The Language of Flowers
The language of flowers, known as “Floriography,” a term coined in the Victorian era, is an age old art form. King Charles II brought it to Sweden from Persia in the 17 th century. The Japanese call it “Hanakotoba.” So what is floriography? Quite simply, it is the association of certain flowers with specific meanings. Flowers are infused with symbolism through their rich mythology and distinctive characteristics. Let’s look at some flowers that may be familiar to you. Alstroemerias resemble miniature lilies and are often called Peruvian Lily or Lily of the Incas. This well known flower is found in a beautiful range of colors and is popular as a cut flower in bouquets. The alstroemeria symbolizes friendship and devotion because the leaves grow upside down and twist as they grow out from the stem, so that the bottom is facing upwards, much like the growth of our friendships. In general, this flower is relatively inexpensive to purchase when co