THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS The meanings of flowers have come from many legends throughout history. The time when these meanings were actually put to use the most was in Victorian England (during the reign of Queen Victoria). The exchange of flowers gave a way for lovers to communicate without the knowledge of chaperones. The way the flowers were worn or presented, the color of the flower, and of course the flower itself all had to do with the particular message that was trying to be conveyed. If the flowers were resented upright, they had a positive meaning. However, if they were presented upside down, their meaning was the opposite. If the ribbon was tied to the left, the meaning referred to the giver; the right referred to the recipient. Flowers were used to answer questions also. If they were handed over with the right hand, the answer was "yes"; with the left hand, "no". Here is an example I found in Garden Flower Folklore by Laura C. Martin. "If a boy sent a girl a rosebud with the leaves and thorns still on it, it meant "I fear, but hope". If the rosebud was returned upside down, it meant, "You must neither fear nor hope". If the rosebud was returned with the thorns removed, the message was "you have everything to hope for". If the thorns were left but the leaves removed, the message was "you have everything to fear". If the young lady kept the rosebud and placed it in her hair, it meant "caution". If she placed it over her heart, the message was clearly "love". Flowers and Their Meanings Amaryllis: pride Anemone: forsaken Begonia: beware Bluebell: constancy Carnation (purple): antipathy Carnation (red): admiration Carnation (striped): refusal Carnation (white): pure and ardent love Carnation (yellow): disdain Chrysanthemum (red): I love Chrysanthemum (white): truth Chrysanthemum (yellow): slighted love Clematis: mental beauty Columbine: folly Cornflower: delicacy Daffodil: regard and chivalry Daisy: innocence, gentleness Dandelion: oracle Forget-Me-Not: insincerity Geranium: melancholy Hollyhock: female ambition Iris: message, faith and wisdom Lavender: distrust Lilac: first emotions of love Marigold: jealousy Morning Glory: farewell and departure Narcissus: conceit Orchid: a belle Pansy: thoughts Peony: shame and bashfulness Poppy: eternal sleep Poppy (red): love and desire Rose (red): love and desire Rose (pink): our love is perfect happiness Rose (white): charm and innocence Rose (red and white): unity Rose (yellow): jealousy and infidelity Rosebud: beauty and youth Rose (withered): fading beauty Sunflower: haughtiness, devotion Tiger Lily: declaration of love Violet: modesty Wallflower: friendship in adversity Zinnia: thoughts of absent friends Now that you know the meanings of some of the most well known flowers, why don't you send some to someone special and tell them just how you feel.