2-3 花语（在线收听）

The Language of Flowers

Every flower tells a story. A red rose given to a true love, a daisy peeking out of a buttonhole, a bundle of violets handed demurely¹ to a crush² each conveys a different sentiment³.

Flowers, plants, and herbs have been used as symbols since antiquity⁴, but the romantic custom of using flowers to converse⁵ began to flourish in the 19th century. Courting⁶ couples used blooms to declare their affection even when the strict etiquette of the times prohibited them from speaking openly, a method of communicating that became nearly an art. An ill considered choice of blooms could leave a suitor’s⁷ amorous⁸ intention misunderstood, whereas the right flower needed no explanation. If a lady was given a spray of red tulips, for instance, she knew her gentleman caller was smitten⁹. If the ardor¹⁰ was returned, she might send him a bouquet of lilacs. But if she chose to respond with an arrangement of ivy, he’d realize a romance probably would not blossom.

The following is our guide to select the right blooms that speak for you.

Baby’s breath = Everlasting love

Calla lily = Magnificent beauty

Carnation = Pure love

Carnation (pink) = Woman’s love

Cornflower = Delicacy¹¹

Crocus = Cheerfulness

Daisy = Innocence

Forget-me-not = Remember me

Fuchsia = Confiding love

Geranium = True friendship

Hyacinth = Sport and play

Iris = I have a message for you

Ivy = Friendship

Jasmine (pink) = I attach myself to you

Jasmine (white) = Amiability¹²

Lilac = First emotions of love

Lily of the valley = Return of happiness

Mint = Virtue

Orchid = Beauty

Pansy = You’re in my thoughts

Peony = Bashful

Primrose = Youth

Rose = Love

Rose (white) = I am worthy of you

Rosemary = Remembrance

Snowdrop = Hope

Sweet William = Sensitivity

Tulip = Declaration of love

Tulip (pink) = Caring

Tulip (variegated) = Beautiful eyes

Violet (blue) = Faithfulness

注释：

1.demurely [di5mjuEli] adv. 庄重地，严肃地；装作害羞地

2.crush [krQF] n.〈口〉热恋的对象

3.sentiment [5sentimEnt] n. 感情，情绪；柔情

4.antiquity [An5tikwiti] n. （尤指中世纪前的）古代；古，古老

5.converse [kEn5vE:s] vi. 交谈，谈心；进行精神交流

6.court [kC:t] vt. 向…献殷勤；向……求爱（或求婚）；企图获得，追求

7.suitor [5sju:tE] n. 求婚者

8.amorous [5AmErEs] adj. 求爱的，表示爱情的，含情脉脉的

9.smite [smait] (p.p.smitten) vt. [常用被动语态]深深影响，打动，把……迷住

10.ardor [5B:dE] n.〈美〉=ardour （常指短暂、不稳定的）激情；情欲

11.delicacy [5delikEsi] n. 清秀；纤弱，娇弱

12.amiability [5eimjEbiliti] n. 和蔼可亲，令人愉悦

花语

　　一种花一个故事。红玫瑰献给真爱，雏菊从钮扣孔探出头来张望，一束紫罗兰庄严地递到梦中情人面前，不同的情感就这样得到传递。

　　早自古代，花朵、植物和香草就被用做象征物。但直到19世纪，用鲜花来交流情感的浪漫习俗才开始盛行。即便在礼教严格禁止男女之间公开表达情意的年代，谈情说爱的情侣们还是用鲜花来向对方示爱，这样的交流方式差不多成了一门艺术。如果花选择得不妥当，示爱者的满腔爱意就会遭到误解，而如果选择合适的花，就一切尽在不言中了。例如，如果一位女士收到一束红色郁金香，那么她知道送花的先生已经被她迷住了。如果她回赠他一束紫丁香，表明他的热诚得到了回应。但如果她回赠的是带有常春藤的花束，他该意识到这段罗曼史也许没有下文了。

下面是我们的一个“送花指南”，让你的心意得到恰如其分的表达。

满天星=天长地久的爱

马蹄莲=高贵之美

康乃馨=纯洁的爱

康乃馨（粉红色）=女人的爱

矢车菊=小鸟依人

藏红花=心情舒畅

雏菊=天真无邪

勿忘我=将我铭记

倒挂金钟=信赖的爱

天竺葵=真诚的友谊

风信子=运动玩耍

鸢尾=有话对你讲

常春藤=友谊

茉莉（粉红色）=我心属于你

茉莉（白色）=亲切可人

紫丁香=情窦初开

铃兰=幸福重现

薄荷=美德

兰花=美

三色堇=我牵挂你

牡丹=羞怯不安

玫瑰=爱

玫瑰（白色）=我值得你拥有

迷迭香=往事悠悠

雪花莲=希望

美国石竹=敏感

郁金香=爱的宣言

郁金香（粉红色）=关切

郁金香（杂色）=美丽双眸

紫罗兰（蓝色）=忠贞不二