Nosegay

The language of colors

Floral symbolism originated in Asia and the Middle East, where certain flowers, such as the lotus, were considered sacred or at least associated with spiritual themes. This was often reflected in works of art, such as the use of bamboo in Chinese art to signify longevity and eternity. The language of flowers was introduced to England in the early 18th century by Mary Wortley, Lady Montague, whose husband was ambassador to Turkey. Small bouquets or "tussie-mussies" might include chamomile flowers, which a woman might send to a romantic interest to tell him "patience"; goldenseal represented indecision.

The meaning given to certain colors in Western culture varied - almost every flower had several associations listed in hundreds of floral dictionaries - but a consensus on the meaning of common colors emerged. Often definitions are derived from the appearance or behavior of the plant itself. For example, the mimosa, or sensitive plant, represents chastity. This is because the mimosa leaves close up at night or when touched. Similarly, the dark red rose and its thorns have been used to symbolize both the blood of Christ and the power of romantic love, while the five petals of the rose are believed to illustrate the five crucifixion wounds of Christ. Pink roses imply lesser affection, white roses imply virtue and chastity, and yellow roses imply friendship or loyalty. The black rose (in nature a very dark shade of red, purple or maroon, or can be dyed) can be associated with death and darkness because of the traditional (western) connotations of this shade.

"The woman also had to be pretty precise about where she carried the flowers to. For example, the groom sent her a tussie-mussie (aka bouquet). If she was attaching him to her "bosom bed," it was bad news for him, as it meant friendship. Ah, but if she pinned it to her heart, 'twas an unequivocal declaration of love"". Details such as the arrangement of flowers and their buds were very important and carried different messages.

The action of giving flowers served as a tacit answer to the question. If flowers were given with the right hand, it meant the answer to the question was yes, if flowers were given with the left hand, it meant no. Important details, such as which side the bow was tied on, determined whether the message referred to the person giving the flowers or the person receiving them.

References

References

1. (May 14, 2008). "Head Garlands and Nosegays". Yankee Peddler Festival.
2. Felbinger, Elaine. (May–June 2005). "Tussie Mussies". huntingtonbotanical.org.
3. (December 25, 2010). "Word of the Day: nosegay". [[Merriam-Webster Online]].
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5. (1993). "Tussie-Mussies, the Victorian Art of Expressing Yourself in the Language of Flowers". Workman Publishing.
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7. "How to Make A Tussie-Mussie". www.wholeheartedeats.com.
8. "Thyme Was Once Used To Fend Off The Black Death". www.tastingtable.com.
9. "The Language of Flowers: Crafting Your Own Tussie-Mussie Bouquet". www.amarilisflowers.ca.
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11. "Rare letter by Mary Wortley Montagu, pioneering travel writer, up for sale". www.theguardian.com.
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13. "About us".
14. "A Guide to Flower Symbolism in Middle Eastern Culture".
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16. Brooks, Mary. "Silent Needles, Speaking Flowers: The Language of Flowers as a Tool for Communication in Women’s Embroidery in Victorian Britain".
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20. "The Meaning of Black Roses".
21. "What does your Tussie-Mussie have to say?". [[Prince Albert Daily Herald]].
22. "The Meaning of Victorian Flower Messages".