Speech of Flowers
By AngelCeleste85
The Language of Flowers:
Yes, there actually was a Language of Flowers in Victorian times: it's older than that, but they adopted it from other cultures and formalized it. In Turkey, matters of military importance were entrusted to couriers carrying floral arrangements. The meanings used today are generally the Victorian meanings, though some are different today than what they once were. For purposes of this mini-essay, I am referring only to the Victorian meanings and methods.
Why flowers? Because flowers are so beautiful and innocuous-looking, also very versatile, and there are so many different kinds. The meanings the Victorians associated with their flowers were generally similar across Europe and America though sometimes there were differences (even significant differences) depending on who one asked. Often they were based on ancient mythology, medicine and what these same people disdained as "superstition."
Everything had significance in the presentation of flowers: the size, color and quality of the blossoms, the color of the ribbon binding them and where it was tied, and of course the kind of flower itself. Also the way in which it was handed to another held meaning. In a time which is still used as a byword for prudery and lack of self-expression, when everything was strictly monitored by chaperones and by society at large and societal etiquette ruled all, flowers became the secret messengers, speaking volumes in silence that could not dare to be said aloud.
Women, though intelligence was not encouraged, were required by polite society to learn the language of flowers and sometimes spent hours researching the right flower for the message they wanted to send. Anyone who considered themselves a proper gentleman or lady would have known how to say what they meant, and read what was said, in a not-so-simple bunch of flowers. A common method of sending a message this way (probably the most common) was to make a bouquet or a "tussie-mussie," the origin of which name comes from Welsh culture.
The most well-known surviving example of the Language of Flowers is a single (simplicity, perpetuity) red (passion, desire) rose (true love). I've not yet been able to find out where this "dozen roses" stuff comes from, but it is not out of the question for it to have mystical or astrological significance. Of course, it just may be extravagance and/or greed.
Handing the flower to another upright or with the right hand had a positive meaning, blossom downwards or with the left hand a negative or a denial, a complete reversal of the flower's upright meaning (similar to Tarot cards in that respect). In Victorian times, to receive a rose that was upside- down was considered the ultimate rejection.
I could not find a meaning for a black ribbon, but black was (and still is) the preferred color of mourning in Western society and I chose that since I could not find a color that fit other than that: I also thought it appropriate since black is the color of the deepest shadows. Tying the ribbon on the left side of the flower refers to the giver: tied on the right side refers to the receiver.
In the Victorian era, tulips were expensive. They were also native to Persia and Turkey: according to Leroux Erik spent no small amount of time in Tehran and in Istanbul (then Constantinople). Red tulips are given a meaning approximating "As the red of this flower burns, so too do I burn for you" (that give you an idea of the meaning yet?). Yellow tulips show a hopeless love that has no chance of reconciliation: daffodils generally mean unrequited love, great regard and respect, and chivalry: they are also laden with another double meaning: "My fond hopes have been dashed by your behavior," or "The sun is always shining when I'm with you."
For Raoul-bashers, the flower you're looking for is coxcomb. Coxcomb is an insult in the language of flowers: it names the recipient, if presented right, as an arrogant fop (precisely the word used)! Also of use to you may be basil (hatred), cypress (death/mourning/despair) and columbine (folly).
As a final note, Erik giving Christine a bunch of red and yellow roses would *not* have been appropriate to the story, as the combination means "Congratulations" (though with his biting sense of sarcasm that comes through so clearly in both musical and book, maybe it's possible in another story with a different context, I'll think about that). On their own, however, yellow roses can mean "forget me not" or "I have another lover/suitor."
I hope you enjoyed this little insight into Victorian times and please give me some feedback!
Deborah AngelCeleste85
The Language of Flowers:
Yes, there actually was a Language of Flowers in Victorian times: it's older than that, but they adopted it from other cultures and formalized it. In Turkey, matters of military importance were entrusted to couriers carrying floral arrangements. The meanings used today are generally the Victorian meanings, though some are different today than what they once were. For purposes of this mini-essay, I am referring only to the Victorian meanings and methods.
Why flowers? Because flowers are so beautiful and innocuous-looking, also very versatile, and there are so many different kinds. The meanings the Victorians associated with their flowers were generally similar across Europe and America though sometimes there were differences (even significant differences) depending on who one asked. Often they were based on ancient mythology, medicine and what these same people disdained as "superstition."
Everything had significance in the presentation of flowers: the size, color and quality of the blossoms, the color of the ribbon binding them and where it was tied, and of course the kind of flower itself. Also the way in which it was handed to another held meaning. In a time which is still used as a byword for prudery and lack of self-expression, when everything was strictly monitored by chaperones and by society at large and societal etiquette ruled all, flowers became the secret messengers, speaking volumes in silence that could not dare to be said aloud.
Women, though intelligence was not encouraged, were required by polite society to learn the language of flowers and sometimes spent hours researching the right flower for the message they wanted to send. Anyone who considered themselves a proper gentleman or lady would have known how to say what they meant, and read what was said, in a not-so-simple bunch of flowers. A common method of sending a message this way (probably the most common) was to make a bouquet or a "tussie-mussie," the origin of which name comes from Welsh culture.
The most well-known surviving example of the Language of Flowers is a single (simplicity, perpetuity) red (passion, desire) rose (true love). I've not yet been able to find out where this "dozen roses" stuff comes from, but it is not out of the question for it to have mystical or astrological significance. Of course, it just may be extravagance and/or greed.
Handing the flower to another upright or with the right hand had a positive meaning, blossom downwards or with the left hand a negative or a denial, a complete reversal of the flower's upright meaning (similar to Tarot cards in that respect). In Victorian times, to receive a rose that was upside- down was considered the ultimate rejection.
I could not find a meaning for a black ribbon, but black was (and still is) the preferred color of mourning in Western society and I chose that since I could not find a color that fit other than that: I also thought it appropriate since black is the color of the deepest shadows. Tying the ribbon on the left side of the flower refers to the giver: tied on the right side refers to the receiver.
In the Victorian era, tulips were expensive. They were also native to Persia and Turkey: according to Leroux Erik spent no small amount of time in Tehran and in Istanbul (then Constantinople). Red tulips are given a meaning approximating "As the red of this flower burns, so too do I burn for you" (that give you an idea of the meaning yet?). Yellow tulips show a hopeless love that has no chance of reconciliation: daffodils generally mean unrequited love, great regard and respect, and chivalry: they are also laden with another double meaning: "My fond hopes have been dashed by your behavior," or "The sun is always shining when I'm with you."
For Raoul-bashers, the flower you're looking for is coxcomb. Coxcomb is an insult in the language of flowers: it names the recipient, if presented right, as an arrogant fop (precisely the word used)! Also of use to you may be basil (hatred), cypress (death/mourning/despair) and columbine (folly).
As a final note, Erik giving Christine a bunch of red and yellow roses would *not* have been appropriate to the story, as the combination means "Congratulations" (though with his biting sense of sarcasm that comes through so clearly in both musical and book, maybe it's possible in another story with a different context, I'll think about that). On their own, however, yellow roses can mean "forget me not" or "I have another lover/suitor."
I hope you enjoyed this little insight into Victorian times and please give me some feedback!
Deborah AngelCeleste85