Contributing Writer
Valentine’s Day, as we know it, is a product of Victorian romance. The day brings thoughts of my grandmother. Born in 1880, Grandma was a true Victorian romantic. She loved poems pasted on lacy cards. A raised satin heart in the middle made it even better.
Those who watched the Masterpiece Theater series “Victoria” got a sense of those times. Like Queen Victoria, my grandmother married for love, not for family standing.
Immigrant issues are not unique to our time. My grandmother’s family proudly recalled their family’s involvement in the American Revolution.
Her decision to marry an Italian immigrant horrified her sisters. Her father redeemed her by giving her the family home, which still stands as a landmark in Almaden Valley.
Victorian romanticism was manifest in a little book titled “The Language of Flowers.” Flowers were the emojis of the 19th century. Each flower and various plants had a meaning. Women carried or wore small bouquets of herbs and flowers, which were carefully designed to convey messages.
Recall that bathing was done once a week at best, sometimes never throughout the winter. Refrigeration had not been invented, so foods were often preserved with odorous spices.
Oral hygiene was also minimal. A fragrant bouquet held near the nose or worn in the hair helped block odors while sending social signals.
The messages conveyed by most flowers elude us today, but I found an article about floriography in the “California Bountiful” magazine published by the California Farm Bureau. Floriography is the flower language stemming, so to speak, from the Victorian era.
As is commonly known, red roses represent passionate love and are in great demand on Valentine’s Day. Hot pink roses suggest romance. White ones indicate pure love, while yellow roses are for friendship. All this symbolism is set aside if your true love has a favorite colored rose.
White daisies have long been associated with innocence. Giving daisies in a bouquet, though, might mean, “You can count on me never to tell.”
Carnations carry a language all their own, generally meaning, “I am fascinated with you.” Red ones show admiration, while white ones represent innocent adoration. Pink suggests the recipient will always be remembered.
A striped carnation carries a cryptic message that means “I am sorry I cannot be with you,” but beware, as it also may imply “I never will!”
Tulips are a popular Valentine’s flower, possibly because of the play on the words, “two lips.” Also, they bloom in early spring.
As with red roses, red tulips mean a declaration of passionate love. Yellow tulips indicate, “Your smile is sunshine to me.” White tulips express the sender’s confidence, as in “I am worthy of you.”
Lilies communicate happiness and sweetness. Alstroemeria, of the lily family, expresses a hope for wealth and prosperity.
Snapdragons have a double meaning. A man can send them to say, “I think you are a gracious lady.” These wonders can also communicate deception. Maybe that comes from lightly pinching the flower to make it appear to gossip.
Adding pine greenery to a bouquet is a sign of consolation for someone in need of hope. This touch is nice for someone mourning the loss of a love. In a memorial gift, the evergreen implies everlasting life.
To send a message that says “Take care of yourself,” an azalea is perfect for Valentine’s Day. Also given for funerals, it can be planted as a lasting memory.
Mixed flower bouquets and potted plant arrangements can be offered in interesting vases and containers. Visit a local flower shop for specific plants or flowers, or leave it to the florist to design something special.
Janet Miller’s e-book, “Family Prayers and Activities: Weekly Guides,” is for families or prayer groups. Janet is the creator of “Friends on the Way,” an e-resource for churches to teach families about the Bible and discipleship. Find it at www.TeamRCIA.com.
