The ancient language of flowers

February 14, 2011

For thousands of years, humans have recognized the importance of flowers. Nowadays, many blossoms have special and unique meanings. On the heels of Valentine's Day, many may be interested in learning the art of floriography, which studies the language of these buds, according to The Virginian-Pilot.

Roses and red carnations, as well as tulips, are known to mean love, but what about daises? The news source reports that they symbolize affection, patience and innocence. Lilies embody similar virtues, while violets represent modesty, simplicity and faithfulness.

Orchids can sometimes represent the opposite, as they can evoke feelings of lust, nobility and luxury. For a creative and complex batch of flowers, one may want to combine these two kinds of buds.

White chrysanthemums are said mean truth. They could be a great touch to a meaningful flower gift basket for trustworthy partners and friends. The iris, which is considered to be a manifestation of a promise, could be another vibrant addition to this bouquet.

Daffodils represent respect, which may make them ideal for a bosses day gift. Hyacinth could be perfect for a teammate or fellow employee, as they symbolize play, sports and kindness.

Expert Melissa Burdeck told the news provider that lotus blossoms have one of the oldest known meanings of a flower. They have long been a representation of creating order from chaos and are still honored in many parts of the world as a very important bud - Vietnam recently made the lotus blossom the national flower, according to Vietnam.com.

Burdeck also explained to The Virginian-Pilot that flowers have also been used in literature for hundreds of years. Perhaps one of the most famous instances is in Hamlet, when Ophelia spoke of rosemary, herbs, columbine and rue, while also foreshadowing her own death by mentioning withered violets.

However, floriography so rapidly flourished at some points in history that it became confusing, as there were more than 400 different dictionaries published that shed light on the meanings of flowers and, presumably, not all of them agreed on the details.

Those who have already received Valentine's Day flowers from a loved one may also want to spend some time considering the blossoms' color, especially if they are roses. While red means love, white can mean innocence and beauty, offering a lighter touch of passion. Orange can symbolize enthusiasm and excitement, while yellow is a traditional hue for friendship, according to ABC news affiliate KVUE.

This article is brought to you by Teleflora - a leader in the flower delivery service for over 75 years. Teleflora helps its customers buy flowers online and specializes in bringing the freshest available flowers for a variety of holidays and occasions - all hand-delivered in keepsake vases by the best local florists.

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