Flowers convey meaning. Red Roses are associated with romantic love, Lilies are often used at funerals, and poinsettias are often found in winter holiday celebrations. The idea of using flowers to have meaning dates back to the Egyptians, who used flowers in their hieroglyphics, and remains of roses have been found in their tombs. Since ancient times, people in China, Korea, and Japan have used and cultivated flowers for their symbolic reference. In Japan, Hanakotoba is the ancient art of assigning meanings to flowers. In Japanese culture, flowers and their meanings communicate emotions without using words. Flowers are arranged to represent three points: the earth, moon and sun.
Floriography or the western language of flowers, is often associated with the Victorian era, but there is no evidence that the Victorians exchanged flowers for this purpose; it could have been an artist's fabrication found in books, almanacs, and Calendars.
It is thought that Victorian Floriography is thought to have originated from Lady Mary Wortley Montaguy, the wife of the ambassador to Turkey, who wrote about her time in Turkey and how she was charmed by the idea of the Turkish selam a custom where women would gift each other objects that had hidden meanings.
Regardless of origin, flowers are the messengers of the heart, and thinking of flowers and their sentiment can be very fun! Next time you gift flowers, make a meaningful posy and let the flowers do the talking. Here are a couple of posy ideas for you to try:
Birthday Wishes:
- Calla Lily - long life
- Hardy Geranium - wishes come true
- Lavender- Luck Happiness
- Basil - Best Wishes
- Cosmos - simple Pleasures
Apology Posy:
- Hyacinth - Forgiveness
- Bluebell- Humility
- Peony-Bashfulness
- Olive Branch- to ask for peace
Housewarming Posy:
- Comfrey- Home Sweet Home
- Euphorbia- Welcome
- Lavender - Luck Happiness
- Yellow Rose - Congratulations friendship
- Juniper - Protection
New Beginnings Posy
- Crocus - Glee
- Daisy - Innocence and purity
- Lilac - for first love
- Baby’s Breath- for purity and innocence
Sympathy Posy
- White Rose - Love respect
- Forget-Me-Nots - Remembrance
- Yarrow - Cure for heartache
- Lambs Ear - Softness Support
- Sweet Pea - Departure
Thankful Posy
- Dahlia - Gratitude
- Alstromeria - Friendship
- Chrysantehmum- Cheerfulness
- Mint- Warmth of feeling
- Safflower - Welcome
For balanced posies, aim for even color, varied textures, and equal proportions of each flower. In floral design, flowers are classified as focal, complementary, and line flowers. Focal flowers create the posy’s shape, complementary flowers fill gaps, line flowers (tall, slender-stemmed) add structure, and foliage forms a collar around the edge. Start with one focal flower at the center as your pivot. Working outwards, add complementary and line flowers, evenly dispersing materials throughout. Once shaped to your liking, tie the bunch with ribbon or floral tape to secure. Include a card listing the sentiments of your blooms, a beautiful, touching gift anyone will enjoy.
