Flowers, more than the language of love....Language. Period.

As summer is in full bloom, with flowers popping up all around you, I thought it would be a good time of year to tell you a little history about the flowers that you may be considering for your wedding.

Did you know that there is an entire language to flowers? This language started in Constantinople in the 1600s, and was brought to England in 1716 by Lady Mary Wortley Montague who had spent time in Turkey with her husband. The interest in flowers and their meanings then moved to France where there was even a book printed called "Le Language des Fleurs" which was basically a catalog of over 800 floral signs. Many of the floral phonics were toned down in the English translation at the time of Queen Victoria because they were quite lusty and risque, shocking the delicate court. But, nearly every flower known to man earned a meaning, and suitors soon had quite a time expressing themselves with a simple trip to the florist. Not only did every bloom mean something on its own, but, a group of flowers together could also mean something entirely different than the individual blooms did by themselves...and the placement of those flowers could change the meaning again! The color, size, number of leaves, with or without thorns, everything about a flower as well as how it was placed took on a sentiment that, if a woman could interpret it, enabled her to find out what her lover wanted to tell her. (And I thought men were confusing on their own! Guys with flowers are mind-boggling!)

If you are planning on some exotic blooms for your wedding, or simply want a lovely garden rose, consider the meanings of each of your flowers before finalizing that order with your florist. You may want to take a minute to delete a noxious weed, or, if there's a special feeling you'd like to express, find it in the list and see if your florist can add the extra sentiment to your bouquet. Below is a short list of what only roses in different colors say to the one you love, but you can also link to a complete list of posies and their old Constantinople-ite meanings here as well as at one of my favorite resources lately, Wikipedia to assure that your flowers are saying everything that you want them to!

Red roses of any hue = "I love you"
Deep red = Unconscious beauty
White = Spiritual love and purity
Bridal white = Happy love
Yellow today = Joy and gladness; (historically they meant a decrease of love and infidelity)
Coral = Desire
Orange = "I am fascinated and enthusiastic"
Lavender = Love at first sight
Light pink = Grace, gentility and admiration
Dark pink = "Thank you"
General, pale-colored = Friendship
A single rose = Simplicity
Two roses joined together = Engagement
A dozen roses = The ultimate declaration of love
White and Red = Unity
Red and yellow = "Congratulations!"
Yellow and orange = Passionate thoughts

For more flower fun visit my Florilista website!