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Flower Fairies
Flower Fairies: The Meaning of Flowers
The Meaning of Flowers is a collection of flower mythology and plant lore. Each flower is listed alphabetically with its meaning, medicinal properties, related superstitions and even the recipes for ancient magic spells. Illustrated with Cicely Mary Barker's exquisite Flower Fairies, this book is a fascinating introduction to the mysterious and beautiful language of flowers and plants.
48 pages, Hardcover
Published September 1, 1996
3 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Cicely Mary Barker
272 books325 followersCicely Mary Barker was the illustrator who created the famous Flower Fairies; those ethereal smiling children with butterfly wings. As a child she was influenced by the works of the illustrator Kate Greenaway, whom she assiduously copied in her formative years. Her principal influence, however, was the artwork of the Pre-Raphaelites.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 19, 2021
This is a very cute books about flowers, their uses, and fairies. There are beautiful illustrations on each page. This is a nice little book for all ages!
May 4, 2017
1. It was so good that I wished there was more information on each flower and more flowers. I wish that each flower had folklore and fairylore. I see that this author has a bunch of these books so I'm sure it's in those.
2. The rest of this review is just going to be things I learned and liked.
3. Bee Orchis really does look like a little bee or fairy is in the center of the flower.
4. I play Dungeons and Dragons. Next time I'm in the woods I'm going to pick up some chicory and then be able to pick any lock and to make myself invisible. How do you like me now, Dungeon Master?! Same with Cowslip that lets you find fairy treasure and Forget-Me-Nots can open the treasure.
5. Next time I need to knock someone out, just going to go get some Crocus. No big deal.
6. Elder might be my favorite. It's equal parts terrifying and equal parts awesome. The first thing I thought of was, of course, Harry Potter and the Elder Wand. And then you read on, "There are virtually no safe uses of Elder wood. A garland of Elder hung on the front door will bring the devil into the house. Furniture should never be made of Elder wood, least of all cradles. The Elder fairies will pinch the child that lies in it black and blue, before pulling it out by its heels. Witches lurk beneath the branches, and Elders have the sinister habit of uprooting themselves after dark to stare through the windows of houses." THIS IS TERRIFYINGGGGGGGG!!!!! And then casually, "...an Elder tree is a good place to take shelter in a storm-it will never be struck by lightning because it is said to be the tree from which Christ's cross was made." This made me laugh, "...always ask the trees permission before taking a branch-witches are fond of transforming themselves into elder trees and it is never a good idea to offend a sorceress."
7. Forget-Me-Not: "The origin of this flower's name is based on an Austrian folk-tale. Two lovers were walking the bank of the Danube. The girl saw a pretty blue flower floating on the river and expressed her sadness that it would be swept away. Her lover leapt into the water to retrieve the flower, but was overcome by the waves and began to drown. He threw the flower to her saying with his last breath, 'Forget me not!'"
8. Okay, Gorse looks scary. These are seemingly pretty yellow flowers, but then BAM, long thorns underneath.
9. Hazel wands detecting water is pretty cool.
10. The other name for Heart's Ease is literally the best: Jump-up-and-kiss-me. It's like a Mary Chapin Carpenter song.
11. WARNING: Don't give people in the hospital Lilac. YOU MIGHT KILL THEM.
12. Mulberry, "The black Mulberry tree earned this meaning because it is such a slow growing tree that it was said that the person who planted it would not live to taste its fruit. This is probably just as well since the devil himself uses the berries to black his boots, and it is therefore considered most unlucky to eat them." Well okay then.
13. Most interesting etymology to me was the Narcissus. "A Greek legend tells of a beautiful shepherd who fell in love with his own reflection in a pond, and drowned when he tried to reach it. His body was turned into the Narcissus that we know today, which became a symbol of self-love and egotism."
14. Nightshade is neat because Nightlock from the Hunger Games is a mix between it and Hemlock.
15. Gross=Old Man's Beard. "...became the emblem of artifice because beggars used its stinging juices to cause ugly sores on their skin and so evoke greater pity and generosity from passers-by."
16. Love all things World War II, so the tulip really interested me. "During World War II, when the Dutch were starving under German occupation, Tulip bulbs shot up in price because they had become a life-saving food."
17. Interesting about the Wallflower. It grows wild in desolate places and climbs the walls of old ruins. Sort of like how if a person is a wallflower they listen and watch.
18. White Bindweed is so sweet, "The Bindweed is the emblem of humility because it is too shy to show its flowers until it has gained the support of another plant which it climbs."
