Victorian Flower Meaning

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."