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the sun sets on an old dawn, remind yourself of what made you feel happy today :)

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<strong>Le Blanc <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bou5zou57ki1208yasu/">by Kay Harpa</a></strong> <br /><i>Via Flickr:</i> <br />Au Bon Marché

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Floriography: Exploring the Victorian meaning of flowers

Photo: Stock Photos from gdefilip/Shutterstock

Today, if we want to supplement our text and social media with a more visual element, we search for the right emoji; but in the 19th century, Victorians would’ve used flowers. In fact, due to the severe restrictions of Victorian society, an entire language in flowers was developed so that senders could express feelings and emotions through colourful coded messages. Consequently, Victorians carried floral dictionaries to decipher received bouquets and to compose their replies. Armed with the right knowledge, you too can send secret messages through beautiful bouquets.  

ANEMONE

Stock Photos from nnattalli/Shutterstock

In art history, anemones were favourite flowers of Impressionist painters, like Monet. To Victorians, anemones carried dark undertones and meant forsaken.

ASTER

Stock Photos from sasimoto/Shutterstock

The name aster comes from the Ancient Greek word for “star,” and this flower is recognised for its unique star-shaped head. To Victorians, the aster flower represented daintiness.

CAMELLIA

Stock Photos from rainsoop/Shutterstock

As a 19th-century favourite, each colour of camellia had a purpose.

Red camellias meant you’re a flame in my heart. 

White camellias meant you’re adorable.

Pink camellias meant longing for you.

CARNATION

Stock Photos from Dimitrios/Shutterstock

The scientific name of the carnation is dianthus, which derives from the Greek words “dios” (genitive of “Zeus”) and “anthos” (meaning “flower”). They are therefore referred to as the “flower of Zeus.” Each colour of carnation carried different meanings to Victorians:

Red carnations symbolised admiration.

White carnations symbolised purity.

Purple carnations symbolised capriciousness.

Pink carnations symbolised gratitude.

Yellow carnations symbolised rejection.

CHRYSANTHEMUM

Stock Photos from Marinka Buronka/Shutterstock

In Victorian culture, chrysanthemums meant you’re a wonderful friend.

DAFFODIL

Stock Photos from Lesenok18/Shutterstock

The Latin name for daffodil is narcissus, based on the tragic myth of the beautiful Greek hero who fell in love with his reflection. But in Victorian times, this flower meant chivalry and unrequited love.

DAISY

Stock Photos from Flower_Garden/Shutterstock

One of the cheeriest flowers in the field, the daisy very fittingly meant innocence and hope.

GARDENIA

Stock Photos from photokai/Shutterstock

To Victorians, gardenias were as romantic as they looked and meant secret love.

IRIS

Stock Photos from Pavlo Baliukh/Shutterstock

Like its Greek meaning of “rainbow,” the iris carried different meanings to Victorians depending on the colour and quantity. A bouquet of blue irises symbolised hope and faith, while a purple iris meant wisdom.

LILAC

Stock Photos from Sisika/Shutterstock

Victorian widows were often seen wearing lilacs, as they were meant to be reminders of an old love.

Lilacs have a deep rooted history originating in ancient Greek mythology. It was said that Pan, the god of forests and fields was hopelessly in love with a nymph named Syringa. One day he was pursuing her through a forest and, afraid of his advances, she turned herself into a lilac shrub to disguise herself. To Pan’s surprise, he could not find Syringa, but he did find the shrub. Because a lilac shrub consists of hollow reeds, he cut the reeds and created the first pan pipe. The scientific name for lilac is Syringa vulgaris, and the name is derived from the Greek word “syrinks” which means pipe.

The common name, lilac, was borrowed from the French and Spanish word of the same name. Similarly, the Arabic word for this flower is “lilak”. The word lilac refers to the light purple colour of its flowers.

The meaning of the lilac flower has diversified throughout the ages. Lilacs originated in Southeastern Europe and are a popular part of the Mediterranean culture. They are frequently associated with the Easter holiday, which occurs during the peak of its bloom time.

Lilac meanings vary throughout different cultures and time periods.

The Celtics regarded the lilac as “magical” due to their incredibly intoxicating fragrance.

During the Victorian Age, the giving of a lilac was meant to be a reminder of an old love. In fact, widows were often seen wearing lilacs during this period.

In Russia, holding a sprig of lilac over the newborn would bring wisdom.

In the United States, the lilac is the official state flower of New Hampshire and represents the ‘hardy’ nature of its people.

