The most noted code of floral signs, used as a language by the Turkish and Greek women in the Levant, and by the African females on the coast of Barbary, was introduced into Western Europe by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu and La Mortraie, the companion in exile of Charles XII., and obtained in France and England much popularity as the “Turkish Language of Flowers.” This language is said to be much employed in the Turkish harems, where the women practise it, either for the sake of mere diversion in their seclusion, or for carrying on secret communication.
In France and Germany, the language of flowers has taken deep root, and in our own country the poetic symbolisms of Shakspeare, Chaucer, Herrick, Drayton, and others of the earlier bards, laid the groundwork for the very complete system of floral emblemism, or language of flowers, which we now possess. A great many works have been published, containing floral codes, or dictionaries: most of these, however, possess but little merit as expositions of old symbols or traditions, and have been compiled principally from modern sources.
An ancient floral vocabulary, taken from Dierbach’s Flora Mythologica der Griechen und Römer, and an approved modern English ‘Dictionary of Flowers,’ are appended, in order to make this portion of our subject complete.
Ancient Floral Vocabulary.
| Absinth | The Bitterness and Torments of Love. |
| Acacia | Love, pure and platonic. |
| Acanthus | Love of Fine Arts. |
| Althea | Exquisite Sweetness. |
| Amaranth | Fidelity and Constancy. |
| Anemone | Abandonment. |
| Angelica | Gentle Melancholy. |
| Argentine | Ingenuity. |
| Aster | Elegance. |
| Balsam | Impatience. |
| Basil | Poverty. |
| Betony | Emotion and Surprise. |
| Bindweed | Coquetry. |
| Bluet | Clearness and Light. |
| Box | Firmness and Stoicism. |
| Bramble | Injustice and Envy. |
| Burdock | Importunity. |
| Buttercup | Sarcasm. |
| Calendula | Anxiety. |
| Camellia | Constancy and Steadfastness. |
| Carrot | Good Character. |
| Cinquefoil | Maternal Love. |
| Colchicum | Bad Character. |
| Cypress | Mourning and Grief. |
| Dahlia | Sterile Abundance. |
| Daisy (Easter) | Candour and Innocence. |
| Dandelion | Oracle. |
| Darnel | Vice. |
| Digitalis | Work. |
| Dittany | Discretion. |
| Elder | Humility. |
| Ephemeris | Transient Happiness. |
| Everlasting Flwr. | Constancy. |
| Fennel | Merit. |
| Fern | Confidence. |
| Forget-me-not | Faithful Remembrance. |
| Foxglove | Adulation. |
| Fuchsia | Amiability. |
| Fumitory | Hatred. |
| Geranium | Folly. |
| Hawthorn | Sweet Hope. |
| Heliotrope | Eternal Love. |
| Hellebore | Wit. |
| Hemlock | Perfidy. |
| Holly | Defence. |
| Honeysuckle | Bond of Affection. |
| Hyacinth | Amenity. |
| Hydrangea | Coldness. |
| Iris | Indifference. |
| Ivy | Attachment. |
| Jasmine | Amiability. |
| Jonquil | Amorous Languor. |
| Jujube-tree | Relief. |
| Larkspur | Open Heart. |
| Laurel | Victory and Glory. |
| Lavender | Silence. |
| Lilac | First Troubles of Love. |
| Lily | Purity and Majesty. |
| Maidenhair | Bond of Love. |
| Marjoram | Consolation. |
| Marvel of Peru | Flame of Love. |
| Mallow | Maternal Tenderness. |
| Mint | Wisdom and Virtue. |
| Milfoil | Cure and Recovery. |
| Moonwort | Bad Payment. |
| Myrtle | Love. |
| Narcissus | Self-esteem and Fatuity. |
| Nettle | Cruelty. |
| Olive | Peace. |
| Orange-tree | Virginity, Generosity. |
| Peony | Shame. |
| Periwinkle | Unalterable Friendship. |
| Pineapple | Perfection. |
| Pink | Pure and Ardent Love. |
| Poppy | Sleep. |
| Privet | Youth. |
| Rose | Beauty and Love. |
| Rosemary | Power of Re-kindling extinct Energy. |
| Rue | Fecundity of Fields. |
| Sage | Esteem. |
| Sensitive-plant | Modesty. |
| Solanum | Prodigality. |
| Spindle-tree | Ineffaceable Memory. |
| Strawberry | Intoxication, Delight. |
| Thyme | Spontaneous Emotion. |
| Trefoil | Uncertainty. |
| Tulip | Grandeur. |
| Valerian | Readiness. |
| Vervain | Pure Affection. |
| Viburnum | Coolness. |
| Violet | Modesty. |
A Dictionary of Flowers.
