A Brief Study of Floriography, in particular, Sweet William
- Louisa Austin
- Feb 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 17
In the Victorian era, floriography, or the language of flowers, was a nuanced method of communication, allowing individuals to convey sentiments that societal norms often suppressed. This practice assigned specific meanings to various flowers, enabling the exchange of complex messages through floral arrangements.
Origins and Cultural Significance:
The fascination with floriography in Victorian England is believed to have been influenced by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, who, in the early 18th century, wrote about a Turkish practice of communicating through objects, including flowers. Her letters sparked interest in symbolic meanings attributed to flowers, leading to the development of floral dictionaries that detailed these associations.
Cultural Practices:
Victorians often exchanged small bouquets known as tussie-mussies or nosegays, which were carefully arranged to convey specific messages. The manner in which these bouquets were presented also held significance; for instance, offering a bouquet with the right hand was interpreted as a positive message, while the left hand conveyed a negative sentiment.
This intricate floral vocabulary provided a discreet means for individuals to express emotions and intentions, reflecting the era's complex social etiquettes and the human desire for connection beyond spoken words. Flowers were used to convey:
Secret Messages – Victorians used flowers to convey sentiments that were often too improper or bold to express aloud. Each flower had a meaning, and the combination of blooms could create entire sentences or sentiments.
Romantic Symbolism – Red roses symbolized deep love, while white roses meant purity. Yellow roses could indicate jealousy or friendship, depending on context.
Floral Apologies & Rejections – A striped carnation meant “I cannot be with you,” while a yellow carnation signified disappointment or rejection.
Tussie-Mussies – As stated above, these small bouquets, called tussie-mussies, were often carried or given as gifts, with carefully chosen flowers sending a specific message.
Herbal Meanings – Even herbs had significance! Rosemary stood for remembrance, thyme for courage, and basil for good wishes.
Floriography Books – Victorian etiquette books included guides on floriography, helping individuals craft the perfect floral message.
Flower Placement Mattered – How a bouquet was handed to someone was as important as the flowers themselves. If given upside down, the meaning was reversed.
Funeral Flowers – Lilies, particularly white ones, represented purity and were often used in mourning arrangements, while forget-me-nots symbolized eternal remembrance.
Daisy Innocence – Giving a daisy signified loyal love or innocence, making it a favorite for young lovers.
Exotic Blooms for Status – Orchids, considered rare and exotic, symbolized luxury and refined taste.
Symbolism of a Few Specific Flowers:
Each flower in Victorian floriography carried its own unique message. Here are some notable examples:
Lily of the Valley: Symbolized a return to happiness.
Blue Violets: Represented love and devotion.
Red Chrysanthemum: Conveyed the message "I love you."
Yellow Carnation: Signified disdain.
White Jasmine: Denoted amiability.
And for my theme this week for Bloom & Bough:
Sweet William:
Dianthus barbatus
Meaning:
Gallantry
In Victorian floriography, the Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) held significant meaning, symbolizing gallantry and admiration. This association made it a popular choice in bouquets and floral arrangements during the era, allowing individuals to convey sentiments of bravery and affection to their loved ones, whether secret or public.
The origin of the name "Sweet William" is subject to various theories, but none have been verified as true. One suggests it honors Prince William, Duke of Cumberland, known for his role in the Battle of Culloden and how he brutally defeated the enemies of the king. This has since been proven untrue.
The Scots are known to call Sweet William “stinking Willie” or “sour Billy”. Another theory says that it refers to William Shakespeare, while some believe it derives from the French word "œillet," meaning "little eye" or "carnation." I tend to believe that it comes from this third theory as it does look like a little eye.
Folklore intertwines Sweet William with tales of betrayed love. In a traditional English ballad, "Fair Margaret and Sweet William," the flower symbolizes unrequited love and tragedy. Margaret sees her secret lover, William, marrying another and she dies of a broken heart or commits suicide. She appears to William as a ghost asking if he loves this new woman more than her. In the morning, he goes to her family in search of her and they show him her corpse. He proceeds to die of heartbreak. It’s a rather grim story that I had never heard before and it’s hard to associate it with this cheerful-looking flower.
With my upcoming fiction story, I wanted to take a happier approach and tell the tale of a soldier far away from his love. It reminds him of her commitment and keeps him going during his difficult time away from her in battle.
Look for Sweet William: A Civil War Soldier's Journey Home coming up on Sunday.
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