floriography

Floriography, or the language of flowers, is the practice of assigning symbolic meanings to flowers and their arrangements. Although humans have long attributed significance to plants, floriography as a coded system gained prominence in Europe and North America during the 18th to 19th centuries, reaching a peak in the Victorian era as a discreet means of expressing sentiment within strict social etiquette.

In floriography, a flower’s message can depend on species, color, and context. Common associations include roses as expressions of love (red for passionate love, white for purity or new beginnings, pink for gratitude). Lilies often symbolize purity or transience, irises can signify wisdom or faith, and chrysanthemums carry different connotations by culture, from honor and longevity to mourning. Collections of meanings appeared in etiquette manuals and poetry, and bouquets were crafted to convey a composite message.

Limitations include regional and historical variation; meanings were not universal and could shift over time. Personal associations and commercial conventions also shaped interpretations. In contemporary times floriography is less a formal system and more a cultural and literary motif, appearing in wedding design, decorative arts, fiction, and branding to evoke sentiment or historical flavor.

See also: language of flowers; plant symbolism.