The Language of Flowers Encyclopedia is a three-volume illustrated history of the books, authors, and meanings of 2,870 flowers, herbs, trees, and emojis. Rooted in folklore, mythology, literature, history, and the physical characteristics of plants, the language of flowers is a rich literary tradition of associating flowers with symbolic meanings. Spanning ancient times to the present, with special emphasis on nineteenth-century language of flowers books, this encyclopedia draws on 317 references and the author's forty years of experience as a writer and creator of Literary Calligraphy(R) artwork. A work of remarkable breadth and beauty, The Language of Flowers Encyclopedia is a landmark work in the field, a uniquely illustrated and unparalleled reference for book collectors, botanists, historians, and flower lovers.
Volume 2 delves into the historical roots and sources of flower symbolism, examining thirty-eight nineteenth-century language of flowers books while addressing questions and mysteries surrounding the tradition's development.
Divided into seven chapters, the volume opens with "Historic Roots of the Language of Flowers," exploring how Chinese, Japanese, and Western flower calendars, along with the Turkish language of flowers and objects, shaped nineteenth-century European and North American flower associations. "Sources of Flower Symbolism" identifies the diverse antecedents of flower meanings, including plant characteristics, historical events, literature, folklore, mythology, religious traditions, and plant use. "Illustrations in Language of Flowers Books" presents 232 illustrations from historic books and identifies the artists and designers who created them.
"Conundrums and Other Curiosities" tackles the challenge of dating books without publication dates, establishing which was the first North American language of flowers book, and identifying typographical errors and obscure flowers. The "Copycats and Copyright" chapter offers a revealing case study of nineteenth-century publishing, when copyright protection was nonexistent or routinely ignored. It discloses the outcome of a lawsuit between two publishing companies over copyright infringement and identifies instances in which entire dictionaries or whole sections of previously published books were appropriated.
With its rich historical research, examination of 38 books and 232 illustrations, Volume 2 is an unrivaled work of scholarship, illuminating the origins and inner workings of the language of flowers tradition with unmatched depth.