Floriography is the art of speaking and sending messages using flowers. The practice of assigning meaning to flowers dates back to Biblical times, but it wasn't until the 19th Century that floriography became hugely popular. At this time, several prominent books and dictionaries on the language of flowers were published.
Victorian Britain had famously strict social rules and etiquette. Interaction between unmarried men and women was difficult, and publicly displaying your emotion was seen as impolite.
Floriography became popular as it allowed people to say the things that they couldn't say aloud. As you might expect, bouquets with romantic meanings were common. However, the Victorians got even more creative with the language of flowers. For example, sending a bouquet of geranium was a subtle way to tell someone that they were stupid!
Today, many are rediscovering the language of flowers to add an extra layer of sentimentality to gifts, decor, and more.
These pretty blue wildflowers are found mostly in Europe. You're sure to come across some if you take a walk in the British countryside.
As the name suggests, forget-me-nots are associated with the remembrance of people, events, places, and more. They're also a symbol of enduring love and faithfulness.
Forget-me-nots can be given or used in memory of a loved one. They're also popular amongst those in long-distance relationships.
Daisies are very common, but that doesn't make them any less special.
These flowers take many of us back to the memory of childhood summers spent making daisy chains. So, it's no surprise that daisies are a symbol of innocence. Shakespeare himself used daisies to signify Ophelia's innocence and purity in Hamlet.
The word 'daisy' comes from an Old English word meaning 'day's eye'. This is because daisies close their petals at night time, and only reveal their bright yellow centre at daybreak. This is perhaps why daisies also symbolise new beginnings and were popular as gifts for new mothers.
Roses are the ultimate symbol of romance and passion - there's a reason that roses are the classic flower given on Valentine's Day! The Ancient Greeks associated roses with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. In Christianity, roses have been associated with the Virgin Mary.
Of course, roses come in a variety of colours, and each colour has additional meanings. For example, pink roses are a token of gratitude, and white roses represent purity.
Sunflowers live longer than most flowers, so this cheery flower represents healing and wellness. They also represent hope and positive thinking, as sunflowers turn to face the sun as it moves through the sky.
Many people love the relaxing scent of lavender. A common practice is to place dried lavender inside pillows to aid restful sleep. Therefore, it naturally follows that lavender is a symbol of calmness and serenity.
In the Victorian era, lavender was also a symbol of loyalty and devotion making them popular amongst lovers.
These elegant flowers are a symbol of self-love, self-assurance, and inner strength.
During the Victorian Era, orchids were only found in tropical climates. This led them to be a sign of luxury and splendour.
The bird of paradise originates from South Africa. It earned its name as its unusual name resembles a bird in flight.
These flowers are a symbol of freedom and joy, no doubt due to their beautiful bright colours and obvious association with birds.
Water lilies are found in different varieties all over the world, and they're also known as lotus flowers. Lotus flowers are sacred in Buddhism, and they represent truth and purity. In Hinduism, they signify the resurrection.
For many people, the water lily represents rising above struggles as these beautiful flowers elegantly float atop of the water.
A beautiful bouquet is always a perfect gift, so why not pair it with a piece from Daisy London's Floriography collection?
As the name suggests, the language of flowers was the main inspiration for this collection as well as the practice of flower pressing. The symbolic necklaces are available in both silver and gold-plated options.
These pieces look beautiful layered, so you can create a symbolic combination that's special to you. They're perfect for both gifting and self-gifting, so browse the Floriography collection and find meaningful, romantic jewellery.