Valentines Flowers – the Language of Love

Think about having an intimate conversation with a loved one. Would it be possible to have that conversation without speaking or writing? Suppose you found someone you'd like to know better. How could you develop that relationship without speaking or writing? That was the situation in Victorian England for much of the 1800's. Due to the strict social etiquette of the time, extreme discretion was required. Conversations of a romantic nature were strictly off-limits. But emotional expression cannot be denied for long. Symbolism and meaning became attached to everyday objects and gestures, and especially to flowers. The result was "secret" messages hidden in bouquets of flowers. Different meanings were attached to every type and color of flower, how they were presented, and how they were received. Many of the messages were romantic in nature. Some messages were rejections, and even insults. An exchange of flowers became a complete conversation. Small bouquets of mixed flowers, know as tussie-mussies, became quite popular. Together with the secret language of flowers, they allowed intentions to be declared, and refusals and acceptances to be made. They allowed the expression of wishes, thoughts and emotions that people of the time dared not speak aloud. The secret codes eventually became so complex that people needed help understanding them. Code books, dictionaries and even complete books were written to help create and understand the messages. Before the Victorians, other cultures used flowers to express emotions. In ancient times cultures like the Greeks and Persians gave their own meanings to flowers. The Japanese too, created their own flower language. The exact meanings of the flowers and colors change over time to fit the needs of the culture but the use of flowers to express emotions continues to this day. Lengthy and elaborate courtship rituals were used in many cultures. Gifts of flowers were typically an important part of that process. Those practices led directly to the use of flowers in today's society, not just for courtship but for important holidays such as Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Easter among others. These holidays wouldn't be the same without the use of plants and flowers. Like the Victorians, we still use flowers to express our emotions. Unlike them, our messages are typically much simpler. For Valentine's Day this year, instead of sending a simple message, try a bouquet of mixed flowers for a message full of hidden meaning. Search online for "language of flowers" for some great ideas. Be sure to add a note to the bouquet to explain the deeper message. Don't forget to order your Valentine's flowers early to ensure a timely delivery. A leading Valentine florist, A-Bow-K has delivered Valentines flowers to Tampa and the surrounding area for 25 successful years.