 The Flower Language of Neovia
by mollyscribbles
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Give a Neovian a cherry blossom, and they will suspect you are trying to fool them. Give them a dragonbud, and they will see it as a compliment. Flower Language is not a means of communication widely seen outside of Neovia - sure, here and there you might find a land that attaches some meaning to a specific plant, but nothing to this extent. I first became aware of it when my bookworm Lupe, Millicent, asked me about a reference she had come across in a few of her volumes from the Neovian Press. My research into this seemingly simple question proved to be quite fascinating. Among the traditions of Neovia, the flower language is one that is rarely mentioned outside of the town but widely known among its inhabitants. It is, effectively, a way of communicating coded messages through blooms, plants, and floral arrangements. Each plant carries its own hidden meaning, from a single descriptive word to a more nuanced intent. It has long been tradition that those who (for one reason or another) were unable to speak directly in Neovian society would pass each other floral symbols as a way of communicating without arousing suspicion. During its height in popularity, Neovian florists and plant nurseries found themselves sold out of all but the least popular varieties, which is likely the cause of synonym meanings arising from what was left (though, given the secretive nature of the language, distribution of the new meanings would prove tricky, leading to much confusion). Unfortunately, multiple volumes from different publishers (most of which are now out of print for reasons that may be related) claiming to decipher the floral meanings were available, and the publishers did not bother consulting with one another about what one blossom or another might represent. As a result, it was sadly common for friendships to end simply because each party was working with a different volume - an attempt to compliment their new hat might become translated as an accusation of arrogance. The problem was compounded by the fact that, given the participants had resorted to communicating via floral arrangements, a simple conversation would not be able to clear things up. While the obvious issues meant the popularity soon faded, many meanings stood the test of time and have fallen into common use. After countless interviews and referencing several surviving flower dictionaries, I have done my best to determine the more generally agreed upon meanings, though I will avoid the false claims of prior writers and offer the disclaimer that this list is by no means complete or universal. Aurora Lily: Zeal and drive Asparagus: Worth above beauty Autumn Sunset Daisy: Farewell Bamboo: Luck Black Roses: Thank you for lending me your Twisted Roses album. Bleeding Heart: Spurned affection Blue Columbine: Folly Blue Fan Flowers Blue Twister: My thoughts are tangled Bluebells: Music Bluesticks: Virtue in the unappealing Blumbs: Brightness in a dark time Boadaisy: Injustice Budseed: I find you annoying Cabbage: Profit Chartreuse Puffs: Lightheartedness Cherry Blossom: Deception Chick-a-daisy: Odd friendship Cloud Meerca Flower: You have a lovely tail Colour Changing Tulips: My feelings are dynamic Colour Lilies: Please consider the matter carefully Curly Vine: I cannot escape this problem Cyclamen: Diffidence Dandelion: Rustic oracle Drabby Rose: Gloom Dragonbud: Strength within beauty Dreary Lily: Congratulations on your grey paint brush Dunkydoos: I wish you luck in your training Electric Daffodil: Inspiration Exploding Pod Plant: You have an explosive temper Extra Wild Orchid: Enthusiasm Faerie Yooyu Flower: Congratulations on your Altador Cup standing Faeriewing Plant: Delicacy Feather Weds: Beauty in adversity Fernplant: Fascination Fire Flower: Intensity Flea Grass: You irritate me Floating Cactus Flower: Biting wit Furrn: Creature comforts Fuzz Collars: You have a knack for accessorizing Geraptiku Fly Trap: I hope your petpetpet infestation clears up soon Gardenias: Hope Gloomacinth: Sorrow Gnome Hat Plant: Good luck at Daily Dare Golden Fernsprout: Allure Gurple Bush: I have come to accept your decision to be painted Swamp Gas Holly: Foresight Jewel Blossom: You are a rare gem Kau Slips: Pensiveness Kissing Stem: Our love will not be silenced Kougra Lily: Pride Large Purple Poppies: Imagination Lazydels: Indifference Lightning Fern: Magic Lilacs: Humility Lily of the Valley: Return of happiness Lost Desert Sunflower: Loyalty Lovepetal: Lurve Magenta Tulips: Prosperity Mighty Marigolds: Hard work Mordongos: Vigor Mutant Yooyu flower: My sympathies on your disastrous performance at the Altador Cup. Mysterious Potted Flower: you are an enigma to me Negg Muncher: I feel you gathered more than your fair share at the annual Negg Hunt Oozing Tulip: Hopeless affection Orb plant: Fascination Pebeanjay Flowers: Commonplace Perfume Mallows: Delicate pleasures Pineflower: Rare beauty Pink Cyclamen: Resignation Pink Hibiscus: Friendship Pink Hydrangea: Heartfelt emotion Pink Lily: Ambition Pink Morning Glory: Mortality Pink Poppy: Luxury Plurby: I declare against you Primula: Prohibition Pretty Pink Puff: Hidden Depths Purple Columbine: Resolved to win Purple Frillix: Fickleness Purple Hydrangea: Desire for deeper understanding Purple Poppies: Success Purple Whirlygig: Nonsensical Pyrmat: Dependability Rainbow Anthurium: Happiness Rainbow Morning Flower: You bring colour to my life Red Poppies: Death Red Walking Flower: Independence Rhubarb: Advice Ring Vine: Forgetfulness Rock Tree: Hardiness Rowzez: Uncertain - everyone I asked gave me a different meaning Rude Daffodil: Your slight has not been forgotten Savage Daffodil: I still hold a grudge Scented Hearts Flower: Justice shall be done you Sillie Daisy: Childish innocence Sleeping Blossoms: Exhaustion Snake Rose: Horror Snap Draiks: Presumption Snow Yooyu Flower: Your dedication to practising in the off-season is admirable Song Flowers: The witching soul of music Space Faerie Flower: Safety Spectral Flower: You haunt me Sponderolas: Your charms are engraven on my heart Spotted Daffodil: Creativity Spring Beauty: Renewal Star of Paradise Flower: Variety Starflower: You are radiant Strawberry Plant: Esteem Sunday Bush: You are more appealing the less often we meet Sunflower: Haughtiness Swab Bush: Your hygiene needs work Swirlypop Plant: Mental beauty Toweringbud: Attachment Tropical Flower Plant: Demanding Twirly Plant: Mystery White Daffodil: Memory White Lulu: Purity Wiltadendhron: Eager to please Wither Tree: Sickliness Wocky Glove: Insincerity Yellow Daffodil: Inner reflection Yellow Crocus: Joy Yellow Eesa: Wish for riches Yellow Poppy: My bane Yolkalia: Nourishing affection Zobamint: Virtue This list is only a start! You can see how different blooms can combine to pass along a more complex message; for example, a mix of Spring Beauty and Song Flowers would express your interest in resuming choir practice. If you are interested in reading stories involving Neovian Flower Language, check out the Neovian Press volumes that inspired Millicent to learn about this subject, including A Brief History of Neovia, Dark Book, Neovian Darkfall, and Stories From Beyond.
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