This summer, I had the pleasure of curating a reading room display on the language of flowers. As a cataloger, recently much of my work has focused on enhancing biographic records, but with spring and summer in full bloom outside my window I found myself captivated by the beautiful illustrations featured in many books about the language of flowers. I had the opportunity to explore the Society’s collection of annually issued periodicals and select items for the reading room display. Along with the annuals, I included a few variations on the typical Language of Flowers books, such as a book on flower fortune-telling, a flower calendar with a different meaning for each day of the year, and a young girl’s manuscript filled with notes on flowers and their meanings.
For those unfamiliar with the language of flowers, it is a Victorian pastime that originated in France, then spread to England and eventually to America. The practice assigns symbolic meanings to flowers, which can be used to convey messages. For example, a rose signifies true love, while lilies symbolize mourning. However, as I delved deeper into the subject by reading Beverly Seaton’s book, The Language of Flowers: A History, I discovered that the meanings of flowers are rarely consistent across different texts. Seaton also notes that most flowers would not be in bloom simultaneously for a conversation, and suitors likely wouldn’t spend hours encoding their messages in flowers. Instead, these beautifully bound books were probably more decorative than practical, serving as coffee table books and idle entertainment in Victorian parlors rather than tools for crafting secret love notes.
One exception, however, is Herman Melville, who reportedly used the language of flowers to send messages to his wife. However, there is little evidence to suggest that this was a widespread practice or that it was as common as the popularity of these books might suggest.
Many American books on the language of flowers were created by women, as compilers or editors. The mid-1850s saw a culture of women’s magazines and female authors who embraced the trend of language of flowers books in America. While some authors copied directly from their English counterparts, others included flowers native to North America and expanded the meanings of each bloom beyond romance, incorporating messages related to friendship and marriage. These books also often featured notes on botany and flower anatomy, fueling scientific curiosity and encouraging readers to look beyond the flowers’ aesthetic appeal.
One of my favorite discoveries is Flora’s Dictionary by Mrs. Elizabeth Washington Wirt, the first popular flower dictionary in America, published around 1837. It stands out as one of the most comprehensive language of flowers books, with an extensive list of flowers not found in other dictionaries. Later editions also feature beautiful illustrations of flower bouquets. I particularly enjoy the meanings and accompanying verses in this dictionary. For instance, purple lilacs in Flora’s Dictionary represent “the first emotions of love,” which I find particularly charming.
On page 102, an illustration of white and purple lilacs with lilies form a bouquet that echoes the meanings and poetry found on the facing page.
The next page, opposite the bouquet, shares the meanings of white and purple lilac. Purple lilac symbolizes the first emotions of love.
If you have a chance to visit the American Antiquarian Society in the next few weeks, please stop by to view the language of flowers display. I hope you enjoy the display as much as I enjoyed curating it!
References
Seaton, Beverly. The Language of Flowers: A History. Charlottesville and London: University Press of Virginia, 1995.
