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"Is this all real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"
The topic of this article is of a real-life subject that has been mentioned "in-universe" in a canon source. The Harry Potter Wiki is written from the perspective that all information presented in canon is true (e.g., Hogwarts really existed), and, as such, details contained in this article may differ from real world facts. |
Severus Snape using floriography
- "The Victorian language of flowers was used back in the 1800s to send meaningful messages, convey deep secrets and share moments. Nearly every flower has a special meaning and, in times when some words could not be spoken aloud, bouquets would say a thousand words."
- — Description[src]
The language of flowers, as known as floriography, was a means of cryptological communication through the use or arrangement of flowers. Interest in floriography soared in Victorian England and in the United States during the 19th century.[1]
Known meanings[]
Asphodel and wormwood[]
Asphodel was a type of lily and meant 'remembered beyond the tomb' or 'my regrets follow you to the grave' while wormwood was often associated with regret or bitterness.[2]
On 2 September 1991, Severus Snape asked his student Harry Potter a question about asphodel and wormwood, to which Harry was unable to answer.[3] However, unbeknownst to him, Snape was using the language of flowers to express how regretful he was for Harry's mother Lily's death.
Monkshood and wolfsbane[]
In the same class, Snape also asked Harry the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane. It was perhaps a more poignant sentence when looked at through the language of flowers. Monkshood was associated with 'chivalry' while wolfsbane can mean 'misanthropy' or a dislike of others.[2][3]
Here it could be said that Snape was comparing the heroic actions of Lily Potter with Snape's own distrustful nature. Or even perhaps between Harry and himself.[2]
Individuals with names after flowers[]
Lily Potter[]
Lily Evans as a young child
A lily can be interpreted as 'beauty, elegance, sweetness'. This striking flower was easy to grow, as long as it was planted in the right place. They also, according to gardening manuals, made wonderful cut flowers.[2]
Petunia Dursley[]
Susceptible to damage and best grown in a container or basket, the petunia required shelter from the wind and plenty of light. It was also a flower that could, in the language of flowers, represent 'resentment and anger'.[2]
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
- Wizarding World (First identified as Language of flowers)
Notes and references[]
- ↑
Language of flowers on Wikipedia
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Lily, Petunia and the language of flowers - Wizarding World
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 8 (The Potions Master)