COMMENT: Spring is upon us which means two things for people enjoying the great outdoors – divebombing maternal magpies and horrible hayfever (or continuation of it!). But while some sniffle through the next few months, many others are celebrating one of the pollen-carrying root causes of this antihistamine-induced misery – flowers – or should that be floriography?
According to our research, floriography, loosely translated means the “language of flowers”.
While not officially listed in dictionaries, the term refers to flowers and their colours when used to convey hidden meanings and sentiments, particularly during the Victorian era.
For example, some blooms may demonstrate feelings of love, others loyalty, or even sorrow.
This “secret language” gives each bloom a symbolic meaning, such as a red rose symbolising passion, a daisy representing innocence, or a forget-me-not signifying true love and memories.
The colour display was alive and well this month at the St Andrew’s Presbyterian Spring Flower Show in Gunnedah. Flowers of every variety and meaning, were on show.
Red roses are often symbolic of romance and passion, hence their ties to occasions like Valentine’s Day. Other colours such as white are more reflective and can evoke feelings of sympathy, especially when used during funerals or memorial occasions.
For this year’s St Andrew’s Presbyterian Spring Flower Show winner, Julia Withers, the colour yellow was uniquely personal and a symbolic reminder of her late husband.
Our research tells that even the number of flowers can signify special meaning. For example, 16 flowers say “I wish you happiness” and 19 flowers “be together all your life”.
So you could argue floriography is entirely open to interpretation – who’s to say one person’s pink carnation – usually reserved for love and luck – can’t be something else. After all, apparently yellow carnations symbolised rejection and disappointment in the Victorian age! At least the flower buyer is in the same section for whatever the outcome eventuates – love or disappointment!
So next time you’re shopping for the next bouquet, don’t worry about its hue – just take joy in its natural beauty, reassured that floriography can be interpreted whatever way you wish.
