While flowers are beautiful just as themselves, they actually have a long history of being used in messages sent where words were either forbidden or impossible. Where lovers or friends wished to send secret messages to each other, they could send a single blossom or a full collection of blooms to convey feelings. And not always nice ones!
We tend to associate flowers with feelings of liking or affection, but did you know that once upon a time you could send someone a bouquet that said you had nothing but disdain for them, or that you suspected them of capriciousness? Add in one other flower and you could accuse them of frigidity and heartlessness! While one flower meant the love of a woman or mother, another meant the passion of a lover - not to be confused with each other!
Today we tend to select flowers based on their coloring or style or even just availability. But the history of the flowers have created trends that stay even today. White Calla Lilies have been a popular choice for wedding bouquets for years because they are so simple and classically elegant, but they also once symbolized magnificence, beauty, purity and innocence.
And though chrysanthemums are more simple, a bouquet of red and white chrysanthemums says love, truth and loyalty and make them a fantastic choice for a Valentine's Day bouquet on a budget, even though the historical meaning of the blossoms is no longer well known.
Want to send an empowering arrangement to a friend? Send a mixture of white and heather lavender. The lavender shows admiration, solitude and beauty and the white stands for protection and indicates that wishes will come true. Plus they are such a beautiful and simple flower, they make for a sweet touch to any room on any day.
Going to visit someone in their new home or looking for an extra add on to a wedding gift? Bring them potted or cut Anthuriums. They symbolize hospitality and are also used to indicate happiness and abundance, a nice wish for anyone starting a new life. For an even extra special touch, ask your florist to add a little note with your wishes for them.
While thankfully now we can just enjoy the beauty and color and style of flowers, no matter what their message used to be, and we can create the perfect arrangement for the people we love! But it is still fun to know the original meaning these blooms have!
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Bridget is the proud Owner of Flower Design by Bridget, bringing European Certification and 20 years experience to Pinellas County, Florida, where she lives with her husband (Air Force, Ret.) and two children. When she is not in her shop, you will find her enjoying a cup of Roiboos tea with her family and several cats and dogs (including one named Daisy). While the holiday greens and decorations of December are her favorite, she looks forward to bringing you sunshine and smiles through flowers all year round!
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