Why utter a single word when flowers of different species can convey your thoughts and emotions?
Floriography, or flower language, is a poetic way to convey admiration, messages, and emotions. That’s the flower power of Italian flowers; they have a language of their own that has shaped the Italian faith and culture for centuries.
Italy, a country rich in traditions and history, uses flowers for spiritual customs, to commemorate life events, to honor someone, or to communicate emotions. In Italy, floristry is an art, as each flower conveys different and deep emotions when words fail to express them.
What Does It Mean that Flowers Have a Language?
Floriography dates back to the 19th century, when flowers were used to show and express emotions and feelings when words didn’t seem enough. Giving flowers in the Victorian era was a kind of secret communication. The bloom chosen for a loved one used to convey distinct messages and complex emotions depending on its number, color, and species.
Floriculture in Italy: Meanings of Different Blooms in Italian Culture
Giving flowers is a cherished tradition that is deeply rooted in Italian culture. Stemmed from the ancient Roman traditions, its reverence continues today. Italy’s history is brimming with floriculture, and each Italian flower is akin to different folklore, poems, and legends.
Below are some of the most common flowers and their meanings:
Rose: Passion, Romance, and New Beginnings
The rose, being the most popular flower worldwide, is also admired and revered in Italy. Red, white, and yellow roses are the most popular in Italian culture.
Red roses are the universal symbol for eternal and passionate love. White roses signify new beginnings, purity, and innocence and are mostly used for sacred celebrations and weddings. While yellow roses indicate joy and friendship, jealousy can also be an indication.
Lily: Chastity and Adoration
From the religious perspective, Lily is interlinked with the Virgin Mary. According to mythology, lilies were invoked from Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and love. The single drop of her breast milk cropped up these blooms, and now these florals are used for sacred events, religious festivals, and for decorating churches.
Tulips: Gratitude and Positivity
Tulips, especially the pink ones, are usually given to express appreciation and gratitude toward someone. In contrast, red tulips have been used since the Ottoman Empire to express sincere love. Yellow tulips are given to those who are sick to wish them a speedy recovery and to give them hope, positivity, and encouragement.
Orchid: Elegance and Beauty
Orchids are usually chosen for their elegance and delicate beauty. Moreover, these florals are an emblem of love and integrity.
Sunflower: Loyalty and Admiration
Girasole, the Italian name for sunflowers, as they move where the sun goes; therefore, they are the emblem of intense love, fondness, and loyalty. Moreover, these blooms are linked with the concept of followership.
Italy’s Flower Festival
Festivals in Italy are all about exhibiting its artistry, nature, and Italian flora. The different flower festivals are as follows:
Corso Fiorito
Corso Fiorito, aka Sanremo in Fiore, is a yearly event that features a stunning parade of floats made from thousands of kaleidoscopic flowers, folk groups, and marching bands. Every spring, this floral heritage is celebrated against the most surreal backdrop of the Italian Riviera.
Infiorata di Spello
Spello’s traditional festival is practiced yearly on the Feast of Corpus Christi, which is the 9th Sunday after Easter. This festival is about showcasing intricate floral art and abstract designs to curate flower tapestries. Residents compose mosaics and carpets from leaves, seeds, and petals, hence adorning the streets of Spello.
Infiorata di Genzano di Roma
The centuries-old floral festival transforms the main street into an artwork curated from vibrant-hued petals. Endless streets are decorated with thousands of blossoms to commemorate the Feast of Corpus Christi. This festival possesses several cultural activities, such as parades, street performances, art exhibits, music, etc.
Bottom line
In Italy, flowers are considered timeless and are a powerful way of passing on your thoughts and emotions without words. Flowers speak to the hearts of many Italians, so which flower bouquet are you willing to buy?