MO DIFI C A TIO NS 
OF 
THE FLOWER LANGUAGE. 
F a flower be given reversed ,, its original significa¬ 
tion : 3 understood to be contradicted, and the 
opposite meaning to be implied. 
A rosebud divested of its thorns, but retaining its 
leaves, conveys the sentiment, “I fear no longer; I 
hope thorns signifying fears, and leaves, hopes. 
Stripped of leaves and thorns, the bud signifies, 
“ There is nothing to hope or fear.” 
The expression of flowers is also varied by changing 
their positions. Place a marigold on the head, and it 
signifies “ Mental anguish;” on the bosom, “ Indif¬ 
ference.” 
When a flower is given, the pronoun I is understood 
by bending it the right hand; thou , by inclining it to 
the left. 
“Yes” is implied by touching the flower given with 
the lips. 
“No,” by pinching off a petal, and casting it away. 
“ I am” is expressed by a laurel-leaf twisted round the 
bouquet 
