The Language of Flowers

The Language of Flowers

Although it may sound like an invention or poetry, the language of flowers really does exist, or at least it did. This was in England during the Victorian era, back in the 18th and 19th centuries, when certain flowers or arrangements were used to encode secret messages of love.

What flowers were used to convey secret messages?

It was believed that red roses signified passion, and as the roses’ shade lessened, so did the intensity of the feeling. Therefore, yellow roses were interpreted as friendship, while white roses were appropriate for telling someone you were a virgin.

However, the message could also vary depending on who was sending or receiving it. For example, if it was between teenagers, sending yellow roses meant friendship, as mentioned, but if it was between adults, it could mean jealousy.   

Similarly, varieties of colors emerged that expanded the capacity of language in these messages. For instance, a blue rose came to be translated as frankness or the impossibility of an event, while a violet rose was interpreted as love at first sight.

Nevertheless, the construction of this floral language was not exclusively with roses; many flowers had a specific meaning. For example, a sunflower indicated respect, while a bouquet of ivy promised fidelity.

Likewise, this language of flowers could be achieved by combining different types and colors of flowers. This allowed more complex and extensive messages to be created through floral arrangements with red and white flowers whose purpose was to convey a message of unity.

It is worth noting that this message of unity contained in the combination of white and red flowers is still used today, as this type of arrangement is often given at funerals as a sign of mourning.

How is the language of flowers used today?

Nowadays, although there isn't a rigorous and universal floristic coding as there was back then, it is almost normal for the delivery or sending of floral arrangements or flowers of a certain color to convey a clear message.

Although part of the universalization of this floral language was lost due to the expansion of the world, culture, and floral varieties, some societies currently maintain the meaning for certain flowers of a specific color.

Thus, in this part of the world, roses or lilies are often given interchangeably when one wants to express love, and depending on the color, this love can be tender (for which lilies must be white) or wildly passionate (for which they must be red or orange).

It is also customary to give flowers or arrangements of yellow jasmine when the idea is for the person to understand that it is an elegant, delicate love, but when used in combination (white and yellow), this expresses a determined love, willing to overcome any obstacle.

Even carnations have their special symbolism according to their color today, because although red ones can imply that the person is madly in love with the recipient, changing to white jasmine would already be talking about sincere and selfless friendship.

On the other hand, if tulips make up the floral arrangement, there is almost certainty that it is a declaration of love, regardless of the color. However, black tulips are recently being used to indicate an unhappy love, although it could also be interpreted as a crazy and versatile love.

In short, there are many flowers of various colors that will allow you to craft that message for the person you want to persuade, support, or fall in love with.

What happens if the message is misinterpreted?

There are diverse interpretations that some flowers can currently achieve to form their language, which could lead to confusion and misunderstandings. For example, imagine sending flowers to a widow at her husband's funeral and it being interpreted not as mourning but as passionate love ready for anything.

Therefore, to ensure your message is not misunderstood and you receive an appropriate response, it is very advisable that if you are going to give flowers, you entrust that floral arrangement to a florist with experienced employees willing to advise you.

So if you have a message to convey to that special person, the best way to do it is in the language of flowers, and we are sure that in this florist you can find the flowers that will allow you to express what you desire so much.

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