I recently researched flowers because the hero in my WIP wanted to give them to the heroine…but, they had to be the right flower, and the right color. I love when things are symbolic and mean more than what we see on the surface.
Flowers can express many sentiments, such as love, thoughtfulness, and support. Although giving flowers as gifts dates back many centuries, the Victorians are credited with creating a language out of flowers. Shakespeare used flowers in many of his writings: Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to name a few.
I learned a new word: Floriography- the language of flowers. If you want to convey a message with flowers, it’s important to know what you want to say and what flower, color, and number can help you say it. Who knew it was so involved?
The number of flowers presented can say a lot. One flower is representative of love at first sight. Thirteen flowers scream secret admirer. And, two dozen is one for every hour that the giver thinks about the recipient.
Colors are symbolic for many things but for flowers, in particular, the color is especially meaningful. Most people know that red is for love. But did you know that pink means happiness and yellow is for friendship? White represents purity and blue conveys security. (Blue is the color I used in my WIP.)
The types of flowers are also significant. Roses and carnations meanings differ depending on the color. Lilies are a symbol of virtue and orchids convey beauty. Tulips also have meanings based on color but a mix is symbolic of imagination. Can you think of a better one for a writer?
Tulips are my favorite because I honeymooned in the Netherlands in the spring, many years ago. We biked through the countryside and saw fields of colorful tulips. Unfortunately, in the Deep South, the season for the delicate tulip to thrive is quite short because we bring the heat down here.
What is your favorite Spring Flower? Or anytime flower? Special meanings? Special memories?
Peonies. Not because they are in my yard or close by. I grew up with these in our yard in West Virginia, and my mother loved them. I wish I would have enjoyed them then as I can’t enjoy them now.
Peonies are so pretty. One that I grew up with and my mama and them love is the Camellia. Thanks for sharing.
I love Gerbera daisies, have ever since I used them for my wedding bouquet. My mother loved all kinds of flowers, but she really liked irises and carnations best.
Hi Kerry- I used to work for a florist and I think Gerbers were the best selling flower, after roses. Their colors are so vibrant. They make me smile. Thanks for sharing.
I have a very special memory of a unique flower my Father grew. He gave my Mother a single American Beauty red rose which she rooted by placing it in sand under a quart fruit jar on the South side of our home. My Father began to use ashes from the fire place to fertilize the rose Bush. The roses turned a deep crimson red,so red in fact,they appeared to be black with a tinge of red. Father requested no flowers for his home going celebration.A large black rose,a smaller one,a white bud and 12 black buds made up a bouquet placed in his coffin.
There were 13 children,the oldest died in infancy,Mother was represented by the small rose,Father,the large rose,the 12 black buds were the living children
Wow! That is really neat symbolism. That is a neat story about rooting the rose and fertilizing it too. I envy people who can grow beautiful roses. I bet that American Beauty was something to see. Thanks for sharing.