The Language of Flowers: An Alphabet of Floral Emblems

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inI'm Reading a Book, Nonfiction, Nonfiction Salon, Reading RoomTags:, , , , ,

The Public Domain Review and the Internet Archive are both excellent resources for accessing a wide range of literary and historical works. Their collections provide valuable insights into diverse cultural topics and historical periods. Whether you’re interested in exploring classic literature, historical documents, or visual arts, these virtual reading rooms offer a wealth of material for enthusiasts of all kinds.

In a recent e-mail from The Public Domain Review, I was introduced to “The Language of Flowers: An Alphabet of Floral Emblems” which is a fascinating exploration into the symbolism associated with various flowers. Published in 1857 by T. Nelson and Sons, this timeless work delves into the meanings and messages conveyed through different floral emblems. The book serves as a valuable resource for understanding the cultural significance and symbolism of flowers, presenting an intriguing glimpse into the language of flowers during the Victorian era.

The Language of Flowers: An Alphabet of Floral Emblems (London; New York: T. Nelson and Sons, 1857)

The book contains a dual-language dictionary of flowers and their meanings, listed alphabetically by floral name and the corresponding emotion or message. It also features a selection of poems by lesser-known poets such as C. A. Fillebrown, Miss J. A. Fletcher, and John Kenyon, which enhance the dictionary entries and highlight the intricate depth of floral symbolism.

Catchfly, Red

Youthful Love by Miss J. A. Fletcher

Never forget the holy love
It hath been ours to keep
Undimmed amid all cures and toils—
The true, the pure, the deep.
The trusting love of early youth,
Still fair in its own changeless truth.

Never forget— it hath been joy,
In suffering and in tears,
To know that thou wert still the same
As in our earlier years.
The cup of life were bitterer yet,
Could I but deem thou wouldst forget.

You can access the “The Language of Flowers” on The Public Domain Review and Internet Archive.

Victorians were fascinated with botany and had a keen interest in the “language of flowers”. During an era characterized by the repression of emotions, flowers emerged as a means of conveying sentiments that were otherwise difficult to express. Whether presented individually or as elaborate arrangements, flowers served as a medium for conveying unutterable emotions. This intertwining of botany and the symbolic language of flowers is a testament to the intricate ways in which Victorian society navigated the complexities of human expression and social norms

The Language of Flowers: An Alphabet of Floral Emblems (London; New York: T. Nelson and Sons, 1857)

In today’s world, flowers continue to hold symbolic meanings, much like they did in Victorian times. While the elaborate system of flower symbolism popularized during the Victorian era may not be as widely recognized, the practice of using specific flowers to convey emotions and messages remains prevalent. Occasions such as weddings, funerals, and other significant events often involve the careful selection of flowers to express sentiments and meanings. Certain flowers still carry traditional symbolic associations that are acknowledged and incorporated into modern floral arrangements. While the explicit “language of flowers” may have evolved, the enduring significance of floral symbolism in human culture remains a fascinating aspect of contemporary society.

Spring Flowers (Rebecca Budd Archives April 2024)

Roses are often associated with love and romance, with different colours of roses conveying varying emotions such as red for romantic love, pink for admiration, and yellow for friendship. Lilies are commonly linked to purity and virtue, making them a popular choice for funerals and symbolizing the innocence of the soul. Daisies represent innocence and gentleness, often used to convey sentiments of purity and new beginnings. Tulips are known for representing perfect love, with different colour variations symbolizing various emotions, such as red tulips symbolizing true love. Sunflowers symbolize adoration and loyalty and are often associated with feelings of warmth and positivity.


“The earth laughs in flowers.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

25 thoughts on “The Language of Flowers: An Alphabet of Floral Emblems”

  1. It’s impressive, Rebecca, what we can learn from flowers and they give us so much joy:) I, for myself, am more and more concentrating on all our herbs, which of course also bloom, and there importance on our health. I just mention some, like sage against sore throat problems, peppermint or maggi herbs for stomac pains or also dill weed with a lot of vitamins. Many thanks and all the best:)

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    1. Oh, Martina – you just gave me a wonderful idea – that is, to explore books about Herbs. I found one on Gutenberg Press and now have it on my Kindle to read. I have yet to find out more about the author, Rosalind Northcote, so I am now on a new reading adventure. I thought you would like to read the first poem:

      The Book of Herbs by Rosalind Northcote:

      HISTORY OF THE CRIES OF LONDON

      Here’s fine rosemary, sage and thyme.
      Come, buy my ground ivy.
      Here’s featherfew, gilliflowers and rue.
      Come, buy my knotted marjoram, ho!
      Come, buy my mint, my fine green mint.
      Here’s fine lavender for your cloaths,
      Here’s parseley and winter savory,
      And heartsease which all do choose.
      Here’s balm and hyssop and cinquefoil,
      All fine herbs it is well known.
      Let none despise the merry, merry cries
      Of famous London Town.
      Here’s penny royal and marygolds.
      Come, buy my nettle-tops.
      Here’s water-cresses and scurvy grass,
      Come buy my sage of virtue, ho!
      Come, buy my wormwood and mugworts.
      Here’s all fine herbs of every sort.
      Here’s southernwood that’s very good.
      Dandelion and houseleek.
      Here’s dragon’s tongue and wood sorrel,
      With bear’s-foot and horehound.
      Let none despise the merry, merry cries
      Of famous London Town.

      Roxburghe Ballads.

      https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/60050/pg60050-images.html

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      1. What a pleasure to read about your new discoveries together with the lovely poem. I am convinced that we have to learn a lot about herbs again, like our grandmothers, in order to become more indipendent of pills!

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    1. I agree, Margaret. I love finding these treasures. The more I read through the pages, the more I realized the huge amount of time and effort that went into creating this document. I tried to find who put the book together and all I could find was “John Thomas on Seafried Lodge 1861” on one of the pages.

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    1. I am delighted that you enjoyed reading about “The Language of Flowers”, Dave. The Internet Archive is a treasure trove of literature and a go-to place to understand past societies. Reading through books published by Victorians, I have a better understanding of the social norms of Victorian Society – the values, expectations, the societal structures, gender roles, class distinctions, and cultural attitudes. When I look back I want to appreciate the complexities of Victorian society and how their social norms have shaped our present-day perspectives. Did you vast difference in poetry composition!!!?

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    1. Many thanks for stopping by, GP. I am planning to have a post about poppies for our next November 11th Remembrance Day. As you know they are symbols of remembrance, hope, and sacrifice, originating from World War I battlefields where they flourished. The red poppy became a symbol of the bloodshed during the war and a tribute to fallen soldiers. Today, poppies are precious to us as a way to honour and remember those who have served and sacrificed for their countries, symbolizing resilience and the enduring memory of those lost in conflicts. Like the Victorians before us, it is difficult to put into words the sorrow for the sacrifices of many. So, we embrace the gentle poppy when words are no longer adequate.

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    1. I am with you, Liz! The internet Archive and Public Domain Review are exceptional resources. By the way, have you been following Internet Archive’s dispute with publishers?

      March 2023: https://time.com/6266147/internet-archive-copyright-infringement-books-lawsuit/

      Update April 2024: https://blog.archive.org/2024/04/19/internet-archive-stands-firm-on-library-digital-rights-in-final-brief-of-hachette-v-internet-archive-lawsuit/

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