“Earth laughs in flowers”, Ralph Waldo Emerson poignantly noted in his poem, Hamatreya, observing how our Earth in her eternal state has its own language, spoken in part by its botanical community, specifically through its flora. Nature has a broad, diverse set of languages to communicate with us as its inhabitants, ranging from the feeling of soft, silky grass beneath our barefeet to the towering sequoias so great and mighty and to the breathtaking, magnificent mountain peaks of the Tetons which make us catch our breath quickly at their first sight, flooding our senses with awe and grandeur. What is the Earth desperately trying to tell us as we move swiftly through our daily lives encircled by our artificial indoor surroundings and lighting? To not forget Her. In our 24/7 blue light lives, how can She compete for our attention? Through the beauty of a Bloom.
Not only does the Earth speak to us through her colorful array of flowers, we speak to each other through the language of flowers, as well. Floriography, the language of flowers, has been recognized for centuries throughout the world. The ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and Chinese used flowers and plants throughout their mythologies, folklore, sonnets and plays to artfully communicate their beliefs and culture through their literary works. Even Shakespeare referenced over fifty different types of flowers in his plays and sonnets to portray love, beauty, mortality and the passage of time to engender a bolder and deeper understanding of humanity to his audience.
During the Victorian era, nearly all homes in the 1800s had a Bible and a guidebook for deciphering the language of flowers. Victorian era strict etiquette gave the unspoken word a voice through the sharing and giving of flowers. Many varieties were used to deliver messages that could not be articulated aloud, in public or private. The detail of this silently given but loudly heard language eloquently conveyed messages of love, disdain, devotion, conceit, bitterness and even preference for another. If flowers were given upside down, the imparted idea was the opposite of what was the original meaning. And, of course, a wilted bouquet was undeniable in its message!
Throughout recorded history, flowers have also been used for their medicinal and culinary properties. They communicate healing, sustenance and comfort to our existential human condition. Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D., believes that flowers are important for our overall wellbeing and possess holistic qualities. In 1979, he founded the Beneficial Plant Research Association to promote research on the role plants have in our lives that can improve our health and wellness. Dr. Weil believes that flowers do communicate with us. They have a language all their own that contributes to our overall sense of well-being any time, any place. Dr. Weil also prescribes flowers to be a part of our daily lives, especially in our home environments. Rutgers University agrees with his
findings.
In 2005, Rutgers University conducted a behavioral research study, “An Environmental Approach to Positive Emotion: Flowers,” that proved Nature, specifically flowers, improves emotional health. The presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond than what was previously believed. “The study challenged established scientific beliefs about how people can manage their day-to-day moods in a healthy and natural way,” stated Jeanette Haviland-Jones, PhD, Professor of Psychology at Rutgers and lead researcher of the study. The study also explored the location in the home where flowers are displayed. The arrangements were primarily placed in areas that were open to visitors, such as foyers, living rooms and dining rooms, suggesting that flowers are a symbol of sharing. “Flowers bring about positive emotional feelings for those who enter a room,” shared Dr. Haviland-Jones, “they make the space more welcoming and create a sharing atmosphere.” In other words, Flowers are a love language.
The meanings and traditions associated with flowers has changed over time but our fascination with “perfumed words” persists to this day. A sensory language of experience through touch, taste, feel and smell, flowers can develop our world around us into an intimate, emotionally uplifting daily encounter with Nature, as intended.
Flowers are our proxy with Mother Earth-her way of communicating with us no matter where we are, her laughter, her beauty, her sweet fragrance and the greatest of all-her love for humankind. Whether through a single rose or a grand bouquet, invite Her into your heart and home so you may live the good life and Savor the Lifestyle.
When was the last time you were around beautiful flowers? Mine was Fiesta 2025. The plentiful arrangements were stunning at every event. Tag us and share a picture of your favorite flowers.