Floriography, commonly known as the “language of flowers”, is the practice of assigning symbolic meanings to plants and blossoms. It is a system that allows emotions, intentions or messages to be communicated through floral selection and arrangement. The idea is ancient, but the codified floral dictionaries familiar today were largely products of the 19th century.
The origins of floriography can be traced to classical antiquity. In ancient Greece and Rome, specific flowers carried mythological or moral associations. The laurel signified victory through its link with Apollo, and the rose often symbolised secrecy, with “sub rosa” marking confidential conversations. In Asia, flowers also held clear symbolic weight. The lotus in both India and China conveyed ideas of purity, spiritual awakening and the cyclical nature of life; the chrysanthemum in China suggested longevity and nobility, while in Japan it became associated with the Imperial family. These early meanings were regionally consistent but not yet systematised into a standalone language.
The concept that eventually developed into modern floriography took shape in the Ottoman Empire. European travellers of the 17th and 18th centuries reported a Turkish custom known as selam, in which small tokens – including flowers – were used to convey short coded messages. Although historians debate how elaborate the original practice truly was, these travel accounts inspired European writers to imagine an exotic floral code. By the early 1800s, this fascination blended with Romantic-era sensibilities to create a popular Victorian pastime.
Victorian floriography reached its peak in Britain and France between the 1820s and the 1880s. Numerous “flower dictionaries” were published, each assigning meanings to hundreds of blooms. Some of these meanings aligned with longstanding cultural symbolism, e.g. violets for modesty, lilies for purity – while others were invented or embellished by the authors. The appeal lay in the idea that flowers offered a discreet way to express feelings that might otherwise go unspoken in a socially constricted era. Suitors could express affection or disappointment, and friends could extend sympathy or gratitude, all through carefully chosen bouquets. Armed with floral dictionaries, Victorians often exchanged small "talking bouquets" or "word poesy” called nosegays or tussie-mussies [Ed: Wins the funny phrase award for this chapter], which could be worn or carried as a fashion accessory. Even the way a bouquet was held or presented could modify its message. Because no single dictionary became authoritative, meanings were not entirely stable, and confusion was common. So, as secret codes go, not a great one.
Despite the decline of formal flower dictionaries after the nineteenth century, floriography persists in modern culture. Florists still rely on traditional associations when advising customers, e.g. the common practice of gifting red roses on Valentine's Day to represent love and romance – and flowers remain embedded in rituals such as weddings, funerals and national holidays.
Postscript
For a modern take on floriography, check out the work of Anastasia Butrym, the creative force behind FlowerAIpeople, an emerging fusion of digital photography, videography and artificial intelligence. Her project, "Dancing Flowers", offers a mesmerising perspective on Australian flora, bringing its beauty to people all over the world through movement, technology and storytelling. Watch flower AI videos on Ana's Instagram HERE.
Story Idea: Susan McHattie
_____________________
References
wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_of_flowers
thursd.com/articles/floriography-the-language-of-flowers
floweraipeople.com
thursd.com/articles/ana-butryms-ai-floral-work
artpoint.fr/artists/ana-butrym
instagram.com/floweraipeople
Images
1 & 2. Flora Symbolica, John H. Ingram, 1869
3. Poem is from Charlotte de laTour’s Langage des Fleur, 1819
4. Red roses for love
5. White lotus. Credit: floraly.com
6. The language and symbolism of different flowers. Credit: @london_blooms
7. Book: Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers by Jessica Roux, 15 September 2020
8. A bouquet for bitter ends: petunias, datura, tansy, thistle, wormwood
9. Anastasia Butrym via LinkedIn
10. Flower AI. Credit: FlowerAIpeople.com
