Tag Archive | Meaning of Flowers

The Language of Flowers thru the Ages

Jun15

"Language of flowers through the ages"The language of Flowers started in Constantinople in the 1600s, and was brought to England in 1716 by Lady Mary Wortley Montague who had spent time in Turkey with her husband. The interest then moved to France (of course) where the Book Le Langage des Fleurs was printed with over 800 floral signs. Many were toned down in the English translation at the time of Queen Victoria because they were quite lusty and risque!

Flowers are part of our daily life. For virtually every event we have assigned a special flower. Flowers for love, church, church graveyard, marriage, etc. In the 16th century inn’s use to have a branch or flower stalk as signboard which later often changed only into the name of a specific tree or flower.  Many times one finds flower gardens in mythological sceneries.

The use of flowers is uncountable: attributes for the springtime, the youth, the sunrise, the rhetoric, the virtue etc.

Most people are aware that a red rose means love but did you know that almost every flower and sometimes the different colors of a single flower has its own meaning? Why is Stephanotis such a popular flower to use in wedding bouquets? Why put Bells of Ireland or Cattails in a bouquet for someone getting a new house or embarking on a new career?

Check out our Language of Flowers Chart (pdf, no optin) for the many different flowers and their meanings. This includes the more traditional meanings according to the original language of flowers.

Flowers and Their Meaning: The Poppy

May20

"Meaning and History of the Poppy"

Poppy – Meaning: “Wealth and Success”

Botanical Name: Bocconia    Family: Papaveraceae

We are slumberous Poppies,
Lords of Lethe downs,
Some awake and some asleep,
Sleeping in our crowns.
What perchance our dreams may know,
Let our serious beauty show.

There are many kinds of poppy, including California poppies, Iceland poppies, and perennial poppies. Red poppies symbolize fantastic extravagance. On the other hand, yellow poppies stand for wealth and success. White ones can convey forgetfulness and sleep.  Poppy is among the most loved flowers. These plants generally bloom during the spring and early summer.

The field poppy was grown by the ancient Egyptians.

The poppy plant was sacred to Ceres, the Roman goddess of grain. She was often depicted wearing wearing a wreath made of the blooms and carrying corn, which she would offer as a sacrifice to the Gods.  The poppy has been called many names such as Thunder flower. The myth is that when children would pick the flower, the petals would fall and they would then be struck by Thunder.  One of the old country names was Cheesebowl because there is a little round bowl in the bottom of the flower’s head, filled with seeds set in something that resembles cheese. The poppy has also been associated with fertility, and represented the blood of dead warriors. Because of the its strong smell, it has even been called the headache flower.

When you need flowers, remember Eden Florist & Gift Baskets
Note: the header image for this blog is a field of poppies

February’s flower is the Violet

Feb3

Every flower has a history and symbolic meaning.  

 

Meaning: Modesty, faithfulness, virtue

February’s birth flower is the Violet.  It is also known as the African Violet. The flower is a five-petal velvety blossom that comes in shades of pinks, whites and purples. They are available as a houseplant or garden plant all year round.

Baron Walter Von Saint Paul Illaire is credited with discovering the violet plant in Tanzania in 1892.

Violet Facts, Trivia and Folklore:

 

♥ The Greek word for violet is io. Io is a character in Greek mythology and the daughter of King Argos. Zeus loved her. However, Zeus was concerned that Hera (his wife) would discover their affair, so he turned Io into a heifer and then created the sweet-scented flowers that we now know as violets for her to graze upon.

 

 

♥ Violets also have a unique method of reproduction, known as cleistogamy, which means to self-pollinate.    

 

♥ During the Middle Ages, violets were a symbol for humility and modesty not only because of the blooming habits of the flower but also because of their association with the Virgin Mary. 
♥ The god Hades fell in love with the maiden Persephone. One day while Persephone was walking through a field of violets, Hades carried her away to his land of death. The world mourned her death and became barren until Hades relented and agreed that Persephone could walk on the earth from spring through fall. Thus leading to violets symbolizing immortality, resurrection and spring. 

 

 

♥ In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia, upon learning of the death of her father, Polonius, speaks to the queen in the language of the flowers, quite common in the 16th century.  Her allusions are to the tragic event which has taken place and the emotions and attributes symbolized by certain flowers: rosemary for remembrance; pansies for love; fennel for flattery; columbine for ingratitude; rue for repentance; daisies for faithlessness; and violets for constancy or devotion.  In act IV, scene 5, she sings distraughtly while in the company of the queen, “

 

I would give some violets, but they withered all when my father died: they say he made a good end .”

