The language of flowers

Chances are you know there's a whole not-so-secret language that was used quite commonly in Victorian times. Here are some romantic sentiments and the flowers that represent them...in case you want to send a secret message to your favorite Valentine.



Bashfulness ....................... Peony

Be Mine.............................. Four Leaf Clover

Delicate Beauty.................. Hibiscus

Elegance and Diginity........ Dahlia

Fecundity............................Hollyhock

Fidelity in love....................Lemon blossoms

Goodness.............................Flowering Laurel

Lasting Love.......................Chinese Primrose

Love.....................................Rose, red chyrsanthemum

Mirth....................................Saffron Crocus

Modesty...............................White Violet, Lily

Partiality................................................Pink Geranium

Peace......................................................Gardenia, Olive

Protection..............................................Juniper

Remembrance......................................Rosemary

Sensuality.............................................Spanish Jasmine

Thoughts...............................................Pansy

True Love..............................................Forget-Me-Not

Virtue.....................................................Mint

Welcome................................................Mayflower

Wisdom..................................................Blue Salvia

Youth......................................................Primrose



As I was cataloging these, I started wondering if the song "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme" meant more than "Find me a chicken to roast! Now!"



According to The Language and Sentiment of Flowers by James D. McCabe those ingredients would break down like this:



Parsley.............Feasting, Festivity

Sage..................Domestic Virtues

Rosemary........Remembrance

Thyme.............Activity or courage





I think there's the beginning of a plot in there somewhere.



Happy Valentine's Day, folks!



Talia