There are many webpages on the Language of Victorian Flowers. I know no other way to approach the subject except to first tell you where this fascination first arose and who by. The Victorians truly loved flowers. The type of flower and even color spoke volumes and indicated much about the person giving them. The very first flower dictionary was written by Charlotte de la Tour in 1818, prior to the Victorian Era. Le Language des Fleurs was it’s name. Thereafter, another was written about the symbolism of flowers by Miss Corruthers, in 1879. This became the standard for flower symbolism as we know of it today.

Flowers played an important role in decorating as well. And they were used to convey special messages to others. Don’t forget the variety of superstitions regarding some flowers. Victorian’s simply adored using flowers as a means to communicate and to decorate. One of the true desires of most Victorian women was to express herself through the decoration of her home. Surely, flowers played a part in her expressions. Women of today also get a sense of enjoyment from expressing themselves through decorating their homes. Flowers are simply essential to decorating and to expressing one’s heart.

Roses, were endearing to the hearts of many in the Victorian Era. This flower epitomized the romance of the era. Victorians marveled in the beauty of the rose and used it to decorate their homes, as a theme of a poem or ballad sung in popular tunes of the time. Yes, Victorians had rose fever. Flowers in general were the love of many. They became so associated to the Victorian Era that most regard roses and flowers as an “old fashioned” thing. And this so adds to their appeal to the many Victorian enthusiasts of today.

There are many ways that you can decorate with flowers or with the floral pattern. The Victorians did it and so can you. There are many places to plant your flowers other than the nearest window vase. Silk or velvet roses in a china vase with a floral design, a single rose, appliquéd on a black or midnight blue velvet throw pillow, rose-petal potpourri in a cut glass bowl which you could place on a table beside your chair or sofa, scrap-art decoupage flowers (made from wrapping paper or other papers) placed on a box, tray, lampshade or picture frame, floral covered fabric for a lampshade, vintage oil or watercolor of a bowl or vase of roses, plaster ceiling rosette, rose wallpaper, rose trim, antique roses in a shadow box, an embroidered picture of a flower garden, rose needlepoint covering for a chair or footstool and rose decoupage candles. There are a fountain of things you can do with flowers at home. Below are a few examples of flowers and their meanings.
Here are but a few examples of flowers and what they symbolize:

  • Apple Blossom - preference
  • Azalea - temperance
  • Basil - hatred
  • Columbine - folly
  • Daisy - innocence
  • Daffodil - regard
  • Holly - foresight
  • Iris - message
  • Ivy - fidelity
  • Lavender - distrust
  • Lily - purity
  • Marigold - sorrow
  • Morning Glory - affection
  • Myrtle - love and marriage
  • Oak - hospitality
  • Pansy - thoughtfulness
  • Primrose - consistency
  • Rhododendron - danger
  • Rose (single) - simplicity
  • Thistle - defiance
  • Tulip - fame
  • Violet - faithfulness
  • Water-lily - pure of heart
  • Zinnia - thoughts of absent friends




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