Poppies are August’s flower & their fiery petals evoke the heat of the month. Though often found thriving in humble places, this striking flower has captivated since they were first grown circa 6000 BC. Poppies are best known for the opiate effect of their seeds, however, they hold a host of meanings beyond peaceful rest: a lively imagination, remembrance of the departed & extravagance, to name a few. In Greek mythology, the poppy represented messages delivered to people in dreams by the god Morpheus and in Eastern cultures they’re still given to new couples to bestow them with a deep, passionate love for one another.

“Floriography”: the language of flowers

Thousands of years of folklore, mythology & religious tradition have contributed to the meanings we ascribe to flowers today. Floriography peaked in popularity during the Victorian era when, armed with floral dictionaries, gentlemen would send cryptic messages to ladies with specific nosegays or tussie mussies called “talking bouquets”. 

Still today we have a tradition of birth month flowers, the meanings of which are rooted in floriography. Similar to zodiac signs or birthstones, it is believed you inherit the characteristics of the flower assigned to your birth month.