Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers (Volume 1)

The elegance and beauty of flowers have not dwindled—only our knowledge of their coded meanings. I hope this book, apart from offering a view into the history of floriography, will encourage readers to look at flowers and herbs in a new way, perhaps assigning their own meanings to the blooms that inspire them most. — Jessica Roux

This book is quite hard to review. It is a simple but beautiful book that is a must for those with an interest in Victorian culture or floristry. I appreciate the whole thing, I do recommend the book if it There are many others this would appeal to too, it is gorgeously illustrated the flowers all look so soft but real. The colours are well balanced with some put on white backgrounds, some on black. The background colour depends on the flower not the meanings to them.

The format is simpler than it sounds but effective. Each flower profile has its common name, genus, meanings, origin (for the meaning) and pairs with... on the left-hand page and an illustration/portrait of the flower on the right. Meaning the first thing a reader sees when they open the page will naturally be the flower itself. An explanation of 'pairs with...', thus is a list of two of three flowers that when combined with that of the profile will send a specific message. For example, combining Lily and Sweet William honours an act of pure generosity, gifting Chrysanthenemum and Willow to a friend in grief or a Thistle and Pansy to show you're thinking of a friend going through a bitter separation. Included are 10 bouquets with their own occasions such as bitter ends or courting. Roux has included what flowers are in the bouquet and what to tie it with Lastly, there is an index at the end separated by meaning such as encouragement, friendship or love and romance, there are eleven categories and flowers can be in more than one category.

Some of the elements/ entries I really liked
• Apple Bloosom — I liked the origin. "The apple's connection to preference comes from the fable of the Golden Apple of Discord. Eris, the goddess of discord, threw a golden apple into a wedding ceremony that she was not invited to attend. The apple was inscribed with "For the most beautiful," and Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite all laid claim to it. Zeus tasked Paris of Troy with deciding between the three goddesses. He eventually chose Aphrodite after she promised him the love of the world's most beautiful woman, Helen of Sparta. Because Helen was already married to King Menelaus, Paris's preference ultimately caused the Trojan War."
• Bluebell — For context as to why this one is of interest to me, my tumblr main contains this flower in it. I never knew the meaning of this flower. It has two meanings humility and faithfulness. But I really just think they are pretty.
• Daffodil — It is the scientific name that is interesting here, it gives some indication of the meaning and origin... Narcissus. Narcissus who fell in love with his own reflection. Daffodils bloomed on the ground where he fell.
• Dandelion — Meaning or aligned with divination and fortune-telling. The origin "Dandelions are associated with wished and fortune-telling; it's customary in many Western cultures to make a wish while blowing on the dandelion's "puff," dispersing the seeds. More practically, dandelions have been used to predict the weather, as their puffs will stay closed in inclement weather and open when sunny, clear skies are on the way."
• Eucalyptus — Meaning protection. Does acknowledge the Indigenous Australian uses. I like one of the pairings too, with Queen Anne's lace to wish the recipient safe travels.
• Forget-Me-Not — Oh these are such cute little flowers, I like the illustration. The origin is heartbreaking though from a Germanic folktale that ends in death.
• Isis — The Iris illustration looks like it's drawn on a chalkboard, white always looks good on that background. I didn't know the meanings either, valor, wisdom and faith.
• Lavender — I didn't expect lavender to have a negative connotation, distrust. It's to do with asps hiding in them.
• Myrtle — Potentially unexpectedly meaning love. Pair with dahlia for your one true love. I think a bit of this surprises my modern mind.
• Petunia — Another pretty illustration of white flowers on a black background. Purely on a Harry Potter reference Petunia means anger and resentment, tell me that doesn't suit that character (as much as I hate to give she-who-must-not-be-named any praise).
• Snapdragon — The origin to the presumption meaning for snapdragon... "Snapdragon's link to presumption may derive from a medieval fashion practice: maidens would wear snapdragons in their hair to show they were not interested in unsolicited attention from men. The flower warned young men against presumption in a subtle and elegant way."
• A Bouquet for Friendship — Zinna for everlasting friendship, Apple blossom for preference, Pansy for a friend you think of often and Eucalyptus for protection and to strengthen the bond of friendship, so that it may last throughout the years fastened with a teal chiffon ribbon.
• A Bouquet for Forgotten Obligations — Columbine for foolishness, Rue for regret, Anemone for forsaken love, Forget-me-not to indicate you won't forget again fastened with a green garland.
• A Bouquet for Marriage — Red roses for true love, Ivy for fidelity, Myrtle for hope and love in marriage and Dahlia for commitment and eternal love fastened with a white lace bow.
• A Bouquet for New Beginnings — Crocus for youthful glee, Daisy for innocence and childhood purity, Lilac for first love, Baby's breath for purity and innocence and Wheat for riches fastened with a yellow tassel

Because the star-shaped, white edelweiss blooms high in the Alps, collecting the blossoms in a dangerous task. For this reason, procuring edelweiss for your lover was thought to be a feat of great courage and devotion. — Jessica Roux (the origin for Edelweiss)

Read for QBD Reading Challenge 2022. Filling the prompt: "An Illustrated Book" 🖼
This is a book of lovely illustrations. They are a focus point of the book. Some of my favourite illustrations are Chrysanthenemum, Crocus, Hydrangea, Pansy and Protea. All ten of the bouquets are lovely as well, using the right flower as the central piece and with the right ratios and arrangements, the illustrations are bought to life.

A representative gif: