In the Middle Ages, the Mandrake was a magical plant which was reputed to shine like a candle at night and thrive particularly well near the gallows. When pulled from the earth, it uttered uncanny shrieks, and according to Shakespeare “living mortals hearing them ran mad.”
Two centuries ago it was believed that every plant, as well as every human being, was under the influence of some particular planet. The plants over which Saturn claimed an ascendency were characterized by ill-favoured leaves, ugly flowers and repellent odours. On the other hand the plants of Jupiter displayed smooth leaves and graceful, fragrant flowers. Today we believe that all plants belong to only one planet, and that is the planet earth.
In the minds of agricultural folk, the moon has always had great influence over vegetation. There are many rules still extant regarding the proper time of that satellite’s phases in which to plant, reap and perform a hundred other rustic acts. A medieval superstition stated that when the moon was on the increase it imparted healing and medicinal qualities to all herbs. During its decline, the same plants generated poisons.
The mystic qualities of the flowers have been responsible for their extensive ceremonial use throughout all history. Man attempts to express all his more subtle emotions by their sweetness and purity. He carries them alike to christenings, weddings and funerals, and invariably sends them to his best girl. It is recorded that a certain eastern king of antiquity was in the habit of offering a hundred thousand flowers each day before the idol of a favourite god.
Flowers are still extensively used as signs and symbols. There are ponderous volumes written on the “Language of Flowers.” All the garden beauties have a natural symbolism written on their faces. Rosemary, with its lingering colour, is an eternal emblem of remembrance. “Violets dim but sweeter than the lids of Juno’s eyes or Cytherea’s breath” speak of modesty in quiet tones. The spotless Lily must always stand for purity.
Other floral symbols have been chosen for more remote but quite apparent characteristics. Impatience is indicated by the Balsam seed-pods, which, when ripe, curl up at the slightest touch, and shoot forth their seeds with great violence. A popular name for the plant is “Touch-Me-Not.” The very name of Heliotrope tells of its constant turning toward the sun. It is often referred to as a symbol of devoted attachment. Aspen, because of its tremulous motion has been made a sign of fear. When people think of the Poppy and its narcotic product, they likewise think of sleep and oblivion. A less apparent symbol is found in the Wild Anemone, which is taken to denote brevity because its frail petals are soon scattered by the boisterous wind. The Snow-Drop, first flower of spring, peeping from its immaculate snow bank, is an unmistakable emblem of purity.
The ancients were very liberal users of floral tokens; the Chinese, Assyrians and Egyptians had many identical beliefs on the subject. The Olive was and still is the universal badge of peace. Laurel was the classic sign of renown with which the brows of prominent athletes and statesmen were crowned. The Cypress was often an index of mourning. The Rose and the Myrtle, having been dedicated to Venus, were insignias of love. The Palm was a wide-spread representation of victory. Bible students will recall that Palms were scattered before Jesus Christ on the occasion of his triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
In their enthusiasm, flower-lovers have sometimes allowed their imagination to carry them into unnatural and artificial symbolism. It is not difficult to associate the White Lily with purity but when we are told that the Flowering Almond represents hope, the Common Almond indiscretion and stupidity, and the Floral Almond perfidity, one is reduced to looking up this curious code in an indexed book. When each variety of the Rose family has different and fluctuating significance, a swain hesitates to summon the floral language of love to his aid.
Many people believe that peculiar mystic attachments exist between certain birds and flowers. The Persians claim that whenever a Rose is plucked, the nightingale utters a plaintive cry as if to protest against the wounding of the object of its love. Many other birds show marked affection for various plants.
In the same manner, almost every man and woman has his or her favourite flower. Certain persons of a temperamental type are often emotionally affected by the presence of flowers with which they appear to have a mysterious psychic connection. Certain people claim to be able to discern such marked similiarity between human beings and various flower affinities that they undertake to liken various prominent people to different blossoms. There is much chance for scientific investigation in this field. With Perdita we at least know that “flowers of middle summer should be given to men of middle age, but for our young prince we want flowers of the spring that may become his time of day.”