The language of flowers was a wide-ranging cultural phenomenon that was most popular during the mid-nineteenth century. It involved attributing meanings to flowers and plants which were then documented in ornate books called floral dictionaries.

 

My dissertation endeavoured to examine the history, usage and lasting influence of this subject. The history and beginnings of the movement are first examined to give some cultural context and try to explain why the books were so popular. Secondly, a detailed visual analysis is conducted as well as analysis of examples of floral themes from novels and poetry. Finally, I examine what came after the language of flowers and investigate how it influenced other cultural ideas at the end of the century, specifically the Arts and Crafts Movement. The goal was to layout a concentrated overview of the subject through specific examples and visual analysis.