Perfumed Words
As far back as the middle ages, flowers have been considered, ‘perfumed words” and have been given to convey messages that are filled with love, romance, feelings of sadness, joy, hope or sympathy. Nearly every sentiment imaginable can be conveyed with a flower.
Even to this day, a bride has a story of ‘perfumed words’ hidden in her bouquet. In days gone by, our mothers, grandmothers and even from generations earlier selected the flowers on their wedding day to reflect their own personality, characteristics, feelings and emotions or to convey a message to the groom.
These days, the modern trend is seeing a resurgence of this tradition as brides are designing bridesmaids’ bouquets to reflect each of their personality.
The Groom also wears a flower in his top pocket. This was known in early days as wearing the ‘Lady’s Flower’ as a respect and love for his bride. Take a look through your old family photos and have fun discovering the story hidden in the bouquet that bride carried.
FLORIOGRAPHY – THE MESSAGES OF FLOWERS
In earlier days, a flower was a way to communicate messages that were not able to be verbalised in Victorian society. This is known as floriography. Gifts of blooms, plants and specific floral arrangements were sent as coded messages to the recipient, allowing the sender to express their feelings. Known as talking bouquets, nosegays or tussie-mussies, people would have a floral dictionary on hand to decode the communication sent with the flowers.
In a sort of silent dialogue, flowers could be used to answer “yes” or “no” questions. In a clear message, a “yes” answer came in the form of flowers handed over with the right hand; if the left hand was used, the answer was “no.”
Nearly every sentiment imaginable can be expressed with flowers. The orange blossom, for instance, means chastity, purity, and loveliness, while the red chrysanthemum means “I love you.”
FLOWER MEANINGS
Bluebells: kindness
Peonies: bashfulness
Rosemary: remembrance
Tulips: passion
Red rose: Love, I love you
Dark crimson rose: mourning
Ivy: Continuity
Fern: Eternal Youth, New life and new beginnings.
Gypsophila or Baby’s Breath: Everlasting love and innocence
Calla Lillies: Named after the Greek word for ‘beautiful” purity, holiness and faithfulness.
Carnation: Light red: admiration – dark red deep love and affection.
White carnation: purelove and good luck – striped, (variegated) regret that love cannot be shared.
Daisy: love, beauty, fertility, motherhood and new beginnings.
Camellia: Love, affection and admiration
Protea: One of the oldest families of flowers, dating back 300 million years: With its mythical associations with change and transformation, it symbolises diversity and Courage.
Eucalyptus: A symbol of strength, protection and survival.
Fern: Eternal youth: Maoris, new life and new beginnings, Japanese: New hope for future generations – family. For early Victorians, the fern symblized humility and sincerity.
Bird of Paradise: Paradise and freedom, joy, excellence, magnificence and success.
PRESERVING YOUR BOUQUET
When you preserve flowers, you’ll want to start the process when petals are still vibrant, colorful, and unstained. If you wait too long, they’ll have more time to die, wilt, and become discoloured. Once you have preserved your flowers, you can custom frame them to cherish as a keepsake.
Press the flowers
Hang the Flowers Upside Down to Dry
Submerge them in Silica Gel
Make a Resin Paperweight
Preserve Them With Glycerin
Freeze-Dry the Flowers
Paint Them (or Hire an Artist To)
Print and Frame your wedding day Photos and create a Photo Wall of Memories that will last a Lifetime.
Find out more here about our print and frame wedding packages.
With love and blooms…….
Jen
Interior Designer and sales, Coastal Framing and Design.