Lunagirl Images THE VICTORIAN LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS and Language of Fans

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The Victorian Language of Flowers & Fans

(Purchase all these flowers and hundreds more in Lunagirl's Victorian Flowers & Birds collection!)

During the Victorian era, flowers and pictures of flowers spoke a language all their own. Blossoms, buds, and herbal bouquets were sent to friends and lovers not only for their beauty and fragrance, but also to convey messages -- sometimes messages that the sender dared not speak in words.

Here are some of the meanings listed in "flower dictionaries"

Red Rose ~ Love, Passion
Pink Rose ~ Admiration
White Rose ~ Innocence, Purity, Humility
Yellow Rose ~ Platonic Love
Pansies ~ Thoughts of You, Thoughtfulness
Violets ~ Modesty
Forget-me-nots ~ Remember me, Faithfullness
Iris ~ A Message
Purple Lilac ~ First emotions of love
Daisies ~ Innocence, I share your sentiments
Wild Daisy ~ I will think of it.
Cyclamen ~ Shyness

Red Carnation ~ Alas for my poor heart
Red Camellia ~ Unpretending Excellence
Jasmine ~ Amiability, Friendship
Lily of the Valley ~ Return of Happiness
Day Lily ~ Coquetry, Flirtation
Red Poppies ~ Consolation
Dead leaves ~ Melancholy
Rosemary ~ Remembrance
Cedar ~ Strength
Sweet Basil ~ Best Wishes
Ivy ~ Fidelity, Marriage
Zinnia ~ Thoughts of absent friends

A flower presented upside down would have the opposite meaning.
A ribbon tied on the left meant the quality referred to the giver; tied to the right, it referred to the recipient. Flowers in combination could convey complicated sentiments!

At parties, sometimes the hostess would decorate with assortments of flowers and plants, from which the guests would select those that expressed their thoughts and feelings.
Use the beautiful flower images from our Victorian CD (or real flowers and herbs!) to send symbolic messages and greetings!

Lovers of flowers will please note our Victorian Flowers & Birds on CD, featuring 1,000 images of Victorian roses & other flowers, trees & leaves, and a fine collection of beautiful birds of all kinds.

Victorian die cut fan with pansies

THE LANGUAGE OF FANS

Decorated Victorian vintage fan

A Victorian lady's fan could speak volumes as well, especially in a society in which certain sentiments were not properly spoken aloud between unmarried young men and women. According to the Young Ladies Journal in 1872:

Fanning fast means I am independent.
Fanning slow means I am engaged.
Fan with right hand in front of face means Come closer, continue.
Fan with left hand in front of face means Leave me.
Fan open and shut ~ Kiss me!
Fan half open ~ Friendship
Fan twirling in right hand ~ I am watching you.
Resting fan on the right cheek means Yes.
Placing the fan behind your head means Don't forget me.
A fan drawn slowly across the cheek means ... I Love You.

Victorian Edwardian French postcard lady

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