The language of flowers was commonly used to send messages in Victorian England. It involved a complex code tied to the type of flower, the number of flowers present, and even the way in which the flowers were carried. Unfortunately it fell almost entirely out of use, and it is suspected that part of the reason is due to the code becoming too complicated for anyone to keep track of.

Some aspects of this beautiful tradition have survived until the modern day, however. Everyone knows that red roses are sent as a message of love, and carnations are used on Mother’s Day to send a message of gratitude and familial love.