Victorian Flower Language - Blog Posts

crescitinsuoluminesidus

7 years ago

The Signs as Plants

Aries: Crown Imperial, its flowers contain large drops of nectar and it represents majesty and power.

Taurus: Kingcup, its Latin name Caltha palustris literally means “swamp calice”. Represents desire for riches.

Gemini: European Sweetbrier, also known as eglantine (from Latin aculentus, “prickly”), known for the sweet apple fragrance of the leaves. Represents poetry.

Cancer: Dahlia, also known as “valley flower” referred to the Swedish “dal” (homophone of the man whose name was given to the flower, Anders Dahl). Used to treat epilepsy by natives of Mexico, it became famous during the Victorian era as a symbol of instability.

Leo: Basil, from Ancient Greek βασιλικός, an adjective meaning “royal”. Brought by Asian kings to Greece, it was said that only the most pure-hearted young men could pick it. Represents good wishes but also hatred.

Virgo: Vervain, also known as Tears of Isis in Egypt and Holy Herb in Christianity for having been used to stanch Jesus’ wounds on the cross. Also the Latin term "verbenae" was used with regard to the crowns made up of flowers and plants used by flamines, aka Roman priests in celebrations. Its use dates back to the Vedic era, therefore it is considered a magical, divine plant since millennia. Represents purity, protection, mystical bliss and sensibility.

Libra: Circaea, named after the Greek sorceress Circe, said to have a vast knowledge of magic and also known for transforming into feral creatures her enemies. Because of this in Italy it is also called erba maga, meaning “sorceress herb”, and as “enchanter’s nightshade” in English. Represents charm and allure.

Scorpio: Solomon’s Seal, said to bear a royal stamp or resemble Hebrew characters, therefore in reference to the King’s vast knowledge of plants. Represents secrets and discretion.

Sagittarius: Hyacinth, named after a boy whom Apollo loved that was killed by the jealous Zephyr, god of the west wind. It represents playfulness, sports, sincerity and sorrow.

Capricorn: Mountain laurel, aka “spoonwood”, extremely toxic but has a resistant wood. Represents ambition.

Aquarius: Ginkgo biloba, from Chinese yínxìng meaning “silver apricot”, in Ayurvedic medicine was said to be the main ingredient of the elixir of eternity, known as soma. Represents Tokyo and six plants survived the Hiroshima bombing. Represents vitality, peace and endurance.

Pisces: Mallow, coming from the Greek μαλακός (“sweet, soothing”), was considered by Celts a plant which granted heaven to the deceased and the Pythagoreans praised its beauty and importance. Represents a delicate nature and persuasion.