Keeping the Tradition Alive
Today the emphasis on the language of flowers has lost its lustre in popular culture, but they continue to be appreciated for their beauty and, when given as a gift, for their generosity and thought.
Flowers still have symbolic significance today, even if we’re not as obsessed with the intricacies of flower etiquette as the Victorians. We give red roses to our loved ones on Valentine’s Day, we wear poppies to commemorate Remembrance Day and we send wreaths as tributes to those who have passed away.
Christopher Weddell, Senior Gardens Advisor at English Heritage, adds that:
‘People – especially the Victorians – have attributed different symbolic meanings to flowers for thousands of years, but today the deeper and more complex language of flowers is all but lost. We want to help keep this tradition alive and bring back the language of flowers. Who knows? You could also avoid offending the very object of your affection’.
So why not have a go at making your own bouquet using our historical examples? We'd love to see your creations - you can share your flowers with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using the tag @EnglishHeritage
