During the nineteenth century, the Victorian Era was noted as a prim and proper time that emphasized a formal type of courtly love and romantic sentiments in a society governed by strict rules of conduct. Expressing emotions verbally was frowned upon and not readily tolerated. Feelings like affection were suppressed in polite society leaving young courting couples to look for subtle and secretive ways to communicate their feelings to one another.

Using sentimental symbols like flowers became very popular during this period to overcome society’s stifling restrictions on verbal communication about courtship. Secret messages would be passed between young lovers creatively using a subtle meaning connected to different blooms to communicate their feelings of love, fondness, and even rejection of those feelings without running amuck of the societal rules of conduct based on what blooms and colors were included in a gifted bouquet. Using this language of flowers became so prevalent that books describing the meaning attributed to different flowers and colors were even published to guide young lovers in their covert communication!

Modern brides may find a romantic application of these traditional methods of clandestine communication as they learn the meanings attributed to each bloom and color and then use them in their wedding bouquets. It can also be a whimsical and symbolic way for any couple to add deeper meaning by selecting and continuing to use specific flowers as they progress through life together using their own ‘secret language of love’ with each other.

“ It can also be a whimsical and symbolic way for any couple to add deeper meaning... ”

Here’s a list of flowers with their meanings:

• Alstromeria: Prosperity and wealth
• Amaryllis: Pride
• Anemone: Forsaken
• Anturium: Lover
• Baby’s Breath: Pure of heart
• Bells of Ireland: Good luck
• Bouvardia: Enthusiasm
• Calla Lily: Magnificence, Beauty
• Camellia: Gratitude
• Carnations (General): Fascination
• Pink Carnations: I’ll never forget you, feminine love
• Red Carnations: Admiration
• White Carnations: Ardent love, good luck
• Chrysanthemums: Cheerfulness
• Daffodil: Regard
• Fern: Sincerity
• Freesia: Thoughtfulness
• Gardenia: You’re lovely
• Gladioli: Strength of character
• Honeysuckle: Bonds of love
• Hyacinth: Constancy of love
• Hydrangea: Thank you for understanding
• Iris: Wisdom
• Ivy: Fidelity, marriage, friendship and affection
• White Jasmine: Amiability
• Jonquil: Sympathy
• Larkspur: Fickleness
• Lavender: Devotion
• Lilac: Humility
• Lily: Majesty
• White Lily: Purity and modesty
• Yellow Lilies: Walking on air
• Lily of the Valley: Return of happiness
• Magnolia: Dignity and love of nature
• Narcissus: Egotism
• Orange Blossom: Purity
• Orchid: Rare beauty and love
• Peonie Rose: Shyness
• Poppy: Eternal sleep
• Queen Anne’s Lace: Haven
• Ranunculus: Radiant with charm
• Rose: Love
• Red Rose: Love, passion, courage, respect
• White Rose: Innocence, secrecy, purity
• Yellow Rose: Joy, Friendship
• Light Pink Rose: Grace, Gladness
• Dark Pink Rose: Gratitude, thankfulness
• Red and White Rose: Unity
• Orange Rose: Fascination
• Peach Rose: Desire
• Rosebud: Purity, beauty
• Rosemary: Remembrance
• Statice: Sympathy
• Stephanotis: Happiness in marriage
• Stock: Lasting beauty
• Sunflower: Adoration
• Sweet Pea: Lasting pleasure
• Sweet William: Gallantry
• Tuberose: Dangerous pleasure
• Tulip, General: Perfect love
• Tulip Red: Believe me
• Tulip Variegated: Beautiful eyes
• Tulip Yellow: Hopeless love
• Violet: Modesty
• Water Lily: Purity of heart
• Wheat: Earnestness
• Zinnia: Thoughts of absent friends