♥ The Greek dramatist, Aristophanes, referred to Athens in one of his plays as the violet-crowned city for King Ion (Ion means Violet).

 

♥ When French composer Frederick Chopin died, one of his music students Jane Sterling bought all the violets she could find in the flower shops of Paris to cover his grave. So beloved is Chopin that, even today visitors daily place flowers (frequently violets) on this grave in Paris.

 

♥ Josephine Bonaparte loved the scent of violets and thus they became her favorite perfume.  Before Napoleon was exiled in Elba, Josephine died and he picked a bouquet of violets for her grave. When Napoleon died, violets and a lock of Josephine’s hair were found in a locket that he wore.

January’s Flower is the Carnation

Jan3

In the Language of Flowers, the carnation changes its meaning according to the color.  For instance: a red carnation means “alas for my poor heart,” a yellow carnation means “disdain,” a pink carnation means “I will never forget you” and a striped carnation means “refusal.” Generally speaking however, the carnation means admiration, love and gratitude.

Well, that being said, if you like carnations for the heartiness, and long-lasting nature, then you will enjoy giving and receiving them too.

The culitvation of carntions can be traced back two thousand years and is believed that the plant came to England with the normas. Carnations have been found growing wild in the walls of castles of Dover and Rochester.

The Athenians honored the carnation and called them Di-anthos (flower of Jove) and they used them in wreaths and garlands wearing them during special ceremonies and festivals.  the word “coronation” is derived from “carnation.”

other Carnation facts:

Carnations are sometimes added to ales and wines to add a touch of spiciness.

Carnations are a popular flower to wear as corsages and boutoniers.

Carnations are still one of the most requested flowers for Mom’s to honor her on Mother’s Day.

According to a Christian legend, carnations first appeared on Earth as Jesus carried the Cross.  The Virgin Mary shed tears at Jesus’ plight, and carnations sprang up from where her tears fell. Thus the pink carnation became the symbol of a mother’s undying love, and in 1907 was chosen by Ann Jarvis as the symbol of Mother’s Day, now observed in the United States and Canada on the second Sunday in May.  (source: Wikipedia)

A red carnation may be worn if one’s mother is alive, and a white one if she has died.

Nadashiko is the Japenese word for carnation

Carnations are the official flower of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, as they are the longest lasting flowers.

White Carnations are the offical flower of the fraternity Delta Sigma Phi.

The Carnation is the National flower of Spain and the scarlet carnation is the state flower of Ohio.

One fo my favorite poems written by Henry King could very well have been written about the Carnation:

A CONTEMPLATION UPON FLOWERS

Brave flowers, that I could gallant it like you,
And be as little vain;
You come abroad and make a harmless show,
And to yoru bed of earth again;
You are not proud, you know your birth,
For your embroidered garments are from earth.

You do obey your months and times, but I
Would have it ever spring;
My fate would know no winter, never die,
Nor think of such a thing;
Oh that I could  my bed of earth but view,
And smile and look as cheerfully as you.

Meaning of Flowers ~ Aster

Oct11


"History and Meaning of Asters"Aster (Callistephus) ~ Symbol of Love, Daintiness ~ In 1637, John Tradescant the Younger, brought Asters back from Virginia to North America. They did not seem to be noticed until hybridized with European “starworts.”They were later renamed Michaelmas daisies because their flowering coincided with the feast of Saint Michael. They bloom in autumn as a “curtain” call to summer and a reminder of a new beginning after winter’s sleep.

 

 

 

Order Asters and other flowers at Eden Florist.

Meaning of Flowers – Primrose

Aug9

Primrose ~ “I can’t live without you!”

Botanical Name: Primula ~ The Primulaceae Family

 

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The Primrose, better known as the “first rose” of the year or the first spring flower, stood for first love, growing suddenly in unexpected places. In parts of Western England, the Primrose is called the Butter Rose for its color is like that of the farmhouse butter.

Primroses were very fashionable in Victorian times. They are believed to have come from

China, and the Alps.

When you need special flowers for someone special, be sure to call EDEN FLORIST at 954-981-5515