As Valentine’s Day approaches, the air becomes infused with the sweet scent of romance, and the exchange of flowers as tokens of love and affection. But did you know that flowers have been associated with expressing love since ancient times?! Let’s take a look at some of the rich cultural histories surrounding flowers!
Flowers of love in Ancient Greek Times
In the ancient tales of Greece, the goddess of love, Aphrodite, reigns supreme. Legend has it that roses first bloomed from the seafoam that surrounded her birth. The rose became synonymous with her beauty and passion, embodying the essence of love itself. Furthermore, her mischievous son Eros, also known as Cupid, was often depicted carrying a bow adorned with roses, symbolizing the power of love to pierce the heart like an arrow.
Other flowers also held significance in Greek mythology, for instance, the myrtle, sacred to Aphrodite, was believed to symbolize marital happiness and eternal love.
Flowers of love in Victorian Era
Again, the rose reigned supreme!
During the Victorian Era in Europe, floriography, the language of flowers as a means of communication, was very popular among the upper class. People used flowers to express sentiments and emotions discreetly, which was in line with the era’s emphasis on propriety and restraint. They meticulously used flowers to convey messages through color, size, shape, and condition.
Gifting nosegays, originally a small bunch of sweet-scented flowers, became very fashionable, as the type of flower carried a deeper symbolic meaning, for instance roses symbolized love, lilies represented purity, and violets signified faithfulness.
Flowers of love in the Arab culture
In the Arab culture roses became the timeless symbol of love. Waraq al-ward, meaning the leaves of roses, was a deeply rooted tradition and served as a language of communication between lovers to express love and longing. But why the rose?
For Arabs the rose was not just a beautiful flower; it represented love with all its complexities. Its velvety petals spoke of passion and tenderness, while its sharp thorns hinted at the challenges and heartaches that often come with it.
Also, the color of the roses bouquet conveyed a significant type of love, for instance red rosebuds symbolized budding love, while white roses represented purity and devotion.
Also read: How to Plan for The Perfect Valentine’s Day?
Flowers of love in China and Japan
Unlike the Arabs, China and Japan used different types of flowers to express love and passion.
In China, the peony symbolized prosperity and romance, while in Japan, the cherry blossom represented the transient beauty of life and love. Each bloom carried with it a unique significance, weaving a tapestry of romance that transcends borders and spans the ages.
Each culture painted a unique portrait of love and passion through the language of flowers. But what about you? Which type of flower would you use to express your love?
