Hearth Sparks: Floriography and a Decorative Fireplace Screen

FLOWERS HAVE MEANINGS?

Flowers are used heavily in stained glass art. Mostly we just look at the flower and think, "that's pretty" and then our mind goes on to the next attraction. I was struck recently when looking online at a decorative fireplace screen covered with flowers that perhaps there was a deeper meaning behind what I was looking at and sure enough there is something called the "Language of Flowers" or Floriography. I started researching this very fascinating subject and then I couldn't stop myself from checking out what message each of the stained glass fireplace screens were conveying.

A LITTLE HISTORY

Gaining peak popularity in the 18th Century, the language of flowers was a much needed boon to Victorian-era strict society. There were so many rules of etiquette that expressing one's feelings out loud was bound to result in undesirable waves of gossip. Self taught writer, the Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, introduced to the English court the concept of exchanging flowers with meanings to express what couldn't be spoken aloud. This started a boom of lists and dictionaries and a whole shift in fashion and communication. During their daily outings in the parks, ladies would display a bouquet given to them by a secret admirer, or a relative. Some would fasten to their hats a nosegay of flowers to convey regrets or acceptance of a rendezvous. The choices and messages were unlimited.

There was a hazard tho, if you didn't have the same dictionary as your secret admirer, some of your choices could be very unwise!

SHORT BONUS POEM!

Here is a sweet poem commissioned by Edward W. Elgar in 1872, dedicated "to my sister Lucy on her birthday." This shows some of the meanings of the flowers. It also shows creativity we've lost in language (due to television and other visual social media).

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS

In Eastern lands they talk in flow'rs

And they tell in a garland their loves and cares;

Each blossom that blooms in their garden bowr's,

On its leaves a mystic language bears.

The rose is a sign of joy and love,

Young blushing love in its earliest dawn,

And the mildness that suits the gentle dove,

From the myrtle's snowy flow'rs is drawn.

Innocence gleams in the lily's bell,

Pure as the heart in its native heaven.

Fame's bright star and glory's swell

By the glossy leaf of the bay are given.

The silent, soft and humble heart,

In the violet's hidden sweetness breathes,

And the tender soul that cannot part,

In a twine of evergreen fondly wreathes.

The cypress that daily shades the grave,

Is sorrow that moans her bitter lot,

And faith that a thousand ills can brave,

Speaks in thy blue leaves "forget-me-not".

Then gather a wreath from the garden bowers,

And tell the wish of thy heart in flowers.

Forget Me Nots

ANYWAY...

Flowers have always been a girly sissy thing to me until I discovered the language of flowers and how to communicate subtle little digs and compliments! I would encourage you to spend some time using these online floriography lists and compare them to my decorative fireplace screens to get some practice on learning the language of flowers.