Victorian Flower Meaning

Roses had a special meaning for lovers during the Victorian era too.

Certain flowers have certain meanings. For example, most people know the rose is a symbol of love. However, during the Victorian era (1837 to 1901), each flower had a specific meaning attached to it.

Significance

Flowers during this era had a special meaning because expressing romantic love in public was socially incorrect. Giving flowers as gifts was a substitution for direct communication. According to the BBC, even the flower's scent had a meaning and sending a handkerchief with the smell on it signified a message or emotion.

Function

If flowers were delivered upright, that was considered a positive message. However, if a man gave a woman a rose facing down, it meant rejection. One popular way of conveying love was sending a "tussie mussie" to a paramour. These were small bouquets wrapped up in lace doily and satin. The flowers contained within were selected for their significance.

Fun Fact

Some flower meanings from the Victorian period are still in effect. For example, the hibiscus flower stood for "delicate beauty" during that epoch and still does. Meanwhile, sending bluebells meant "gratitude," lavender meant "devotion" or "love" and daisies stood for "innocence" or "loyal love."

References

• Meaning of Flowers: Victorian Meaning of Flowers
• Meaning of Flowers: Hibiscus
• About Flowers: Flower Meanings and Meanings of Flowers
• BBC: The Language of Flowers
• Victorian Bazaar: Language of Flowers