Post by mollyscribbles on Mar 22, 2020 13:42:28 GMT -5
a Conversation in Bouquets: the Flower Language of Neovia
Give a Neovian a cherry blossom, and they will suspect you are trying to fool them. Give them a dragonbud, and they will see it as a compliment. Flower Language is not a means of communication widely seen outside of Neovia - sure, here and there you might find a land that attaches some meaning to a specific plant, but nothing to this extent. I first became aware of it when my bookworm Lupe, Millicent, asked me about a reference she had come across in a few of her volumes from the Neovian Press. My research into this seemingly simple question proved to be quite fascinating.
Among the traditions of Neovia, the flower language is one that is rarely mentioned outside of the town but widely known among its inhabitants. It is, effectively, a way of communicating coded messages through blooms, plants, and floral arrangements. Each plant carries its own hidden meaning, from a single descriptive word to more nuanced intent. It has long been tradition that those who (for one reason or another) were unable to speak directly in Neovian society would pass each other floral symbols as a way of communicating without arousing suspicion.
During its height in popularity, Neovian florists and plant nurseries found themselves sold out of all but the least popular varieties, which is likely the cause of synonym meanings arising from what was left (though, given the secretive nature of the language, distribution of the new meanings would prove tricky, leading to much confusion).
Unfortunately, multiple volumes from different publishers (most of which are now out of print for reasons that may be related) claiming to decipher the floral meanings were available, and the publishers did not bother consulting with one another about what one blossom or another might represent. As a result, it was sadly common for friendships to end simply because each party was working with a different volume - an attempt to compliment their new hat might become translated as an accusation of arrogance. The problem was compounded by the fact that, given the participants had resorted to communicating via floral arrangements, a simple conversation would not be able to clear things up.
While the obvious issues meant the popularity soon faded, many meanings stood the test of time and have fallen into common use.
After countless interviews and referencing several surviving flower dictionaries, I have done my best to determine the more generally agreed upon meanings, though I will avoid the false claims of prior writers and offer the disclaimer that this list is by no means complete or universal.
Aurora Lily: Zeal and drive
Asparagus: Worth above beauty
Autumn Sunset Daisy: Farewell
Bamboo: Luck
Black Roses: Thank you for lending me your Twisted Roses album.
Bleeding Heart: Spurned affection
Blue Columbine: Folly
Blue Fan Flowers
Blue Twister: My thoughts are tangled
Bluebells: Music
Bluesticks: Virtue in the unappealing
Blumbs: Brightness in a dark time
Boadaisy: Injustice
Budseed: I find you annoying
Cabbage: Profit
Chartreuse Puffs: Lightheartedness
Cherry Blossom: Deception
Chick-a-daisy: Odd friendship
Cloud Meerca Flower: You have a lovely tail
Colour Changing Tulips: My feelings are dynamic
Colour Lilies: Please consider the matter carefully
Curly Vine: I cannot escape this problem
Cyclamen: Diffidence
Dandelion: Rustic oracle
Drabby Rose: Gloom
Dragonbud: Strength within beauty
Dreary Lily: Congratulations on your grey paint brush
Dunkydoos: I wish you luck in your training
Electric Daffodil: Inspiration
Exploding Pod Plant: You have an explosive temper
Extra Wild Orchid: Enthusiasm
Faerie Yooyu Flower: Congratulations on your Altador Cup standing
Faeriewing Plant: Delicacy
Feather Weeds: Beauty in adversity
Fernplant: Fascination
Fire Flower: Intensity
Flea Grass: You irritate me
Floating Cactus Flower: Biting wit
Furrn: Creature comforts
Fuzz Collars: You have a knack for accessorizing
Geraptiku Fly Trap: I hope your petpetpet infestation clears up soon
Gardenias: Hope
Gloomacinth: Sorrow
Gnome Hat Plant: Good luck at Daily Dare
Golden Fernsprout: Allure
Gurple Bush: I have come to accept your decision to be painted Swamp Gas
Holly: Foresight
Jewel Blossom: You are a rare gem
Kau Slips: Pensiveness
Kissing Stem: Our love will not be silenced
Kougra Lily: Pride
Large Purple Poppies: Imagination
Lazydels: Indifference
Lightning Fern: Magic
Lilacs: Humility
Lily of the Valley: Return of happiness
Lost Desert Sunflower: Loyalty
Lovepetal: Lurve
Magenta Tulips: Prosperity
Mighty Marigolds: Hard work
Mordongos: Vigor
Mutant Yooyu flower: My sympathies on your disastrous performance at the Altador Cup.
