When we look into the past, we see many aspects. We see many different histories and cultures, and norms. While some things are definitely better left behind, others, I believe, we could bring into the modern day. For example, many people still look fondly on the fashion and architecture of eras gone by. Flower Language is a great example of this. It would benefit many people, mostly by improving mental health.
The official term for this language of flowers is Floriography. While it is most known from England throughout the Victorian era, its roots actually date back to the 15th century in Turkey and Persia. It was used by many cultures throughout history, including Ancient Greece and the Ottoman Empire. It was finally introduced to England in 1717 by an Englishwoman named Mary Wortley Montagu. The main idea of this language is that you choose specific flowers that represent different feelings and give them to another person. This could be anything from one flower to an entire bouquet. The symbolism behind each chosen flower was usually found in a Floriography Dictionary. The individual who received the flowers would then look up the meanings and know exactly what feelings are being expressed.
But why would this benefit people now? This lost language was very unique and useful in the fact that you didn’t have to say it out loud. It made it easier to communicate when you don’t know the right words to say. It’s essential to your mental well-being that you accurately express your emotions, and floriography can be a great way to do so. Studies have shown that suppressing emotions increases aggression and risk of mental illness (Psychology Today). For example, participants were asked to write about a time when they were angry and whether they became aggressive. These were analyzed along with specific cognitions, and it was found that “the habit of suppressing emotions may generate internal tensions that lack a healthy outlet, thereby increasing the risk for externalized behaviors like aggression” (DiBlasi et al., 2024). Floriography can help prevent this because its whole point is to serve as an outlet for expressing emotion. With so many flowers all with different meanings, there is the perfect flower bouquet for every message. Pink and peach-colored roses symbolize appreciation, while Marigolds and Chrysanthemums can symbolize grief. You can express happiness, gratitude, love, excitement, and even more negative feelings, such as sympathy, anger, fear, and anxiety. All emotions can be beautiful and deserve to be expressed. Especially through something as beautiful as flowers.
Simply the act of giving flowers as a gift more often can have a huge impact on people, no matter where they’re from. A friend, a sibling, a parent, or even a stranger. Small gestures like this can mean a lot to the receiver, making them feel more appreciated and loved overall. I asked Emily Curiel, a student here at Quartz Hill High School, when she last received flowers. “Oh my goodness, we’re going way back. My Quinceañera, so my last birthday.¨ I asked whether or not they really meant something to her, and she said ¨Yes, and they were beautiful.¨ This means that they made her happy. And we should be striving to bring as much beauty and happiness to this world as we can. These little things add up, and if floriography were to make a large-scale comeback, people would have a greater sense of both community and individual wellness. This is essential because scientists have found that being part of a community is key to positive mental health and to boosting mental resilience during difficult times (CNS Healthcare). Community would be built through this practice because not only are you building individual relationships by giving gifts, but you’re also learning a shared language. You’re taking part in what would be the ‘new’ culture. So the next time you want to give a gift or share your feelings, find the right flowers and make this world a better place.
Sources:
https://www.proflowers.com/blog/floriography-language-flowers-victorian-era
https://thursd.com/articles/floriography-the-language-of-flowers#:~:text=Although%20it%20predates%20the%20Victorian,were%20taboo%20or%20socially%20unacceptable.
https://www.cnshealthcare.org/the-powerful-link-between-community-and-mental-health
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-truth-about-exercise-addiction/202212/suppressing-emotions-can-harm-you-heres-what-to-do
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15509284/
