VICTORIAN FLOWER LANGUAGE AND USE IN HERBOLOGY

Chapter 99

In this chapter we will be looking at the messages flowers send, and how these messages become meaningful. Flower language, often called Victorian Flower Language due to its popularity during Victorian times, is not a reference to the language flowers use when speaking to each other (which is called florlinguem). Flower language is rather connected to the unspoken language of plants. (Plant language would be a more accurate description, but flowers are usually the focus). It is begotten of what is in the essence of a plant, and what its meaning is. It is connected with the power of language, and how the naming of something leads to its creation, and so the name is not only what it is, but it is what makes it what it is. To try and make this simpler, we will talk about it in terms of light. When you say “lumos” you are quite literally naming the source of brightness “light,” and at the same time, creating it through the use of your magic. In this way, the naming of something (in this case, light) is irrevocably linked to its existence and creation. To bring it back to Herbology, an example of what flower language is would be with an Evergreen. Within its existence is its meaning: ‘solace in adversity.’ The Evergreen is green even when all else has faded away. We will begin by exploring the many different ways flower language may be used. There are three main ways Herbologists and those with knowledge of Herbology may use flower language. The first way is within writing. Flower language may add deeper meaning to names, household décor and gardens, chapter titles, or really anywhere a flower may be used in writing. The second way is in gifting. By giving certain flowers you can let a person know how you feel about them, such as the gifting of a yellow rose to a friend. Finally, the language of flowers may be used to change the feeling/emotional state of a room or person. Oleander will make a person cautious, whereas a Snowdrop will make someone feel hopeful. This lesson will detail the power the presence of a flower has on a room. In Writing The use of flower language in writing is often subtle. It adds meaning for those who understand flower language, but it takes nothing away from those who do not. For example, one does not need to know that Heather means admiration and solitude to enjoy The Lost Witch of Arbor Creek, but when the reader is aware that Heather’s solitude and admiration of the land are so deeply a part of who she is, knowing that her name means exactly that adds to the story. Novels involving gardens and plants have ample room for flower language, and it almost seems a shame when the deeper realm of symbolism is not realized by such a writer. The inclusion of a carnation in a story can be liked so easily with a fascination with someone or something, and taking advantage of the words given to us and making full use of them is a responsibility given to writers. It is actually rather painful to read a page and a half describing a woman cutting garlic, knowing that the symbolism of strength and courage is lost on its author. The intention shown by putting flower language into work highlights the effort and depth done in at least the editing, to ensure choices were well made. For the record, the woman should have been peeling oranges. She was not, at the point, exerting strength, but merely captivating by her sweetness. A couple popular examples of flower language exists, read by muggles and the wizarding world alike. Frances Hodgson Burnett, a witch who transferred to the United States for her final years of schooling, often uses flower language in her writing. My favourite of hers is A Little Princess; however, it is The Secret Garden which has the strongest use of flower language. The popular playwright, William Shakespeare, also makes use of flower language. Many of his works utilize the symbolism of flowers, although I would only like to mention two occasions. Flower language is done quite overtly in Hamlet, where Ophelia discusses flowers and their meanings, but also in A Winter’s Tale, when Perdita (Hermione’s daughter) wants to make flower garlands. I do quite love A Winter’s Tale, and so perhaps we shall discuss the meaning of violets, primroses, and daffodils. Violets give a message of faithfulness, surely something you would want to give to your friends. A primrose gives the message ‘I cannot live without you.’ (Very powerful, yes?). And quite elegantly, the daffodil means ‘the sun always shines while I am with you.’ Personally, I would be quite touched if a friend made me a garland with daffodils, primroses, and violets. But while we are on the topic of daffodils, I must bring up a certain poem by William Wordsworth! Sometimes published as I Wandered Lonely as A Cloud and other times simply as Daffodils, within it Wordsworth captures the true joy of nature. Being in the fields, connected to the innocence of a flower growing without the stain human brokenness, is where we might still catch a glimpse of purity and happiness. It is not a long poem, not long at all. I recommend reading it if you haven’t already. When Gifting Giving flowers and other plants as gifts can be used to send messages to the recipient. As previously mentioned, the giving of a yellow rose is a sign of friendship. (With roses, colour changes the meaning of the flower). A dark pink rose is an excellent choice of flower to present to someone, for it means ‘thank you for being a part of my life!’ As a side note, you will not be tested on the meanings of different colours of plants on a third year exam. Noting of such is purely extracurricular. The delivering of a flower can also have negative connotations. Hortensia means ‘you’re cold’ and Ficoides means ‘your looks freeze me.’ Worst yet, Tansy means ‘I declare that I am against you.’ For another example, if you were to give someone asphodel and wormwood (helpful in making a certain powerful sleeping potion, as you may recall), you would want to know that giving asphodel (a member of the lily family) means ‘my regrets will follow to the grave’ and wormwood is symbolic of sorrow and absence. In this way the giving of flowers may be used to send messages. Snapdragons give a message that deception is present… so be careful who you give one of those to! It may lead to some doubts in a relationship. Home Life Flowers language, because it is so deeply linked to the essence and creation of a plant, can its meaning affect the environment it is in. A branch of thorns may make the room on of suffering an anger, while the presence of Mint will make the atmosphere feel pure and virtuous. I like to keep Dittany in my living room, as guests tend to feel very refreshed and I too am rejuvenated in its presence. As you will recall in growing dandelions, the room you kept them in may have felt happier. Less arguments will occur in a room surrounded by olives, (or hazel), for it emanates peace. A Mini-Dictionary Fifty plants you should know in flower language: 1. Asphodel – my regrets will follow to the grave 2. Balm – sympathy 3. Bouncing Bulb – fluidity, dancing, movement 4. Broom – neatness, tidiness 5. Cardinal – energy 6. Compass – faith 7. Daffodils – the sun always shines while I am with you 8. Dandelion – faithfulness, happiness 9. Dill – lust 10. Diosma – your simple elegance charms me 11. Dittany – life, passion 12. Eglantine – I wound to heal 13. Enchanter's Nightshade – witchcraft and wizardry 14. Evergreen – solace in adversity 15. Ficoides – your looks freeze me 16. Garlic – strength, courage 17. Gillyweed – refreshment, relaxation 18. Hazel – peace 19. Heather – admiration, solitude 20. Hemlock – you will be my death 21. Hortensia – you are cold 22. Iris – I have a message for you 23. Judas Tree – betrayal, unbelieving 24. Knotgrass – welcome, joining together 25. Lady-Slipper – thoughtfulness, beauty 26. Lavender – devotion, love 27. Lemon balm – fidelity, honesty 28. Lotus – loss 29. Mandrake – sorrow 30. Mint – virtuous 31. Nightshade – silence, truth 32. Oleander – cautious 33. Olives (especially on a branch) – peace 34. Orange – sweetness 35. Pansy – I am thinking about you always 36. Petunia – soothing 37. Primrose – I cannot live without you 38. Queen’s mourning (or Morning Bride) – I have lost all 39. Rosemary – memory/remembrance 40. Saffron – my happiest days are in the past 41. Snapdragon – deception 42. Snowdrop – hopeful 43. Strawberries – perfection, goodness 44. Sunflower – pride, arrogance 45. Tansy – I declare that I am against you, resistance 46. Tussilage – Justice will be done to you 47. Valerian – charity, accommodating 48. Violets – faithfulness 49. Wormwood – sorrow, absence 50. Yarrow – war, I declare war Some final notes about the uses of flower language… The use of flower language is not limited to what was discussed in today’s lesson. One will also find flower language in art, and even within cultural and spiritual traditions. Anglican churches often sport a lily crucifix (which is considered a work of art). In Catholic theology, flowers are commonly found in association with Mary, the mother of God. White lilies are said to appear during her visitations (as a symbol of her purity and virginity), and roses are connected to her prophetic powers. Other interesting plant associations with Mary include strawberries (fruitful virgin, because it is a flower and fruit at once), lady-slipper or Cypripedium reginae (Mary’s visitation to her cousin Elizabeth), Pansy (trinity as first revealed to Mary), and Mary’s Tears or Lily of the Valley (this plant will be covered in the future). That last part was mean, I know. Cliff hangers are a part of life though! And some knowledge is worth the wait.