Flowers and their meaning

From: ae498@yfn.ysu.edu (Dawn Bott)

[...] this whole flower language started in Constantinople in the 1600s, and was brought to England in 1716 by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu who had spent time in Turkey with her husband. The interest then moved to France (of course) where the Book Le Langage des Fleurs was printed with over 800 floral signs. Many were toned down in the English translation at the time of Queen Victoria because they were quite lusty and risque! (aww..wish i could get my hands on an original Frence copy!!)

anyway...here are a few "nice" ones.. [...] 

From: barrett@server.cs.jhu.edu (Dan Barrett)

FLOWER			    IT MEANS...
====================================================================
Red rose		    Love
Yellow rose		    Friendship
White rose		    Fear
Pink rose		    Indecision
Green rose		    I am from Mars
Lily			    I am dead
Dandelion		    I am very cheap
Dandelion going to seed	    I am very cheap and I am dead
Buttercup		    I do/don't like butter (rubbed on chin)
Chrysanthemum		    I have periodontal disease
Carnation		    I ripped this off of some guy's tuxedo
Posey			    I want sex immediately
Daisy			    I want sex immediately with a large yak
Sunflower		    I am hungry
Crabgrass		    I just escaped from a mental institution
Scallion		    I am clueless

From: jggoslin@vela.acs.oakland.edu (The Seventh Stranger)
The Language of Flowers.

Flowers may be combined and arranged so as to express even the nicest shades of sentiment.

If a flower is offered ``reversed'', its direct signification is likewise reversed, so that the flower now means the opposite.

A rosebud divested of its thorns, but retaining its leaves, convays the sentiment, ``I fear no longer; I hope.'' Stripped of leaves and thorns, it signifies, ``There is nothing to hope or fear.''

A full-blown rose places over two buds, signifies ``Secrecy.''

`` Yes,'' is implied by touching the flower given to the lips; ``No,'' by pinching off a petal and casting it away.

`` I am,'' is expressed by a laurel leaf twined arround the bouquet; ``I have,'' by an ivy leaf folded together; ``I offer you,'' by a leaf of Virginia creeper.

COMBINATIONS.

Moss Rosebud and Myrtle.
A confession of love.
Mignonette and Coloured Daisy.
Your qualities surpass your charms of beauty.
Lily of the Valley and Ferns.
Your unconscious sweetness has fascinated me.
Yellow Rose, Broken Straw and Ivy.
Your jealousy has broken our friendship.
Scarlet Geranium, Passion Flower, Purple Hyacinth, and Arbor Vitae.
I trust you will find consolation, through faith, in your sorrow; be assured of my unchanging friendship.
Columbine, Day Lily, Broken Straw, Witch Hazel and Coloured Daisy.
Your folly and coquetry have broken the spell of your beauty.
White Pink, Canary Grass and Laurel.
Your talent and perseverance will win you glory.
Golden-rod, Monkshead, Sweet Pea and Forget-me-not.
Be cautious; danger is near; I depart soon; forget me not.
Lars P. Fischer <fischer@dina.kvl.dk>
(Sat Sep 17 00:07:24 1994)