Whether it’s known or not flowers actually have their own language called Floriography and it has made its evolution throughout time. The unspoken language of flowers actually developed in the Victorian-era, so things that could not be said aloud could be coded in bouquets of flowers. Now most of these sayings have been forgotten but there is still over 100 meanings still known although different regions may have conflicting interpretations. The fact still remains that following the language of flowers, when sending them as a gift can be quite important.
Finding true Floriography can be a difficult task, but there are many sources to find flowers of certain meanings. A professional florist can sometimes tell you best what a specific flower means. This is very important when trying to profess a specific message. Flowers can easily be misconstrued when given as a gift but knowing the language of flowers can help to avoid a misconception. Usually when sending flowers as a gift the option of attaching a small message is available. Almost all florist have this option and some even will read it aloud or sing a message to the receiver as if singing a tune.
Some of the most well known even to date is the meanings that roses express. The red rose meaning passionate, romantic love in general form. The meaning of a pink rose is as well still well expressed to date as a symbol of a lesser form of love, seemingly more like that of affection. White roses still being recognized strongly as the symbol of purity, chastity and virtue. Yellow roses holding true to the meaning of friendship or a life long devotion. The meanings of roses are amongst the most well preserved in the language Floriography but there are many other flowers in the unspoken language with each having their own meanings and color can be a factor in the meaning as well.
The best example of color affecting meaning in the language of flowers is seen in the floral species of the rose but the rose is commonly known. The carnation is next in line when it comes to diversity of meaning in Floriography based on color. The general meaning of carnations is either love, fascination or distinction, but the specific colors change the over all tone. Red flowers in the language of Floriography almost always means love or deep love and a red carnation is no different in this aspect. An interesting fact about the green carnation is that it was a secret symbol of those who followed Oscar Wilde at the end of the 1800?s. The white carnation is about the same as a whit rose but it could as well mean sweet and lovely. The pink carnation actually expresses a woman’s love, a mother’s love, “I’ll never forget you,” or “Always on my mind”. Carnations also have negative meanings too, which when you don’t know the language of flowers is quite surprising. The striped carnation actually expresses “I’m sorry, I can’t be with you” or in other terms no or it can be a sign of out right refusal. When used in communication in response to a receipt of flowers send a solid colored carnations is affirming as to say “yes”. The yellow carnation can be a sign of rejection or it can literally mean “you have disappointed me”.
Floriography is an interesting language to know, its unlikely receiving a gift of a yellow carnation after an argument will be meant to express something in the unspoken language, it would probably be something more close to coincidence but it could be.
