Learn a new language: Floriography

An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers

by Jessica Roux

So, now we have social media and everything is always out there. But, long before our time, people found their own unique ways to communicate. One of these was via the message of flowers. For those who yearn for a more peaceful time or who would just like to have a bit of fun, this title offers a perfect guide.

Readers learn that this practice began in 1819. From there, it became quite popular as a (clandestine) form of communication. The author notes that, although floriography has not been so popular since WWI, remnants remain. Two of the given examples were that roses still signify love while lilies are often used in mourning.

This book includes numerous gorgeous illustrations. The text offers “definitions” of what each symbolizes.

I enjoyed this title. It can be viewed as a general guide to flower identification or as a way to think about communication.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.