"Be My Valentine?”: Flowers as a Love Language

MARIELLE NAVARRO

From the red rose being a widely famous declaration of “I love you” to something lesser known like edelweiss that signifies courage and devotion, flowers have been used by many to those around them how they truly feel. All the way in the past when people were more expected to not be so direct in words, flowers have been a common way to converse and express emotions to another. Until now, even if normal social customs are no longer needed to be so withheld, flowers are still used when saying what you mean is just not enough.

The language of flowers is fascinating in itself for having so many to choose from, a seemingly infinite array of options to be able to say what you feel. And yet, even if there are so many ways to use flowers to talk, they are mostly used to express a certain feeling especially in the contemporary world: love. Red roses are common, but there are also orchids that mean beauty and refinement, daisies that mean loyalty, and forget-me-nots that symbolize true love. These can be seen on one specific time, the day of love itself: Valentine’s Day. However, flowers of love can also transcend romance. We can see moments in life and history where flowers are given as a symbolic love. An example being people giving out yellow flowers to those in the military during the anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986. Most flowers in this color usually signifies joy, happiness, and friendship; an offering of peace for those known to train for war. It celebrates the preciousness of solidarity between those who fight for freedom through brawn and those who fight for freedom through gentler means for equal love of the country.

There are many other flowers that speak the language of love and each one eligible to be given to those who you love. A single bloom or a grand bouquet, love is not measured by the quantity but the intention behind every petal handed to you. Flowers have the ability to speak louder than words, and if you were asked a question in this form of fragrance and color, what would you say back? [R]