy and virtue
Pink Roses convey grace admiration and gratitude
Dark Crimson roses are used to express mourning or deep sorrow. 

Victorians created two traditions connected to Floral Traditions

Aussie-Mussies were hand held posies or nose gays, composed of specific roses and herbs to send clandestine messages

Exchanging floral dictionaries and decoding the meanings behind bouquets became a popular, genteel social pastime and parlor game.

Greek mythology, Chloris, the goddess of flowers, found a lifeless nymph and transformed her into a flower so beautiful  the gods made her the ‘Queen of Flowers’. Aphrodite named it the ‘rose’ in honor of her son, Eros. 

I encourage you to use rose spray in your home, the scent of rose is the scent of Love. 

Rock Roses 
According to the Victorians if you sent Rock roses to someone the message symbolized favor and being cherished for who you are. 

Rock roses with their paper thin petals thrive in extreme heat, drought, and poor quality soils. Rock roses represent resilience and adaptability. I love rock roses, they are so pretty and they can be grown anywhere. Several Rock Rose or Wild Rose bushes grew around my home in Colorado. I used to harvest the rose hips, for my family. We ate them, you can use them in tea and cooking. Rose hips are great for your health. 

Bach Flower Remedy

Rock roses relate to the soul qualities of courage and steadfastness. It is one of the most important components of rescue remedy.

Rescue Remedy is a blend of five flowers to help relieve every day stress, tension and calm nerves.

Ingredients to help aleviate 
Rock Roses -  Terror & Panic
Impatiens - irritability & impatience
Clematis - inattentiveness & not being grounded
Star of Bethlehem - to ease trauma or shock
Cherry Plum - to calm the fear of losing control or irrational thoughts. 

I used to use Rescue Remedy and I feel like it helped me during stressful events. 

References for this blog and A Spiritual Show can be found at Amazon 
Floiography Cards written by Rowan Blossom, Illustrated by Alice Tye 
Bach Flower Therapy written by Mechthild Scheffer
Floriography, An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers  written by Jessica Roux 

Have a beautiful week! Stay safe! Keep your heart open and aligned with the energy of LOVE!

Auriel Grace