Flowers speak the language of love

From centuries, flowers especially Roses have been applied as powerful mean to pass on unique silent messages of love, appreciation and desire. Giving flowers on occasions of birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, or just to show hospitality is a universal practice from ancient times. Using flowers for decoration and for making garlands is also an age-old tradition.
In India, flower garlands are must for every religious festival; gods are decorated with garlands made from different fragrant flowers (often Marigold) and leaves. Associating flowers with different feelings is an ancient practice, which originated from folklore, religion and culture around the world. In Greek mythology, the white rose linked to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Many early cultures used red roses to decorate marriage ceremonies and they were often a part of traditional wedding attire. Through this practice, the red rose became known as a symbol for love and fidelity.
It is said that the natives of the Inca Empire worshipped a giant sunflower, and that Incan priestesses wore large sunflower disks made of gold on their garments. Images of sunflowers found in the temples of the Andes Mountains, and Native American Indians placed bowls of sunflower seeds on the graves of their dead.
During the 15th and 17th centuries in Persia flowers used to express feelings and sentiments. The legendary Rose of Iran and its exquisite fragrance have been admired from centuries. "The Persian rose and its extract Gool Ab (literal meaning 'rose water'. It also means the rose itself) has remained an integral part of Zoroastrian traditions and rituals. King Charles II brought roses to Sweden from Persia in the 17th century.
It is said that Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, wife of the English ambassador to Turkey, introduced the language of flowers to England in the early 1700s. On March 16, 1718, Lady Montagu wrote to a friend in England that the 'fair maidens of the East have lent a mute speech to flowers".
During 18 and 19 centuries, knowledge of flower language had considered stylish and sophisticated way of communication. At that time people used flowers and their arrangements as secret ways of conveying their messages. Coluor, size, buds or full blooms arrangements and number of flowers get specific meanings and symbols and several dictionaries published to elaborate their meanings. The first book written on flower symbolism in modern times was 'Le Language des Fleurs' by Madame Charlotte de la Tour in 1819. The most popular book on flower symbolism, which remains a well-known resource today, is Kate Greenaway's 'Language of Flowers' (1884).
An author illustrates a tradition of 19th centaury language of flower as "if a boy sent a girl a rosebud with the leaves and thorns still on it, it meant, "I fear, but I hope." If the rosebud was returned upside down, it meant 'you must neither fear nor hope." If the rosebud was returned with the thorns removed, the message was 'you have everything to hope for." If the thorns were left but the leaves removed, the message was "you have everything to fear." If the young woman kept the rosebud and placed it in her hair, it meant 'caution.' if she placed it over her heart, the message was clearly 'love."
No flower other than Rose gets high reputation for its beauty, style and fragrance. Roses are most favourite flowers on special joyous occasions. According to a report, Roses were first cultivated 5,000 years ago in Asian gardens. At that, time women carried rose petals in their purses and men made herbal medicine with the flowers. Rose petals used for decorative purpose in Indian and Pakistani festive cuisines. Confucius wrote that the emperor of China owned over 600 books on the cultivation of roses. Cleopatra filled a room with rose petals to a depth of 2 feet in eagerness of a visit from her lover Marc Antony.
Poets all over the world have been using beauty, elegance and romantic characteristic of roses in their poems from centuries. Shakespeare mentions the rose at least 70 times in his plays and sonnets: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" (Romeo and Juliet),
"Of all flowers, methinks a rose is best" (The Two Noble Kinsmen) and "When I have plucked the rose, I cannot give it vital growth again" (Othello). Jalal ud din Rumi says'...though rose petals have not been scattered...thy rose scented aura...tell me, what be the reason?
Meanings of flowers
Rose is a perfect choice for expressing the deepest emotions. Roses with its different bright colours represent feelings of love, passion, desire, grace, happiness, respect, secrecy, innocence and purity. When you give or receive flowers especially roses you should know that what their colours, arrangements and size stand for. Rose with its classic RED colour is a symbol of romance and love. To give someone red rose means, "I love you". Before presenting someone red rose it is good idea to know meanings of its different shades for example, Bright red means love, dark maroon means unconscious beauty, Lilac represents the first emotions of love. A withered red rose is used to show that the love is over. A fully bloom rose means "I love you still." A red rosebud symbolizes youthful love and beauty.
Dark Pink rose stands for "Thank You" appreciation and gratitude. Light pink means admiration, and sympathy. A Yellow rose with red tips indicates friendship falling in love. If you fallen in love at first sight then rare violet rose can speak for you. If you like to convey message to someone that your love is stronger than death then White rose should be your first choice. White rose signifies purity and innocence. It indicates spiritual and happy love. White rose convey the message "you are innocent". White rosebuds give the recipient message "too young to love". In Vietnam, white roses used on mother's day by those whose mother passed away.
Desire, enthusiasm and fascination are meanings of orange rose. The orange rose says, "I am proud of you!" Yellow rose conveys different messages and at times, it used to show jealousy. According to a writer these days yellow roses signify fun, friendship and freedom to embrace a new beginning, apologise or express sympathy, to say, "remember me" , "I am sorry', or "I care."
Tulips are next only to roses representing love and romance. Tulips grown in Persia and brought to Netherland during the 17th century. Tulips are symbolic of fame and perfect love. The symbolic meanings also change with the colour of the tulips. Red tulips mean, "believe me" and are a declaration of true love. Cream-coloured tulips give the receiver message that "I will love you forever." White tulips are symbols of purity; purple tulips mean royalty, pink tulips mean affection and orange tulips represent enthusiasm. White carnations suggest pure love and good luck, light red symbolizes admiration, while dark red represents deep love and affection.
Combinations of flowers A mix bouquet of yellow and pink roses mean "friendship" while the combination of red and pink roses gives the receiver message of strong romance and passion. A bunch of red and white roses convey message of unanimity and strong relationship. Red and yellow rose's bouquets signify faithfulness and joyous feelings. A bouquet of red, orange and white roses means "pure depth of love". White and coral flowers convey message "you are heavenly and I desire you".
Number and arrangement of flower The number of flowers also has a special meaning. A single red rose shows love, two roses ribbon together to form a single stem represent a promise, an engagement or coming marriage. Six roses mean I miss you. Seven roses signify fascination. A dozen shows thankfulness. Eighteen roses mean, "I am sorry". Twenty-five shows congratulations and fifty-show unconditional love.
To convey your message knot the ribbon on the left of the flower and knot the ribbon on right side to send message about the receiver. To receive from right hand means acceptance while with left hand means disagreement. So this month surprise someone with the bunch of bright flowers without saying a word because flowers speak the language of love.