Why Do We Give Flowers for Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is celebrated every year on February 14th. For many, it’s a time to express affection to a loved one through cards, flowers, or chocolates. While most people know the story of Saint Valentine, few understand why flowers, in particular, are the gift of choice for this holiday.
In the early 18th century, Swedish King Charles XII found himself in Isfahan, a city of poetry, gardens, and Persian culture. Charles, known as a fierce warrior, harbored a hidden romantic side. As he strolled through the lush gardens, he discovered an ancient art – the language of flowers. In Persia, flowers conveyed more than beauty; they carried messages, whispered secrets, and expressed emotions.
Separated from his countess in Sweden due to political tensions, Charles was unable to send her written messages. With the help of a Persian court poet, he crafted a bouquet and sent it through trusted merchants. The arrangement included:
- Red tulips – a declaration of love
- Hyacinths – regret and longing
- Blue irises – a message of hope
- Myrtle – a promise of fidelity
- Fragrant Damask roses – undying passion
When the bouquet reached the countess in Stockholm, she understood that the flowers were not just a gift but a coded letter of yearning. Charles eventually returned to Sweden, bringing with him the Persian art of floriography – the language of flowers, where specific blooms and their combinations expressed hidden meanings and emotions.
Though a warrior at heart, Charles’ introduction of this tradition spread among Swedish nobility and later influenced the Victorian enthusiasm for the language of flowers across Europe.
This is why flowers remain a timeless gift for Valentine’s Day to this day.
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