The tradition of assigning meaning to botanical elements, known as floriography, is a form of historical non-verbal communication. For centuries, people used flowers and plants as a subtle medium to convey sentiments that could not be openly spoken. This botanical language allowed for the expression of a wide spectrum of human experience, from joy to profound and difficult emotions. By arranging specific blooms, a person could send a coded message, transforming simple bouquets into intricate texts rooted in tradition and myth.
The Marigold: Symbol of Grief and Pain
The Marigold, with its bright yellow and orange hues, holds a prominent place in floriography as a symbol of emotional pain and discontent. During the Victorian era, this cheerful bloom was given a negative association. It commonly represented feelings of grief, jealousy, cruelty, and despair over unrequited love.
The specific color further refined the message, with intense yellow often carrying the warning of jealousy. Presenting a Marigold was not a cheerful gesture but a silent accusation or a declaration of profound emotional distress.
The name, derived from “Mary’s Gold,” refers to the golden color of the petals, historically presented to the Virgin Mary as an offering. Despite this religious association, the Marigold’s symbolic meaning remained linked to mourning and despair. Its use in cultures like Mexico’s Día de los Muertos connects it to the remembrance of the dead and matters of loss.
Flowers Representing Deep Sorrow and Anguish
While the Marigold speaks to emotional pain and jealousy, other flowers are traditionally used to represent different forms of deep sorrow, anguish, and remembrance of suffering. One such flower is the Red Poppy (Papaver), a symbol linked to suffering, sacrifice, and the solemn act of remembrance. Its association stems from its ability to grow prolifically in disturbed earth, notably blooming across the battlefields of Flanders after the devastation of World War I.
The blood-red color of the poppy’s petals represents the bloodshed and sacrifice of fallen soldiers, immortalized in the poem “In Flanders Fields.” Beyond its modern connection to military loss, the poppy’s ancient symbolism tied it to sleep, death, and eternal rest. The goddess Demeter, grieving the loss of her daughter, was said to have created the flower to find solace and eternal sleep.
Another bloom rooted in the expression of regret and sorrow is the Hyacinth (Hyacinthus), especially the dark or purple varieties. Its meaning is drawn from Greek mythology, specifically the tragic story of the youth Hyacinthus, who was accidentally killed by the god Apollo. Apollo, heartbroken by the death, created the flower from his friend’s spilled blood.
The purple Hyacinth represents deep regret, a longing for reconciliation, and a plea for forgiveness, often used to express profound sorrow over a past mistake. In contrast to the Marigold’s jealous pain, the Hyacinth conveys sincere remorse. The Dark Crimson Rose, a shade deeper than traditional red, also functions as a symbol of grief, specifically signifying mourning and the death of affection. This deep hue is used in funerary contexts to express profound sadness and loss, a distinct message from the passionate love conveyed by a standard red rose.
Origin of Floriography and Symbolic Meanings
The formal system of floriography gained widespread popularity during the Victorian era. Due to strict social rules that limited open emotional expression, flowers became a discreet, accepted way to convey coded messages. This practice allowed individuals to communicate everything from love to hidden despair through the careful selection and arrangement of a bouquet.
The meanings assigned to each plant were drawn from various sources, including ancient folklore, regional traditions, and classical mythology. For instance, the Hyacinth’s symbolism is traceable to the Greek myth of Apollo. Physical characteristics also played a significant role; a flower that closed its petals at night might symbolize modesty.
The surge in interest led to the publication of numerous “language of flowers” dictionaries, beginning with an influential French text in 1819. These reference guides cataloged the specific definitions, allowing the silent language to flourish.