THE LOVE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS: THE SECRET MESSAGE OF PANSIEShttps://static.wixstatic.com/media/645ded_a6cfe312b8ea4063b2753b592303fdca~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_224,h_224,al_c,lg_1,q_80/645ded

Written By:

Shane Wade, The Happy Horticulturist

At Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation, we believe flowers have a language that is all their own! Horticulture history tells us that for centuries, flowers have carried profound, significant societal symbolism, often serving as silent messengers of love, devotion, and remembrance.

The hidden history behind the mysteries, messages, meanings, secrets, and symbolism of one of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b’s (that’s us here in Metro-Jackson, Mississippi) most-popular and beloved favorite flowers is a fascinating story that’s sure to sprout interest in the mind of any gardener!

Read on below as we dig into “THE LOVE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS,” revealing how a bouquet of pretty pansies may present the recipient with a secret message!

THE LOVE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS

Among the many flowers known for harboring hidden meanings, there is one well-known, locally-loved favorite that stands out - not only for its beautiful blooms - but also for its association with deep thought, remembrance, and secret love: the pansy.

THE SECRET, HIDDEN MESSAGES OF PANSIES

The presentation of the pansy has historically been highlighted to hold profound significance and meaning for its recipient.

This was especially true during the Victorian era: a time when strict, mandatory adherence to societal etiquette often prohibited the open, public expression of certain emotions and desires that were considered to be taboo or unacceptable during this staunch time period.

Even the way a flower was presented to its recipient during this era had distinct meaning. For example, a presenter offering a bloom or bouquet with the right hand signified a “yes” to the recipient, while a left-handed offer meant the opposite - representing an emphatic “no.” -Shane Wade

As an alternative way of acceptably expressing emotions in a discreet, “low-key” manner, the Victorians developed a complex language related to flowers, utilizing specific blooms to convey secret messages.

*Whether presented as a symbol of deep friendship, unspoken affection, or secret longing, the pansy was known to carry messages of contemplation and remembrance.*

THE PANSY’S AFFECTIONATE ALIASES

This delicate bloom was, and still is, well-known by several other poetic aliases, some of which include the following popular nicknames:

“peeping tom”
“Johnny jump-ups”
“heartsease”
“love in idleness”

The latter name appears in the works of the famous, romantic English playwright William Shakespeare.

Pansies are believed to be one of Shakespeare’s favorite flower.

THE POETIC PANSY

Have you ever wished there was a magic potion that could make someone fall in love with you?

In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Oberon and Puck create a love potion out of pansy juice and put drops of it on the sleeping Demetrius’s eyes to make him fall in love with the first person he sees when he wakes.

In Hamlet, a distressed Ophelia distributes pansies, telling those around her: “And there is pansies; that's for thoughts” (Hamlet, Act 4 Scene 5).

So, why, you may ponder, does poor Ophelia associate the pansy with thoughts?

Shakespeare references pansies in “Hamlet,” further cementing the flower’s literary and romantic significance. — Shakespeare references pansies in *“Hamlet,”* further cementing the flower’s literary and romantic significance.

A FLOWER OF THOUGHTFULNESS

The name “pansy” is derived from the French word for thought, pensée, or from the French word penser, meaning “to think,” or “to ponder.”

True to its name, the pansy was traditionally given (either single-stemmed or in a bouquet) to let someone, usually the recipient, know they were being thought of by the giver.

PRETTY NEW LOOK PROMOTES THE PANSY’S POPULARITY

The pansy as we know it today looked a little different back in Tudor times. In 16th century England, the flower was also known as “heartsease.”

Unlike today’s pansy, the blossom was of a single colour. It wasn’t until 1839 when a gardener, William Thomson, created the pansy showing the three famous blotches on its petals by crossing three different flowers.

THE PEAK OF THE PANSY PASSION ERA

The new flower enjoyed immense popularity when introduced to the public.

People held pansy shows, built greenhouses, and at the height of the pansy passion, there were four hundred varieties of this flower!

Pansies were also a common flower found in Victorian tussie-mussies, which were small bouquets of flowers and herbs.

The tussie-mussie bouquets were often wrapped in doilies and carried to the nose to ward off bad smells.

Pansies were a favorite flower found in Victorian tussie-mussies.

MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY FLOWER

The Victorian Era fascination and passion for pansies even extended beyond the flower’s beautiful blooms, its multiple symbolic secrets and meanings, its literary significance, its medicinal benefits, and the rampant Victorian rumors related to it being a key ingredient in the concoction of secret love potions.

Pansies became so popular at one point in documented history, that the flower managed to muse its way into the artistic vision of many-a-renowned Victorian era jewelry designers’ coveted creations.

The flower became the mysterious, message-bearing focal point of expensive, fine jewelry pieces, often commissioned by the wealthy to portray a specific message.

Pansy motifs were featured in exquisite enameled designs, silver pieces, and even intricate gem-set petals that spelled out secret acrostic messages.

These bespoke jewelry pieces allowed wearers to subtly express emotions that could not be spoken aloud, further enhancing the flower’s mysterious legacy as a symbol of hidden affection.

Pansies were assigned secret meanings such as, “I am thinking of you or I have thoughts of you.” — Pansies were assigned secret meanings such as, *“I am thinking of you or I have thoughts of you.”*

A TIMELESS FLORAL MESSENGER

Today, the pansy remains a beloved garden favorite, especially here in Central Mississippi, carrying with it centuries of history and meaning.

Whether planted in flower beds, gifted in a bouquet, given by the stem, or admired in vintage jewelry, the pansy continues to portray and symbolize deep thought and affection to its lucky recipients!

Let’s Create Something Beautiful Together

At Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation, we celebrate the beauty and significance of all flowers, helping you create landscapes that tell a story. Whether you’re looking for specific flowers with deep and symbolic meaning, or if you simply desire a stunning, sustainable, pollinator-friendly garden display, our team is here to bring your outdoor space vision to life.

Call or text us today at 601-421-9713, or book your service online here for fast and easy scheduling!

The experts at Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation are are happy to design, install, maintain, update, or upgrade your outdoor space, ensuring that it suits your needs, goals, and budget.

“We have the expertise, experience, and equipment to handle any landscape, lawn care, or irrigation project, big or small.” - Shane Wade

CONTACT Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation to schedule an ON-SITE ESTIMATE APPOINTMENT.

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