Floriography: Reveal the Secrets of Victorian Flower Language

Victorians Spoke a Language Through Flowers

A bouquet of flowers has been a thoughtful gift to give for centuries, but during the Victorian times, it signified much more. The combination of blooms often sent a specific message, which recipients eagerly deciphered for hidden meanings.

Jessica Roux is the author and illustrator of Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers, which delves into the stories behind floral code. “While it was easy to find historic lists of flowers and their meanings, I found myself wondering why some of these flowers had specific meanings,” she says.

To find out, Jessica hit the books. “I first looked at books written about floriography from the Victorian era, such as Kate Greenaway’s 1884 Language of Flowers and Charlotte de la Tour’s 1819 Le Langage des Fleurs,” Jessica says. “From there, I dove into mythology, history and folklore that featured flowers.”

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Uncovering Flower Meanings From the Past

Jessica’s research turned up fascinating tales from a bygone era. “Orange blossoms are one of my favorites—the ultimate Victorian flower of love, particularly for weddings. The sweet-smelling blooms became all the rage thanks to Queen Victoria,” she says. After receiving an orange blossom brooch from Albert, Victoria wore them on her wedding dress and headdress.

The royal couple likely knew that in ancient Greece, Gaea was said to have given these flowers to Hera upon her marriage to Zeus.

Jessica also loves the story of the cornflower, which means “hope in love” in the language of flowers. “The bloom is also called bachelor’s button,” she says. “Folklore states that a young man is to wear the flower in his buttonhole when he falls in love. If the flower dies quickly, it means his adoration is unrequited. If the flower lasts, there is hope his love will be returned.”

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Sending Secret Messages

Men and women both sent coded bouquets, with tidings of love and friendship—or more sinister implications. Hellebore means “We shall overcome scandal and slander. Lavender stands for distrust. Some say the asp that killed Cleopatra was hidden in a bundle of lavender.

Using Floriography Today

In addition to intriguing stories like these, Jessica’s book features charming illustrations inspired by those of Beatrix Potter, Mary Delany and Maria Sibylla Merian. She’s an avid gardener herself and loves to include flowers with special meanings when she gives bouquets to friends.

“One I always include is the zinnia,” she says. “They mean everlasting friendship, which makes it a really wonderful gift.”

Try sending a message of your own with some of her bouquet ideas shown here, and learn more in her book.

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A Bouquet for Friendship

Combine zinnia blooms for everlasting friendship, apple blossom for preference, pansy for a friend you think of often and eucalyptus to protect and strengthen the bond of friendship.

A Bouquet for New Beginnings

Add crocus for youthful glee, daisy for innocence and childhood purity, lilac for first love, baby’s breath for purity and innocence, wheat for riches.

A Bouquet for Marriage

Choose red roses for true love, ivy for fidelity, myrtle for hope and love in marriage, and dahlia for commitment and eternal love.

More Victorian Flower Meanings

• Clematis Representing cleverness and ingenuity, clematis reflects its ability to cling and climb.
• Buttercup The meaning, “You are radiant with charm,” may come from a tradition of holding a buttercup under one’s chin to see the yellow glow.
• Carnation A legend of carnations blooming from where the Virgin Mary’s tears fell led to this plant’s association with heartache and a mother’s eternal love.
• Lady’s Slipper Since it is difficult to cultivate, lady’s slipper represents capriciousness.
• Chamomile Energy in adversity, which is chamomile’s meaning, may come from its many healing properties.
• Cattail A symbol of peace and prosperity, cattail’s meaning may have come from its many traditional uses.

Find these meanings and illustrations, plus many more in Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers by Jessica Roux