The Little Book of Floriography

This is a new book. Condition: Brand New.

Revealing a world of secret messages contained within a single petal.

Floriography - the language of flowers - is the ancient art of encoding hidden messages in the type, colour and arrangement of plants, allowing individuals to express emotions and sentiments that they may not be able to articulate through words.

Featuring 100 of the most popular and available blooms from around the world, this beautifully illustrated gift book gives the botanical name for each plant, a description of its significance and place in folklore, and the story behind its meaning. It also reveals how floral symbolism has been used over the centuries in literature and art, from Hamlet's Ophelia handing out rosemary 'for remembrance' and pansies 'for thoughts', to Oscar Wilde urging his friends to wear green carnations as a subtle code for homosexuality. The idea that flowers have secret meanings would have been well understood by contemporary audiences - and we are seeing a revival of the practice today.

From mimosa - which signifies chastity because its leaves close when touched - to the varied messages encoded within different colours of geraniums, Floriography offers a creative way to convey feelings and can add an extra layer of beauty and significance to a gift of flowers.

The flowers in Kate Middleton's wedding bouquet signified love, happiness, gallantry and fidelity.

If someone sends you a bouquet of hydrangea and lobelia, beware: they stand for heartlessness and malevolence.

Book details and technical specifications

Format: Hardback
ISBN13: 9781800695399
Published: November 2023

Number of pages: 192
Width: 114 mm
Height: 140 mm
Depth: 18 mm

Publisher: Headline Publishing Group