Flowers are often a top choice when it comes to giving someone we love or care about a gift. Your mother on mother’s day, your partner just to say they love you, to show you care or are thinking of someone, and even as congratulations. Flowers can say and convey so many messages and emotions, which is why so many people not only love to give flowers but also receive them. But, like with many things, there is a history as to why flowers have now become an iconic gift. So let’s explore that in more detail.
Going back in history
There are histories and myths that date back to ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt that suggest that flowers have always been part of socialisation and conveying some form of emotion. Not only that but there are references in Greek mythology that suggests flowers were seen as symbols of the gods and goddesses they worshiped and looked up to. As history progressed you found that in the middle Ages, the English and French were keen to keep up with the tradition of flowers as gifts. Showing symbols of love and affection, as well as gifts of compassion.
Meanings and symbolism of flowers
It was developed in Europe, and seen for the first time in Turkey around the middle ages that flowers would be given meanings. Many of us associate certain flowers with certain occasions and emotions that we feel, and this started back then. Roses traditionally mean love, lilies can often be given as a symbol of sorrow and grief. Carnations can also mean love and repsect. The Victorians were the ones that really took gifting flowers to another level. It was actually deemed as bad manners to express your feelings in words, and instead, encouraged to do with flowers. However, the way you expressed your emotions could often be done through the symbolism of the gift-giving of flowers. For example, a bouquet of roses handed to someone upright means love, but handed to someone upside down meant anger. The Victorians took this very seriously.
Why has the art of gifting flowers evolved over the years?
Even though the practice of giving flowers has been around for centuries, it is as important today as it ever has been before. Symbols and meanings have changed over the years, but in today’s society, we still associate certain flowers, delivered and gifted in a certain way to convey a specific emotion, feeling, and image. Traditionally, we use flowers not just to express emotions but also as symbols for weddings and special occasions. The reasons and symbols behind flowers have evolved much deeper than perhaps they had been in the Victorian period. Instead of a flower having one meaning, colours play an important role as well. For example, red carnations are to mean deep love, whereas white carnations can mean true love. Yellow carnations can be a symbol of sadness and even depression.
Flowers are something that we all turn to when it comes to finding the ideal gift for someone we love or care about, but understanding the history and the symbolism behind it may help you to make even better choices when it comes to your bouquets in the future.
