Flowers have been depicted as objects of beauty and wonder in countless paintings and poems, exchanged as tokens of love and affection, and displayed as symbols of both celebration and remembrance. But how does the significance of flowers vary across cultures and at different points in history? And what makes certain flowers special? The Secret Language of Flowers explores the meaning of more than 80 flowers, tracing their history as symbols and charting their role in folklore and mythology around the world. Uncover the rich and fascinating histories of individual flowers. Learn about the function of flowers in society, from the practical to the playful, and as a means of sending cryptic communications. Quirky, accessible, and informative, this book is an entertaining guide to the rich stories that lie beyond the seductive aromas and dazzling beauty of flowers of all kinds.