Английский язык для флористов

The symbolic language of flowers has been recognized for centuries in many countries throughout Europe and Asia. They even play a large role in William Shakespeare’s works. Mythologies, folklore, sonnets, and plays of the ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and Chinese are peppered with flower and plant symbolism—and for good reason. Nearly every sentiment imaginable can be expressed with flowers. The orange blossom, for instance, means purity, and loveliness, while the red chrysanthemum means “I love you.”

Flowery Language of the Victorian Era

Learning the special symbolism of flowers became a popular pastime during the 1800s. Nearly all Victorian homes had, alongside the Bible, guidebooks for deciphering the “language,” although definitions shifted depending on the source.

In the Victorian era, flowers were primarily used to deliver messages that couldn’t be spoken aloud. In a sort of silent dialogue, flowers could be used to answer “yes” or “no” questions. A “yes” answer came in the form of flowers handed over with the right hand; if the left hand was used, the answer was “no.”

Plants could also express aversive feelings, such as the “conceit” of pomegranate or the “bitterness” of aloe. Similarly, if given a rose declaring “devotion” or an apple blossom showing “preference,” one might return to the suitor a yellow carnation to express “disdain.”

How flowers were presented and in what condition were important. If the flowers were given upside down, then the idea being conveyed was the opposite of what was traditionally meant. How the ribbon was tied said something, too: Tied to the left, the flowers’ symbolism applied to the giver, whereas tied to the right, the sentiment was in reference to the recipient. And, of course, a wilted bouquet delivered an obvious message!

More examples of plants and their associated human qualities during the Victorian era include bluebells and kindness, peonies and bashfulness, rosemary and remembrance, and tulips and passion. The meanings and traditions associated with flowers have certainly changed over time, and different cultures assign varying ideas to the same species, but the fascination with “perfumed words” persists just the same.

3. Read the text once again and complete first two columns (flower and meaning in the Victorian era) in the table:

4. Think what the flowers from the text symbolize nowadays. Check your ideas and complete the third column of the table from exc. 3:

5. Write the names of flowers from the table in exc.3 under the pictures:

6. Read an abstract from the text above and match the usage of the construction in bold and examples:

7. Study the rules:

Rules

One might return to the suitor a yellow carnation to express “disdain.”(reason)

Watering plants is essential. (subject)

8. Open the brackets by choosing correct answers in the following sentences:

a)

I love ________(to see/seeing) so many florists getting around this and sharing ideas on ways we can limit it in our work.

b)

Lilac and the Cat avoids ________(using/to use) cellophane, floral foam, ribbons or any unnatural elements in its designs.

c)

She needs_______(to buy/buying) a new pink ribbon today.

d)

They also specialize in “interior greening”, which harnesses the power of plants _________(reducing/to reduce) indoor toxins.

e)

WildFlora’s team is made up of young women with backgrounds in dance, creative _______(to write/writing) and photography.

f)

She was happy ________(seeing/to see) how many fresh daisies there are in our shop.

g)

This company says it’s on a mission “_________(to bring/bringing) forth geographically and environmentally inspired solutions and products that are ecologically responsible.

9. Read the second part of the text and decide which flowers you would give in concrete situations written under the text using phrases for expressing opinions:

Flower Meanings by Color

Flowers provided an incredibly nuanced form of communication. Some plants, including roses, poppies, and lilies, could express a wide range of emotions based on their color alone.

Take, for instance, all of the different meanings attributed to variously colored carnations: Pink meant “I’ll never forget you”; red said “my heart aches for you”; purple conveyed capriciousness; white was for the “the sweet and lovely”; and yellow expressed romantic rejection.

Likewise, a white violet meant “innocence,” while a purple violet said that the bouquet giver’s “thoughts were occupied with love.” A red rose was used to openly express feelings of love, while a red tulip was a confession of love. The calla lily was interpreted to mean “magnificent beauty,” and a clover said “think of me.”