Understanding the language of flowers

By Pam Baytos

OSU Extension master gardener volunteer

Floral communication is at least as old as the Golden Age of Greece.

According to Greek and Roman myths, many gods, goddesses and innocent nymphs were transformed into various flowers, which in turn, took on the characteristics of these personages. For example, narcissus is named for the Greek youth who spent his days looking at his own reflection, now the plant is a symbol of egotism.

It was the Turks in the late 17th century who truly developed the art of communicating with flowers. They could convey almost any sentiment using different flowers. Displeasure, love, compassion, forgiveness, friendship and countless other feelings could be sent by means of a bouquet of flowers.

The language of flowers was introduced to England in the early 1700s by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, wife of the English ambassador to Turkey.

The language of flowers was quite suited to Victorian England, as it allowed for communication between lovers without the knowledge of ever-present chaperones and parents.

Messages could be conveyed by sending certain types of flowers, with great importance on how these flowers were sent, as this was also part of the message.

If the blossom was presented upright, it carried a positive thought. If the flower came upside-down, it might mean quite the opposite. If flowers were used to answer a question and were handed over with the right hand, it meant “yes”; with the left hand, the answer was “no.”

Other conditions of the plant were important as well. The Victorians took the language of flowers a bit further and actually began attributing personalities to various flowers.

During the last part of the 19th century, several floral dictionaries were published. Because more than one dictionary existed, the possibility for error was great.

It was during the Victorian period that tussie-mussies became popular. A tussie-mussie is a small bouquet of fresh or dried flowers, usually surrounded by lacy doilies and satin ribbons.

Tussie-mussies were popular for the very practical purpose of warding off bad smells and disease. They were also call nosegays for the happy scents they emitted.

Some of the most useful flowers for this purpose included lavender, rosemary and thyme.

You can use the language of flowers now by making a tussie-mussie. Tussie-mussies are easy to make and, accompanied by a card explaining the meanings of the flowers used, make a uniquely personal present.

To learn the specific meanings of several common flowers, visit go.osu.edu/flowermeanings.