Mysterious Potted Flower: you are an enigma to me
Negg Muncher: I feel you gathered more than your fair share at the annual Negg Hunt
Oozing Tulip: Hopeless affection
Orb plant: Fascination
Pebeanjay Flowers: Commonplace
Perfume Mallows: Delicate pleasures
Pineflower: Rare beauty
Pink Cyclamen: Resignation
Pink Hibiscus: Friendship
Pink Hydrangea: Heartfelt emotion
Pink Lily: Ambition
Pink Morning Glory: Mortality
Pink Poppy: Luxury
Plurby: I declare against you
Primula: Prohibition
Pretty Pink Puff: Hidden Depths
Purple Columbine: Resolved to win
Purple Frillix: Fickleness
Purple Hydrangea: Desire for deeper understanding
Purple Poppies: Success
Purple Whirlygig: Nonsensical
Pyrmat: Dependability
Rainbow Anthurium: Happiness
Rainbow Morning Flower: You bring colour to my life
Red Poppies: Death
Red Walking Flower: Independence
Rhubarb: Advice
Ring Vine: Forgetfulness
Rock Tree: Hardiness
Rowzez: Uncertain - everyone I asked gave me a different meaning
Rude Daffodil: Your slight has not been forgotten
Savage Daffodil: I still hold a grudge
Scented Hearts Flower: Justice shall be done you
Sillie Daisy: Childish innocence
Sleeping Blossoms: Exhaustion
Snake Rose: Horror
Snap Draiks: Presumption
Snow Yooyu Flower: Your dedication to practising in the off-season is admirable
Song Flowers: The witching soul of music
Space Faerie Flower: Safety
Spectral Flower: You haunt me
Sponderolas: Your charms are engraven on my heart
Spotted Daffodil: Creativity
Spring Beauty: Renewal
Star of Paradise Flower: Variety
Starflower: You are radiant
Strawberry Plant: Esteem
Sunday Bush: You are more appealing the less often we meet
Sunflower: Haughtiness
Swab Bush: Your hygiene needs work
Swirlypop Plant: Mental beauty
Toweringbud: Attachment
Tropical Flower Plant: Demanding
Twirly Plant: Mystery
White Daffodil: Memory
White Lulu: Purity
Wiltadendhron: Eager to please
Wither Tree: Sickliness
Wocky Glove: Insincerity
Yellow Daffodil: Inner reflection
Yellow Crocus: Joy
Yellow Eesa: Wish for riches
Yellow Poppy: My bane
Yolkalia: Nourishing affection
Zobamint: Virtue
This list is only a start! You can see how different blooms can combine to pass along a more complex message; for example, a mix of Spring Beauty and Song Flowers would express your interest in resuming choir practice.
If you are interested in reading stories involving Neovian Flower Language, check out the Neovian Press volumes that inspired Millicent to learn about this subject, including A Brief History of Neovia, Dark Book, Neovian Darkfall, and Stories From Beyond.
Give a Neovian a cherry blossom, and they will suspect you are trying to fool them. Give them a dragonbud, and they will see it as a compliment. Flower Language is not a means of communication widely seen outside of Neovia - sure, here and there you might find a land that attaches some meaning to a specific plant, but nothing to this extent. I first became aware of it when my bookworm Lupe, Millicent, asked me about a reference she had come across in a few of her volumes from the Neovian Press. My research into this seemingly simple question proved to be quite fascinating.
Among the traditions of Neovia, the flower language is one that is rarely mentioned outside of the town but widely known among its inhabitants. It is, effectively, a way of communicating coded messages through blooms, plants, and floral arrangements. Each plant carries its own hidden meaning, from a single descriptive word to more nuanced intent. It has long been tradition that those who (for one reason or another) were unable to speak directly in Neovian society would pass each other floral symbols as a way of communicating without arousing suspicion.
During its height in popularity, Neovian florists and plant nurseries found themselves sold out of all but the least popular varieties, which is likely the cause of synonym meanings arising from what was left (though, given the secretive nature of the language, distribution of the new meanings would prove tricky, leading to much confusion).
Unfortunately, multiple volumes from different publishers (most of which are now out of print for reasons that may be related) claiming to decipher the floral meanings were available, and the publishers did not bother consulting with one another about what one blossom or another might represent. As a result, it was sadly common for friendships to end simply because each party was working with a different volume - an attempt to compliment their new hat might become translated as an accusation of arrogance. The problem was compounded by the fact that, given the participants had resorted to communicating via floral arrangements, a simple conversation would not be able to clear things up.
While the obvious issues meant the popularity soon faded, many meanings stood the test of time and have fallen into common use.
After countless interviews and referencing several surviving flower dictionaries, I have done my best to determine the more generally agreed upon meanings, though I will avoid the false claims of prior writers and offer the disclaimer that this list is by no means complete or universal.
Aurora Lily: Zeal and drive
Asparagus: Worth above beauty
Autumn Sunset Daisy: Farewell
Bamboo: Luck
Black Roses: Thank you for lending me your Twisted Roses album.