19. White clover: "It will protect against being drafted into the military service." That is super specific.
2. The rest of this review is just going to be things I learned and liked.
3. Bee Orchis really does look like a little bee or fairy is in the center of the flower.
4. I play Dungeons and Dragons. Next time I'm in the woods I'm going to pick up some chicory and then be able to pick any lock and to make myself invisible. How do you like me now, Dungeon Master?! Same with Cowslip that lets you find fairy treasure and Forget-Me-Nots can open the treasure.
5. Next time I need to knock someone out, just going to go get some Crocus. No big deal.
6. Elder might be my favorite. It's equal parts terrifying and equal parts awesome. The first thing I thought of was, of course, Harry Potter and the Elder Wand. And then you read on, "There are virtually no safe uses of Elder wood. A garland of Elder hung on the front door will bring the devil into the house. Furniture should never be made of Elder wood, least of all cradles. The Elder fairies will pinch the child that lies in it black and blue, before pulling it out by its heels. Witches lurk beneath the branches, and Elders have the sinister habit of uprooting themselves after dark to stare through the windows of houses." THIS IS TERRIFYINGGGGGGGG!!!!! And then casually, "...an Elder tree is a good place to take shelter in a storm-it will never be struck by lightning because it is said to be the tree from which Christ's cross was made." This made me laugh, "...always ask the trees permission before taking a branch-witches are fond of transforming themselves into elder trees and it is never a good idea to offend a sorceress."
7. Forget-Me-Not: "The origin of this flower's name is based on an Austrian folk-tale. Two lovers were walking the bank of the Danube. The girl saw a pretty blue flower floating on the river and expressed her sadness that it would be swept away. Her lover leapt into the water to retrieve the flower, but was overcome by the waves and began to drown. He threw the flower to her saying with his last breath, 'Forget me not!'"
8. Okay, Gorse looks scary. These are seemingly pretty yellow flowers, but then BAM, long thorns underneath.
9. Hazel wands detecting water is pretty cool.
10. The other name for Heart's Ease is literally the best: Jump-up-and-kiss-me. It's like a Mary Chapin Carpenter song.
11. WARNING: Don't give people in the hospital Lilac. YOU MIGHT KILL THEM.
12. Mulberry, "The black Mulberry tree earned this meaning because it is such a slow growing tree that it was said that the person who planted it would not live to taste its fruit. This is probably just as well since the devil himself uses the berries to black his boots, and it is therefore considered most unlucky to eat them." Well okay then.
13. Most interesting etymology to me was the Narcissus. "A Greek legend tells of a beautiful shepherd who fell in love with his own reflection in a pond, and drowned when he tried to reach it. His body was turned into the Narcissus that we know today, which became a symbol of self-love and egotism."
14. Nightshade is neat because Nightlock from the Hunger Games is a mix between it and Hemlock.
15. Gross=Old Man's Beard. "...became the emblem of artifice because beggars used its stinging juices to cause ugly sores on their skin and so evoke greater pity and generosity from passers-by."
16. Love all things World War II, so the tulip really interested me. "During World War II, when the Dutch were starving under German occupation, Tulip bulbs shot up in price because they had become a life-saving food."
17. Interesting about the Wallflower. It grows wild in desolate places and climbs the walls of old ruins. Sort of like how if a person is a wallflower they listen and watch.
18. White Bindweed is so sweet, "The Bindweed is the emblem of humility because it is too shy to show its flowers until it has gained the support of another plant which it climbs."
19. White clover: "It will protect against being drafted into the military service." That is super specific.
March 2, 2017
A charming book with wonderful illustrations. I just wish it had more information on each of the flowers.
January 5, 2022
This book is adorable. It's a collection of common flowers, plants and trees listed alphabetically and describes the qualities they represent, superstitions linked to them as well as their various uses - weather in medicine or in various rituals and charms.
Some of the flowers and their respective fairies are accompanied by illustrations by Cicely Mary Barker and I remember them from her other books. When I didn't know some by their English names and there were no pictures, I ended up looking them up - recognising some instantly while others were quite unknown to me. It was fun and quite educational to learn about these new flowers. The Meaning of Flowers is a lovely, charming book for everyone that loves flowers, fairies and plant lore!
Some of the flowers and their respective fairies are accompanied by illustrations by Cicely Mary Barker and I remember them from her other books. When I didn't know some by their English names and there were no pictures, I ended up looking them up - recognising some instantly while others were quite unknown to me. It was fun and quite educational to learn about these new flowers. The Meaning of Flowers is a lovely, charming book for everyone that loves flowers, fairies and plant lore!
June 14, 2019
Flowers and Faeries—two of my favorite things. Loved this little book and all of the lovely illustrations by one of my favorite faerie artists.
March 24, 2020
Cure but rather thorough overview of popular flower meanings. A nice, small way to brighten the day.
August 30, 2021
Lovely illustrations
November 25, 2024
It's Halloween. And I am reading a fairy book. And I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews