Language of Flowers
A Message from your Florist: The Vocabulary of a Victorian Bouquet … using the Language of Flowers to convey meaning.
Victorian language of flowers
The Victorian language of flowers is fascinating for anyone. In the late 1800’s, people would sometimes make a little flower bouquet to convey a meaning to a friend or other person. These bouquets were called “tussie mussies.”
A modern florist can create a tussie mussie by making a small bouquet and wrapping a paper doily around the stems. This base is then tied with satin ribbons, which are allowed to flow freely.
If you choose to make your own, you still might need to visit a florist for some of the ‘ingredients’ for your message. Florists are often able to acquire flowers that would otherwise be out of season.
If you wanted to include a tulip in your bouquet, but it was in the fall, you would probably not find one blooming in the yard. Flower shops, owned by a professional florist, would be a good place to look.
Symbolic meaning of flowers
By the way, the meaning of the tulip is “fame.” Including one would be a nice wish for a young person who hoped to gain fame someday as a professional athlete or musician. A florist could provide a flower bouquet filled with tulips, or perhaps the potted and forced bulbs would be available to give as a gift.
Another lovely spring bloom that you might want to use with a tulip is a daffodil, which means that you have regard for the person. If you live in an area that refers to a daffodil as narcissus, however, it simply must carry the meaning of selfishness.
An iris simply means that you’re trying to convey a message. See a florist for these blooms if you don’t have a garden.
The rose carries a different meaning for each color, but a general meaning for all roses is that of simplicity. Red long stemmed roses are often seen as meaning love, while white ones speak of purity and innocence.
Yellow roses are beautiful, but traditionally refer to platonic love, or simple friendship. Your florist can tell you in more detail what each different variety specifically means.
Different types of greenery are used by a florist to dress up a bouquet. In a tussie mussie, the leaves carry a message, too. For instance, basil caries the meaning of hatred (Can you imagine making up an arrangement telling someone you hate them?). On the other hand, ivy means fidelity. Oak leaves refer to hospitality.
Many of the blossoms used in a Victorian bouquet are ones that are fairly easy to grow in the home garden. The garden zinnia indicates thoughts of absent friends. The geranium, available potted from the florist or a nursery, evokes days gone and pleasant memories.
Petunias, bought from the florist in the spring as bedding plants, speak of comfort in the company of a friend. Daisies speak of innocence.
And if your message is positive, share it with the one receiving the flowers. If not, just snicker to yourself and appreciate the florist’s beautiful arrangement.