A book about the secret language of flowers

A book entitled Flower languagepublished in Bucharest in 1872, the proposal of ladies and ladies (to whom it was dedicated) to learn the grace of flowers: « This graceful means of correspondence (…), stronger than writing and speaking », to send messages to loved ones. The dedication came « from a sincere and devoted friend of them », which signs only « a Romanian ». Thanks to the subsequent re -editions, we know that the author of this little floriography treaty, meant to initiate the romantic threads in the secret language of flowers, is Veturia M. Florentiu (1846-1876) Writer, mother and teacher, loving flowers and poetry.

The author shows that by the « language of flowers » he understands: « a symbolic word in which the flowers, whether isolated or united in some way, serve to express a thought, a secret feeling; for example: the white ros expresses silence; the lily, the majesty, the modesty, etc. ». The transmission of love messages or conspiracy through flowers has been used since ancient times in the societies dominated by restrictions and censorship. Born in the East, the floral language was also taken over by Europeans, being adapted to the local flora and enriched with new meanings. This refined means of communication was now depicted for the first time to the Romanian public, but he had been treated widely in specialized books published in France, in the first half of the 19th century. The first such works include « Le Lăgage des Fleurs » developed by the writer Louis-Aimé Martin (1782-1847) and printed in Paris in 1819, under the pseudonym « Madame Charlotte de Tour », quoted by Veturia Florentiu in his book.

Veturia Florentiu did not write the work to encourage flirtation or conspiracies, but for women to express themselves through the intercession of « the most noble and hot feelings, to strengthen the amorous (!) And the devotion of kinship and friendship. » In the first part of the work the author sketches the « portrait » of 15 of the most famous native plants, garden flowers or « forest » flowers. There are short stories in which he talks about the symbol assigned to each flower of ancient or modern authors, with references to historical or literary works in which some are mentioned. The author personifies the flowers, they dialog between them and with the readers, offering them moral teachings. The second part comprises two « vocabulary », the first organized by the name of the flowers, the second, according to their significance.

Through the « vegetable » correspondence could be sent wishes of onomastic days, encouragement for a « friend » suffering, congratulations on the occasion of bringing a child to the world and even an invitation at lunch. Although the author avoids the subject, it is understood that the floral language could also be used for love messages. Where an unknown saw only a bouquet of smallness, the one initiated read: « I think of you! ». Vanilla flowers said, « I love you more than myself, » the blue (Myozotis): « Don’t forget! », While the flower of the eye of the bull transmitted: « I share your feelings. »

Due to the modest financial means of the Florentiu family, the book, which talks so much about flowers and colors, appeared without illustrations, and the paper that has been printed is of poor quality. The author’s desire to publish it quickly, to give it in the « New Year 1872 » gift, made the text (116 pages) elaborated in a hurry. He apologizes that he worked only three months in his writing, but promises large completions at the next edition. The rush of the Veturia was justified, because her health was worsening. On March 9, 1876, at only 29 years old, he died from a « malicious disease », as shown in the biographical note from the second edition in 1877. The new edition of Flower languagealso accompanied by the portrait of Veturia, was published by his husband, Professor Marin C. Florentiu. It was « revised and added by Parascheva C. Florentiu », the second « consort » (wife) of Marin C. Florentiu. A third edition appeared under its care in 1888.

In the biographical note it is shown that Veturia M. Florentiu: « It has led a modest and candidate life, just like a viorica. » Born in Câmpulung Muscel on December 27, 1846 Veturia Manolescu, as he was called before marriage, learned to read and write from her brothers, then from 1858, until 1860 he continued his studies in particular with Marin C. Florentiu, at that time a school reviewer of Muscel County. He married him on April 24, 1860 and from October 1860, until 1869 he was a teacher and director at the public schools in Alexandria and Ploiești. Due to the health problems, in 1869 he resigned from education and together with his family settled in Bucharest, where his husband continued his teaching career, elaborating several school textbooks.

In addition to the profession and the growth of the three children, Veturia dedicated time to literary activity. He wrote poems, published articles and translations from French to the press. His poems dedicated to flowers have attracted the attention of literary historians, who noted « a certain refinement, soul if not literary, in the suggestion of the mysteries, of the symbols that each flower closes » (The dictionary of the Romanian literature from the origins, until 1900Bucharest, 1970, p. 359).

Article written by Daniela Lupu/MMB Library

Source Illustrations: MMB Library