| Acacia | Friendship. |
| —— Rose | Elegance. |
| Acanthus | The Arts. |
| Achillea millefolia | War. |
| Adonis, Flos | Painful Recollections. |
| Agrimony | Thankfulness. |
| Almond-tree | Indiscretion. |
| Aloe | Grief. |
| Amaranth | Immortality. |
| Amaryllis | Pride. |
| Anemone | Forsaken. |
| —— Field | Sickness. |
|
Angelica | Inspiration. |
| Angrec | Royalty. |
| Apple-blossom | Preference. |
| Ash-tree | Grandeur. |
| Asphodel | My regrets follow you to the grave. |
| Aster, China | Variety. |
| —— | After-Thought. |
| Balm of Gilead | Cure. |
| —— Gentle | Joking. |
| Balsam | Impatience. |
| Barberry | Sourness of Temper. |
| Basil | Hate. |
| Beech | Prosperity. |
| Bilberry | Treachery. |
| Bladder-nut | Frivolous Amusement. |
| Borage | Bluntness. |
| Box-tree | Stoicism. |
| Bramble | Envy. |
| Broom | Humility and Neatness. |
| Buckbean | Calm Repose. |
| Bugloss | Falsehood. |
| Bulrush | Indiscretion. |
| Burdock | Touch me not. |
| Buttercup | Ingratitude. |
| Cactus, Virginia | Horror. |
| Canterbury Bell | Constancy. |
| Catchfly | Snare. |
| Champignon | Suspicion. |
| Cherry-tree | Good Education. |
| Chesnut-tree | Do me Justice. |
| Chicory | Frugality. |
| Cinquefoil | Beloved Daughter. |
| Circæa | Spell. |
| Clematis | Artifice. |
| Clotbur | Rudeness. |
| Clove-tree | Dignity. |
| Columbine | Folly. |
| Convolvulus (night) | Night. |
| Coriander | Hidden Merit. |
| Corn | Riches. |
| Corn-bottle | Delicacy. |
| Cornel Cherry | Durability. |
| Cowslip, Amer. | You are my Divinity. |
| Cress | Resolution. |
| Crown Imperial | Power. |
| Cuscuta | Meanness. |
| Cypress | Mourning. |
| Daffodil | Self Love. |
| Daisy | Innocence. |
| —— Garden | I share your sentiments. |
| —— Wild | I will think of it. |
| Dandelion | The Rustic Oracle. |
| Day Lily, Yellow | Coquetry. |
| Dittany | Childbirth. |
| Dock | Patience. |
| Dodder | Meanness. |
| Ebony-tree | Blackness. |
| Eglantine | Poetry. |
| Fennel | Strength. |
| Fig | Longevity. |
| Fir-tree | Elevations. |
| Flax | I feel your kindness. |
| Flower-de-Luce | Flame. |
| Forget-Me-Not | Forget me not. |
| Fraxinella | Fire. |
| Fuller’s Teasel | Misanthropy. |
| Geranium | Deceit. |
| —— Oak-leaved | True Friendship. |
| —— Silver-leaved | Recall. |
| —— Pencilled-leaf | Ingenuity. |
| —— Rose-scented | Preference. |
| —— Scarlet | Stupidity. |
| —— Sorrowful | Melancholy Mind. |
| —— Wild | Steadfast Piety. |
| Grass | Utility. |
| Hawthorn | Hope. |
| Hazel | Peace, Reconciliation. |
| Heart’s Ease | Think of me. |
| Heath | Solitude. |
| Heliotrope, Peruvian | Devoted Attachment. |
| Hellenium | Tears. |
| Hepatica | Confidence. |
| Holly | Foresight. |
| Hollyhock | Ambition. |
| Honeysuckle | Generous and Devoted Affection. |
| Hop | Injustice. |
| Hornbeam | Ornament. |
| Horse-Chesnut | Luxury. |
| Hortensia | You are cold. |
| Hyacinth | Game, Play. |
| Ice-plant | Your looks freeze me. |
| Ipomœa | I attach myself to you. |
| Iris | Message. |
| Ivy | Friendship. |
| Jasmine | Amiability. |
| —— Carolina | Separation. |
| Jonquil | Desire. |
| Juniper | Protection. |
| Larch | Boldness. |
| Larkspur | Lightness. |
| Laurel | Glory. |
| Laurustinus | I die if neglected. |
| Lavender | Mistrust. |
| Leaves, Dead | Sadness, Melancholy. |
| Lilac | First Emotions of Love. |
| —— White | Youth. |
| Lily | Majesty. |
| Lily of the Valley | Return of Happiness. |
| Linden-tree | Conjugal Love. |
| Liverwort | Confidence. |
| London Pride | Frivolity. |
| Lotus | Eloquence. |
| Lucern | Life. |
| Madder | Calumny. |
|
Maidenhair | Secrecy. |
| Mallow | Beneficence. |
| Manchineel-tree | Falsehood. |
| Maple | Reserve. |
| Mandrake | Rarity. |
| Marigold | Grief. |
| —— Prophetic | Prediction. |
| —— and Cypress | Despair. |
| Marvel of Peru | Timidity. |
| Meadow Saffron | My best days are past. |
| Mezereon | Coquetry. Desire to please. |
| Mignonette | Your qualities surpass your charms. |
| Milkwort | Hermitage. |
| Mistletoe | I surmount all difficulties. |
| Moonwort | Forgetfulness. |
