The Language of Flowers: Guest post and GIVEAWAY from Christina Boyd!

When I was a kid (a weird little kid), one of my most prized possessions was a book about the "language of flowers," specifically, the secretive and often-absurd Victorian system of using flowers and bouquets to communicate "secret" messages. Somewhere along the years, I lost it, and I'm not gonna lie, I'm still super bummed about that. 

But today, Christina Boyd is making up for it, at least a little bit, but talking all about the language of flowers. Check it out below, and make sure to click through to enter to win the winner's choice giveaway she's offered up at the end!

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“The Language of Flowers: If Only Mr. Darcy Had Sent Red Roses” by Christina Boyd

“I certainly have not the talent which some people possess,”' said Darcy, “of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done.” (Chapter 31) 

Have you heard of the language of flowers? As far back as the ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and Chinese, flower symbolism has been used in myths, folklore, sonnets, and plays. During the 1800s, this silent dialogue of flowers was elevated to an art form. Flower bouquets were arranged to send particular messages. If you learned the language, you might be able to decipher the code.

We first met Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pride & Prejudice at the Meryton assembly where his first impression is anything but stellar as Miss Elizabeth Bennet overhears him insult her. He is  judged the "proudest most disagreeable man in the world" and from then on, Elizabeth is set against him; almost every occasion when they meet thereafter, his words are colored by her unfavorable opinion. 

Darcy later admits he is not easy with new acquaintances, and I can’t help but think if only Darcy had understood the language of flowers, he might have done better with Miss Elizabeth earlier on. Except for the Meryton assembly. Deciphering the language of flowers to understand his character that evening was not necessary. Haughty. No need for him to wear a sunflower in his buttonhole—we got it in one.

As early as Chapter 10, however, when Jane is ill at Netherfield and Elizabeth declares their characters “unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak,” maybe if Darcy had given her an arrangement of alyssum (worth beyond beauty), carnations (fascination, pride and beauty), gardenias (you’re lovely; secret love), peonies (bashful), and yellow tulips (sunshine in your smile), her opinion of him might have improved. Especially since he started to question his first impression of her, finding her intelligent and pleasing. 

Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her. He really believed, that were it not for the inferiority of her connections, he should be in some danger. (Chapter 10) 

Later while Elizabeth visits her friend Charlotte in Kent, she meets Darcy by chance who is also there visiting his aunt. To Elizabeth’s chagrin, they find themselves in company often. Darcy further astounds Elizabeth when he makes his unfortunate proposal to her in that infamous manner. Maybe if he had brought her a bouquet of red roses (I love you), red tulips (passion, declaration of love), morning glory (affection), irises (faith, trust, wisdom, hope), heliotropes (eternal love, devotion), daffodils (regard, unequalled love), white hyacinth (loveliness)—and left out all the bits about the disparities in their families… “In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.'' (Chapter 34)

Then Darcy explains himself in a letter to Elizabeth. After reading the letter, Elizabeth realizes she misunderstood him. “This, madam, is a faithful narrative of every event in which we have been concerned together” (Chapter 35) Surely an accompanying bouquet of gladioli (sincerity), lilies (purity of heart), white chrysanthemums (truth), red roses (I love you), pink camellias (longing for you), pink carnations (I’ll never forget you), white clover (think of me), daffodils (regard, unequalled love), honeysuckle (bonds of love), ivy (affection, friendship, fidelity), and zinnias (thoughts of absent friends, lasting affection) might have also helped him along.

In the summer when Elizabeth visits Derbyshire with her aunt and uncle, she unexpectedly meets Darcy at his estate, Pemberley. At length, every idea seemed to fail him; and, after standing a few moments without saying a word, he suddenly recollected himself, and took leave. (Chapter 43) 

Maybe he should have taken her on a tour of the gardens, collecting a bouquet of yarrow (everlasting love), zinnias (lasting affection), violets (faithfulness), red tulips (passion, declaration of love), blue salvia (I think of you), marjoram (joy), ivy (affection, friendship, fidelity), heliotrope (eternal love, devotion), honeysuckle (bonds of love), and camellias (longing for you) to clarify his feelings. 

As for Elizabeth, her thoughts were at Pemberley this evening more than the last; and the evening, though as it passed it seemed long, was not long enough to determine her feelings towards one in that mansion; and she lay awake two whole hours endeavouring to make them out. (Chapter 44)

After all has been righted, I think Elizabeth would have cherished a bouquet of bluebells (humility), red roses (I love you), red columbine (anxious, trembling), pink roses (happiness), and white hyacinth (loveliness).—even though he does use his words. Finally. “My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever.” (Chapter 58) 

What do you think would have made up an appropriate bouquet as Elizabeth’s response? Can you think of another Austen hero who might have benefited by understanding the language of flowers? Fascinating this flower code, isn’t it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. One random winner from the comments will choose ebook or paperback or audiobook from any of my five anthologies or my silly faux magazine notecards/pack of eight. Deadline is: August 30, 12 pm EST.

Christina Boyd wears many hats as she is a great reader, an editor under her own banner, The Quill Ink, LLC, a dedicated reviewer, an artist, and novice gardener. Since 2013, Christina has worked with over thirty authors, self-published five anthologies including The Darcy Monologues, and edited numerous Jane Austen-inspired, contemporary and historical romance, and chicklit books. By the end of 2021, she will have edited almost fifty books in eight years. Visiting Jane Austen’s England was made possible by the actor Henry Cavill when she won the Omaze experience to meet him atop the London Eye in the spring of 2017. True story. You can Google it. Oh, and Christina is writing her own novel after years of editing other people’s books. Connect with Christina: Twitter Facebook Instagram Amazon Goodreads Blog

Symbolic Meanings of Herbs, Flowers and Other Plants as per the Old Farmer’s Almanac

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