Lilacs have been a source of inspiration for artists throughout history. Impressionists Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet both have famous works depicting the beauty of lilacs in their paintings. American poet Walt Whitman, uses the lilac in his famous poem, “When Lilacs Last in the Door-yard Bloom’d”, as a symbol of life after death in a narrative depicting Abraham Lincoln’s last days

The lilac is the official flower of a couple’s 8th wedding anniversary.

Lilacs have one of the shortest bloom times and only flower for three weeks at the beginning of spring.

Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson had an affinity for lilacs and grew them in their gardens.

Lilacs belong to the same family as the olive tree.

Because lilacs have one of the earliest bloom times, they symbolise spring and renewal. Lilacs also symbolise confidence, which makes them a traditionally popular gift for graduates. There are many meanings that lilacs have that can best be classified by colour.

White lilacs symbolise purity and innocence.

Violet lilacs symbolise spirituality.

Blue lilacs symbolise happiness and tranquillity.

Magenta lilacs symbolise love and passion.

Lilac, the colour for which this flower is named, is a light purple that symbolises a first love

ORCHID

Stock Photos from svf74/Shutterstock

Although Victorians were passionate flower collectors, during the 19th century, orchids were extremely hard to find in England, thus implying that orchid owners were of remarkable wealth and good taste. Giving an orchid expressed deep love and passion.

PANSY

Stock Photos from wanchalerm_Thailand/Shutterstock

Originally deriving from the French word “pensée,” the pansy flower symbolised thoughtfulness.

PEONY

Stock Photos from Serhii Brovko/Shutterstock

In China, peonies are considered to be the “king of flowers.” The Victorians used peonies to express prosperity and happy marriage.

ROSE

Stock Photos from MarinaD_37/Shutterstock

Today, red roses are the go-to for Valentine’s Day lovers. According to the Victorian language of flowers, each colour of rose had a different meaning:

Red roses meant I love you.

White roses meant charm or innocence.

Pink roses meant perfect happiness.

Yellow roses meant jealousy.

SNAPDRAGON

Stock Photos from EllSan/Shutterstock

One of the most peculiar species of flower, the snapdragon, has a complicated place in Victorian culture. It was regarded as a symbol for both deception and graciousness, but if a snapdragon was sent to someone with a hyacinth (known for truth), then it meant that the giver was sorry for their mistakes.

SUNFLOWER

Stock Photos from Lillac/Shutterstock

Vincent van Gogh famously painted twelve canvases of sunflowers, seven of which he used to decorate his home in Arles.  Although Van Gogh was drawn to their bright colours, in Victorian culture, a tall sunflower meant false riches, and a small one expressed adoration.

TULIP

Stock Photos from stocksuwat/Shutterstock

Looking at the happy tulip, one can’t help but think of the Netherlands and their famous “tulip mania,” during which the bulbs became so popular they were used as currency. Victorians had a very different interpretation of the flower, as to them it symbolised charity.

VERBENA

Stock Photos from Kenya R/Shutterstock

Verbena is a flower with many religious connotations, having the nicknames of Holy Herb, Herb of the Cross, and Devil’s Bane. The Victorian meaning of verbena was of a similar vein: pray for me.

VIOLET

Stock Photos from Predrag Lukic/Shutterstock

The delicate violet meant faithfulness and modesty.

YARROW

Stock Photos from Mr. Meijer/Shutterstock

Typically recognised as the sidekick in a larger bouquet, yarrow flowers were a symbol for healing.

ZINNIA

Stock Photos from Vladimir Dokovski/Shutterstock

One of the brightest blooms in the garden, zinnia flowers are easy to grow and long-lasting. Likewise, Victorians believed zinnias symbolised thoughts of an absent friend.

sources https://mymodernmet.com and https://www.ftd.com/blog/share/lilac-meaning-and-symbolism

Wonderful!  Thank you so much!😊❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[grenadierfifer]

“Dorian? He is arrogant. He preens himself. But you already know that. He doesn’t even hide it.” 

- Blackwall on Dorian Pavus

First batch of my newest Dorian cosplay photos taken by PhotoKay. 

I haven’t taken out this cosplay in two years... but both the character and the cosplay are still very close to me even tho I’ve spent most of the time wearing my Tevinter version which is way more comfy hah!

With the very fresh news about DA4, I’m now even more hyped! 

[a-republican-mind]

Grace Kelly por Kay Harpa Por Flickr: rue Lecourbe PARIS 15

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lifes a beach, keep living 🏖️

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peeking through the outlet

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i might dump some photos i have from New York City’s “highline!”

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blooming flowers :)

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take a hike buster!

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times square more like dividing circle!

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two photos :)

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central park, new york ny. 📍

taken from a castle :)

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a portmanteau, land and sea join at once to form a pier.

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vortex

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birds chirping during golden hour, but are they real?