Our Journal
The Lost Language of Flowers
More than 7000 languages are spoken in the world today but one you may not have heard of is the ancient language of flowers. It is known as Floriography, a means of cryptological communication through the choice and arrangement of flowers.
Meaning has been attributed to flowers for thousands of year-end practised in traditional cultures across the world. As great lovers of flowers and plants, utilising them in our natural dyes we love this ancient wisdom and wish to revive this knowledge.
During the Victorian era this practise became very popular with the first floriography dictionary published in 1819, by Madame Charlotte de la Tour. At a time when expressing ones true feelings wasn't easy or was feared it opened a door.
We have put together a list of the flowers you can use as a starting point for sending your own messages and speaking from your heart.
Roses – Nothing says I love you better than a red rose. Associated with the goddess of love, they symbolise love, passion, romance and desire.
Lavender – Don’t trust someone? Give them lavender. It is a symbol of distrust due to the fact that venomous snakes often make their homes in lavender fields. The origins of the word come from the latin “lavare” which means to wash. It was often added to baths for fragrance.
Daisies are associated with childhood which in turn is symbolic of innocence and purity. In an old Celtic legend God would plant daisies to comfort and uplift parents who had lost children.
Iris – Do you have sone good news to share. Iris is your flower. The word comes from the greek for "rainbow". Rainbows are a link between heaven an earth which the greek goddess Iris uses to travel back and forth bringing messages of hope and good news.
Chrysanthemum – In China this flower is symbolic of good luck and a long life.
Pansy – an edible flower whose name comes from the French verb “to think- pensée” is the perfect flower to give to someone when you want to remind them that you are thinking of them and are generally associated with platonic love.
Rosemary - the plant associated with memory is symbolic of remembrance so a good one to use on anniversaries.
Say it with flowers...