Floriography uses scriptural, historical, literary and botanical elements to assign meaning to individual flowers and conversations to grouping of flowers. It was popular during the Victorian period in both Europe and America and was considered part of a proper social education.

Flowers have had a part in human social experiences from the beginning of recorded history. Genesis records that Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden during the cool of the evening. Flowers have been found in very early graves, been used to express victory, success or love. Even today we ascribe meaning to an olive branch or mistletoe.

Floriography or FlorioLexicon was a popular way to send a message during the Victorian period. Society was complex, with formal expectations of behavior and manners. The assignment of meanings to flowers was not random and was similar to other cognitive parlor games that were popular at the time.

Knowing the meaning of flowers also implied understanding why the meanings were so assigned. This required an education. Women had limited means to express their learning and education, therefore, this was one of the acceptable ways to express it with each other and with men. Flower meanings were derived from the botanical characteristics of each species (where and when it grew and bloomed), Biblical references, geographic and historical connections, literary references and Greco-Roman mythology. Since there were so many literary references, there were many meanings assigned to some flowers. Other meanings changed by color or to the degree of the maturity of the bloom. A flower presented the bloom-up had one meaning while presenting the bloom-down had the opposite meaning. Combining flowers could create an entire conversation.

In Ocean Grove during this time, our founding fathers sought to remove themselves from the folly of fashion and society and reconnect and focus on God's love for his people and their expression of love returned. The poems, and scriptural references for each room of Centennial Cottage, therefore, is an attempt by the Historical Society of Ocean Grove to represent the most authentic expression of Victorian Floriography in Ocean Grove.

We invite you to come and enjoy our special exhibit and hope you will return with a friend or loved one during this two week period. The exhibit is being held at centennial Cottage on the corner of Central Avenue and McClintock from July 31 to August 19. The Cottage is open Monday through friday from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM and on Saturday from 10:30 AM to 6:30(ish) PM. If you would like to join us in preparing the 2007 exhibit, please call the HSOG office at 732.774.1869 to volunteer.

Download the Florigraphy Meanings and Scriptural References in PDF Format