Like any other language, the language of flowers conveys a message, using flowers, instead of words. Through the years, people have used flowers to express their feelings to others in many ways and today, some flowers have different meanings. But if we look back, this cryptology stems from the Victorian era (1800s), when it was used as a form of coded communication for restrictive courtship. In Vanessa Diffenbaugh's book "The Language of Flowers", the author includes Victoria's Dictionary of Flower, which brilliantly fusions the traditional victorian flowers with the ones from today. Here are just a few...
Victoria's Dictionary of Flower:
A
Aloe (Aloe vera) . . . Grief
Azalea (Rhododendron) . . . Fragile and ephemeral passion
B
Baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata) . . . Everlasting love
Begonia (Begonia) . . . Caution
Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) . . . Magnificence
C
Cactus (Opuntia) . . . Ardent love
Calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) . . . Modesty
Carnation, pink (Dianthus caryophyllus) . . . I will never forget you
Carnation, red (Dianthus caryophyllus) . . . My heart breaks
Carnation, striped (Dianthus caryophyllus) . . . I cannot be with you
Carnation, white (Dianthus caryophyllus) . . . Sweet and lovely
Carnation, yellow (Dianthus caryophyllus) . . . Disdain
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum) . . . Truth
Cyclamen (Cyclamen) . . . Timid hope
D
Dahlia (Dahlia) . . . Dignity
Daisy (Bellis) . . . Innocence
Daisy, Gerber (Gerbera) . . . Cheerfulness
E
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus) . . . Protection
F
Fern (Polypodiophyta) . . . Sincerity
Fig (Ficus carica) . . . Argument
Freesia (Freesia) . . . Lasting friendship
G
Gardenia (Gardenia) . . . Refinement
Geranium, oak-leaf (Pelargonium) . . . True friendship
Geranium, pencil-leaf (Pelargonium) . . . Ingenuity
Geranium, scarlet (Pelargonium) . . . Stupidity
Geranium, wild (Pelargonium) . . . Steadfast piety
H
Hibiscus (Hibiscus) . . . Delicate beauty
Hyacinth, blue (Hyacinthus orientalis) . . . Constancy
Hyacinth, purple (Hyacinthus orientalis) . . . Please forgive me
Hyacinth, white (Hyacinthus orientalis) . . . Beauty
Hydrangea (Hydrangea) . . . Dispassion
I
Iris (Iris) . . . Message
Ivy (Hedera helix) . . . Fidelity
J
Jasmine, Carolina (Gelsemium sempervirens) . . . Separation
Jasmine, Indian (Jasminum multiflorum) . . . Attachment
Jasmine, white (Jasminum officinale) . . . Amiability
Jonquil (Narcissus jonquilla) . . . Desire
L
Lavender (Lavandula) . . . Mistrust
Lilac (Syringa) . . . First emotions of love
Lily (Lilum) . . . Majesty
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) . . . Return of happiness
Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) . . . Purity
M
Mistletoe (Viscum) . . . I surmount all obstacles
Moss (Bryopsida) . . . Maternal love
O
Orchid (Orchidaceae) . . . Refined beauty
P
Peony (Paeonia) . . . Anger
Peppermint (Mentha) . . . Warmth of feeling
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) . . . Be of good cheer
R
Rose, burgundy (Rosa) . . . Unconscious beauty
Rose, moss (Rosa) . . . Confession of love
Rose, orange (Rosa) . . . Fascination
Rose, pale peach (Rosa) . . . Modesty
Rose, pink (Rosa) . . . Grace
Rose, purple (Rosa) . . . Enchantment
Rose, red (Rosa) . . . Love
Rose, white (Rosa) . . . A heart unacquainted with love
Rose, yellow (Rosa) . . . Infidelity
S
Sage (Salvia officinalis) . . . Good health and long life
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) . . . False riches
T
Tulip (Tulipa) . . . Declaration of love
W
Wheat (Triticum) . . . Prosperity