Bleeding Heart: Spurned affection
Blue Columbine: Folly
Blue Fan Flowers
Blue Twister: My thoughts are tangled
Bluebells: Music
Bluesticks: Virtue in the unappealing
Blumbs: Brightness in a dark time
Boadaisy: Injustice
Budseed: I find you annoying
Cabbage: Profit
Chartreuse Puffs: Lightheartedness
Cherry Blossom: Deception
Chick-a-daisy: Odd friendship
Cloud Meerca Flower: You have a lovely tail
Colour Changing Tulips: My feelings are dynamic
Colour Lilies: Please consider the matter carefully
Curly Vine: I cannot escape this problem
Cyclamen: Diffidence
Dandelion: Rustic oracle
Drabby Rose: Gloom
Dragonbud: Strength within beauty
Dreary Lily: Congratulations on your grey paint brush
Dunkydoos: I wish you luck in your training
Electric Daffodil: Inspiration
Exploding Pod Plant: You have an explosive temper
Extra Wild Orchid: Enthusiasm
Faerie Yooyu Flower: Congratulations on your Altador Cup standing
Faeriewing Plant: Delicacy
Feather Weeds: Beauty in adversity
Fernplant: Fascination
Fire Flower: Intensity
Flea Grass: You irritate me
Floating Cactus Flower: Biting wit
Furrn: Creature comforts
Fuzz Collars: You have a knack for accessorizing
Geraptiku Fly Trap: I hope your petpetpet infestation clears up soon
Gardenias: Hope
Gloomacinth: Sorrow
Gnome Hat Plant: Good luck at Daily Dare
Golden Fernsprout: Allure
Gurple Bush: I have come to accept your decision to be painted Swamp Gas
Holly: Foresight
Jewel Blossom: You are a rare gem
Kau Slips: Pensiveness
Kissing Stem: Our love will not be silenced
Kougra Lily: Pride
Large Purple Poppies: Imagination
Lazydels: Indifference
Lightning Fern: Magic
Lilacs: Humility
Lily of the Valley: Return of happiness
Lost Desert Sunflower: Loyalty
Lovepetal: Lurve
Magenta Tulips: Prosperity
Mighty Marigolds: Hard work
Mordongos: Vigor
Mutant Yooyu flower: My sympathies on your disastrous performance at the Altador Cup.
Mysterious Potted Flower: you are an enigma to me
Negg Muncher: I feel you gathered more than your fair share at the annual Negg Hunt
Oozing Tulip: Hopeless affection
Orb plant: Fascination
Pebeanjay Flowers: Commonplace
Perfume Mallows: Delicate pleasures
Pineflower: Rare beauty
Pink Cyclamen: Resignation
Pink Hibiscus: Friendship
Pink Hydrangea: Heartfelt emotion
Pink Lily: Ambition
Pink Morning Glory: Mortality
Pink Poppy: Luxury
Plurby: I declare against you
Primula: Prohibition
Pretty Pink Puff: Hidden Depths
Purple Columbine: Resolved to win
Purple Frillix: Fickleness
Purple Hydrangea: Desire for deeper understanding
Purple Poppies: Success
Purple Whirlygig: Nonsensical
Pyrmat: Dependability
Rainbow Anthurium: Happiness
Rainbow Morning Flower: You bring colour to my life
Red Poppies: Death
Red Walking Flower: Independence
Rhubarb: Advice
Ring Vine: Forgetfulness
Rock Tree: Hardiness
Rowzez: Uncertain - everyone I asked gave me a different meaning
Rude Daffodil: Your slight has not been forgotten
Savage Daffodil: I still hold a grudge
Scented Hearts Flower: Justice shall be done you
Sillie Daisy: Childish innocence
Sleeping Blossoms: Exhaustion
Snake Rose: Horror
Snap Draiks: Presumption
Snow Yooyu Flower: Your dedication to practising in the off-season is admirable
Song Flowers: The witching soul of music
Space Faerie Flower: Safety
Spectral Flower: You haunt me
Sponderolas: Your charms are engraven on my heart
Spotted Daffodil: Creativity
Spring Beauty: Renewal
Star of Paradise Flower: Variety
Starflower: You are radiant
Strawberry Plant: Esteem
Sunday Bush: You are more appealing the less often we meet
Sunflower: Haughtiness
Swab Bush: Your hygiene needs work
Swirlypop Plant: Mental beauty
Toweringbud: Attachment
Tropical Flower Plant: Demanding
Twirly Plant: Mystery
White Daffodil: Memory
White Lulu: Purity
Wiltadendhron: Eager to please
Wither Tree: Sickliness
Wocky Glove: Insincerity
Yellow Daffodil: Inner reflection
Yellow Crocus: Joy
Yellow Eesa: Wish for riches
Yellow Poppy: My bane
Yolkalia: Nourishing affection
Zobamint: Virtue
This list is only a start! You can see how different blooms can combine to pass along a more complex message; for example, a mix of Spring Beauty and Song Flowers would express your interest in resuming choir practice.
If you are interested in reading stories involving Neovian Flower Language, check out the Neovian Press volumes that inspired Millicent to learn about this subject, including A Brief History of Neovia, Dark Book, Neovian Darkfall, and Stories From Beyond.