Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers notes

Taking notes of ideas of what type of character could be associated with specific flowers
  • Amaryllis Pride or Hydrangea Boastfulness and heartlessness
    • Queen or king?
    • Amaryllis: "Strong hearty plant, too prideful to perish under harsh conditions"
      • Headstrong
      • Leadership
  • Asphodel My regrets follow you to the grave or Rue Regret
    • An old widow
    • Reminiscent over old times
    • Wanders the streets 
  • Aster Daintiness 
    • Princess?
    • Ballerina?
  • Bluebell Humility and faithfulness
    • Servant or apprentice?
  • Camellia Longing
    • Post officer?
      • Someone who facilitates communication between people who are far apart
  • Cattail Peace and prosperity
    • "...plant's many domestic uses. Traditionally, the plant is used to weave baskets, to insulate clothing or bedding, as fuel for a hearth fire, and as food."
      • General workers
        • Working class
  • Chamomile Energy in adversity
    • "...,chamomile calms the nerves and promotes sleep, allowing the body and mind to rest and renew during times of stress." 
      • Doctor / general healer
      • Hypnotist?
  • Chrysanthemum Condolences or Cypress Death and mourning
    • "...token of comfort during a time of grieving." and "...used in funerals and placed on graves..."
      • Grave keeper?
      • Funeral director?
  • Clematis Ingenuity and cleverness
    • Scholar?
    • Librarian?
    • Inventor?
  • Clover Good luck (also Heather Luck and protection)
    • Goes out into world and spreads good luck?
      • Society is split into royalty, plants that go out and plants that stay and maintain the home?
  • Columbine Foolishness
    • Entertainer?
    • "...bloom of the columbine also resembles a court jester's hat."
  • Cowslip Winning grace
    • "Cowslip gets its meaning from a story told about Saint Peter, the gatekeeper of Heaven." and "...known as the "key flower", because its flowers resemble a ring of golden keys."
      • Gatekeeper
      • Security
  • Dahlia Eternal love and commitment
    • Same as clover but spreads blessings to newlyweds? 
      • "Frequently used in wedding bouquets during the Victorian era,..."
  • Dandelion Divination and fortune-telling
    • Fortune teller / psychic
  • Edelweiss Courage and daring or Eucalyptus Protection or Iris Valor, wisdom and faith
    • Military leader
    • Royal guard
  • Forget-me-not Forget me not or Rosemary Remembrance and wisdom
    • Archives / Librarian
    • Historian?
  • Hyssop Cleanliness
    • Maid
  • Larkspur Levity
    • "...seedpod of the larkspur is said to resemble the foot of a lark,...The lovely and light song of these birds lifts the spirit, just as the beautiful purple petals of the plant..."
      • Songstress
  • Monkshood Chivalry
    • "...the shape of its purple petals: they resemble a medieval knight's helmet."
      • Knight
  • Orchid Elegance and beauty
    • "...became an exotic luxury during the Victorian era, when only the wealthy could afford the expensive bloom."
      • Socialite?
  • Passionflower Faith
    • Religious leader
Potential field worker flowers 

  • Blessings 
    • Chamomile Energy in adversity
    • Edelweiss Courage and daring
    • Heather Luck and protection
    • Laurel Glory, victory and success
    • Mint Consolation
    • Yarrow Cure for a broken heart
    • Hellebore We shall overcome scandal and slander
    • Lily of the Valley Return to happiness
    • Wheat Riches and abundance
    • Cornflower Hope in love
    • Queen Anne's Lace Sanctuary
  • Curses
    • Hemlock Death 
    • Poppy Eternal sleep
    • Anemone Forsaken love
    • Datura Deceitful charms
    • Wormwood Bitterness
    • Marigold Grief
    • Rue Regret
    • Columbine Foolishness
    • Petunia Anger and resentment
    • Sunflower False riches

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