| Moss | Maternal Love. |
| Mulberry-tree, Black | I shall not survive you. |
| —— White | Wisdom. |
| Musk-plant | Weakness. |
| Myrobalan | Privation. |
| Myrtle | Love. |
| Narcissus | Self Love. |
| Nettle | Cruelty. |
| Nightshade, Bitter-sweet | Truth. |
| —— Enchanter’s | Spell. |
| Nosegay | Gallantry. |
| Oak | Hospitality. |
| Olive | Peace. |
| Ophrys, Spider | Skill. |
| Orange Flower | Chastity. |
| —— Tree | Generosity. |
| Orchis, Bee | Error. |
| Palm | Victory. |
| Parsley | Festivity. |
| Passion Flower | Faith. |
| Peony | Shame, Bashfulness. |
| Peppermint | Warmth of Feeling. |
| Periwinkle | Tender Recollections. |
| Pineapple | You are perfect. |
| Pink | Pure Love. |
| —— Yellow | Disdain. |
| Plane-tree | Genius. |
| Plum-tree | Keep your promises. |
| —— Wild | Independence. |
| Poplar, black | Courage. |
| —— White | Time. |
| Poppy | Consolation. |
| —— | Sleep. |
| —— White | My bane, my antidote. |
| Potato | Beneficence. |
| Primrose | Childhood. |
| —— Evening | Inconstancy. |
| Privet | Prohibition. |
| Quince | Temptation. |
| Ranunculus | You are radiant with charms. |
| Reeds | Music. |
| Rose | Love. |
| —— 100-leaved | Grace. |
| —— Monthly | Beauty ever new. |
| —— Musk | Capricious Beauty. |
| —— Single | Simplicity. |
| —— White | Silence. |
| —— Withered | Fleeting Beauty. |
| —— Yellow | Infidelity. |
| Rosebud | A Young Girl. |
| —— White | A Heart unacquainted with Love. |
| Rosemary | Your presence revives me. |
| Rue, Wild | Morals. |
| Rush | Docility. |
| Saffron | Beware of excess. |
| Sage | Esteem. |
| Sainfoin, Shaking | Agitation. |
| St. John’s Wort | Superstition. |
| Sardonia | Irony. |
| Sensitive-plant | Chastity. |
| Snapdragon | Presumption. |
| Snowdrop | Hope. |
| Sorrel, Wood | Joy. |
| Speedwell | Fidelity. |
| Spindle-tree | Your charms are engraven on my heart. |
| Star of Bethlehem | Purity. |
| Stock | Lasting Beauty. |
| —— Ten Week | Promptness. |
| Stone Crop | Tranquillity. |
| Straw, Broken | Rupture of a Contract. |
| —— Whole | Union. |
| Strawberry | Perfection. |
| Sunflower | False Riches. |
| Sweet Sultan | Happiness. |
| Sweet William | Finesse. |
| Sycamore | Curiosity. |
| Syringa | Fraternal Love. |
| Tansy, Wild | I declare war against you. |
| Tendrils of Creepers | Ties. |
| Thistle | Surliness. |
| Thorn Apple | Deceitful Charms. |
| Thrift | Sympathy. |
| Thyme | Activity. |
| Tremella Nostoc | Resistance. |
| Truffle | Surprise. |
| Tuberose | Dangerous Pleasures. |
| Tulip | Declaration of Love. |
| Tussilage, Sweet-scented | Justice shall be done to you. |
| Valerian | An Accommodating Disposition. |
|
Valerian, Greek | Rupture. |
| Venus’ Looking-glass | Flattery. |
| Veronica | Fidelity. |
| Vervain | Enchantment. |
| Vine | Intoxication. |
| Violet | Modesty. |
| Violet, White | Innocence, Candour. |
| Wallflower | Fidelity in Misfortune. |
| Walnut | Stratagem. |
| Whortleberry | Treachery. |
| Willow, Weeping | Mourning. |
| Wormwood | Absence. |
| Yew | Sorrow. |
In the chapter on Magic Plants will be found a list of plants used by maidens and their lovers for the purposes of divination; and in Part II., under the respective headings of the plants thus alluded to, will be found described the several modes of divination. This practice of love divination, it will be seen, is not altogether unconnected with the symbolical meaning or language of flowers, and therefore it is here again adverted to.
In many countries it is customary to pluck off the petals of the Marigold, or some other flower of a similar nature, while certain words are repeated, for the purpose of divining the character of an individual. Göthe, in his tragedy of ‘Faust,’ has touched upon this rustic superstition, and makes Margaret pluck off the leaves of a flower, at the same time alternately repeating the words—“He loves me,”—“He loves me not.” On coming to the last leaf, she joyously exclaims—“He love me!”—and Faust says: “Let this flower pronounce the decree of heaven!”
“And with scarlet Poppies around, like a bower,