Flowers and Their Meanings: The Secret Language and History of Over 600 Blooms ( A Flower Dictionary) — By Karen Azoulay

It's pretty easy to get lost in this beautiful book.

Flowers and Their Meanings: The Secret Language and History of Over 600 Blooms lets you uncover the secret meanings behind your bouquets and floral arrangements through its this stunningly illustrated exploration of the Victorian language of flowers, including the multicultural history, rituals, and mythology behind over 600 flowers, herbs, and trees.

In the Victorian language of flowers, hundreds of blooms were ascribed specific meanings based on folklore, science, and ancient history. Page through this botanical encyclopedia to learn each flower’s Victorian meaning (ranunculus, for example, boldly states, “I am dazzled by your charms,” while marigold represents despair), common names, and cultural history. There is also an index of the flowers grouped by theme, should you want to challenge your local florist to create a coded message for a loved one.

The study of floriography can be used by readers to decode hidden messages in beloved novels like The Age of Innocence or speculate as to why two canary-yellow roses—which signify jealousy and infidelity—were featured in Diana Spencer’s wedding bouquet.

You might share some honeysuckle (meaning “bonds of love”) with a friend or partner as a gesture of commitment. Or perhaps you’ll choose a celebratory bouquet of angelica (“inspiration”) and purple columbine (“resolved to win”) for a friend who has triumphed over something difficult.

Karen Azoulay pairs nineteenth century botanical drawings with electric photography, creating a one-of-a-kind flower dictionary with a contemporary, artful feel.

With a foreword by Kate Bolick and a helpful sentiment-based index, Flowers and Their Meanings is both a beautiful volume and a practical guide to incorporating the language of flowers into your own life.

THE DETAILS

Format: New, hardcover over paper boards / four-color photos and illustrations

Published: March 21, 2023

Publisher: Clarkson Potter

ISBN: 9780593234679

Pages: 248

Dimensions: 8.3 inches long X  6.7 inches wide X |0.8 inches thick

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - KAREN AZOULAY

Karen Azoulay is a Canadian born, Brooklyn-based artist and author whose projects have been featured and reviewed in publications such as the New York Times, New Yorker, Hyperallergic, and Vogue.

Azoulay incorporates performance, photography, sculpture and video into her art. She has a fascination with floral symbolism and secret messages are often embedded in her work. Inspired by “feminine” motifs, Azoulay explores cultural phenomena that have historically been overlooked with the purpose of recontextualizing and championing them.