Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ll be using manicules (those pointing finger symbols) to direct your attention to something I’m pondering that delights or interests me. Each entry is somehow related to an unusual, obscure, or simply charming to me word.
W is for…
wallflower – 1) yellowish-red color 2) common name for Erysimum, a genus of climbing flowering plants 3) shy person
Oh, I do love a word with three (or more) definitions. Let’s see if we can find how these three definitions connect. The third definition (shy person) is how I first knew the word. It was years later when I wanted to know how wallflower was connected to a shy person, that I discovered it was a flower. And finally, most recently, in my studies of colors, particularly obscure and old colors, I came across its first definition.
In the 1570s wallflower came to describe a type of floweing plant cultivated in gardens, native to southern Europe, where it grows on old walls and in rocky places. The Latin name for this flower is Erysimum cheiri, although I imagine at some point, any flower suitable to growing on stone and masonry fences and walls became known simply as wallflowers.
Thanks to Gutenburg Project who has published online the 1884 edition of “Plant Lore, Legends, and Lyrics” I discovered the wallflower was first introduced from Spain as Wall Stock-Gillofer, which became known as Wall Gilliflower, and finally Wallflower. It also offers the legend that a fair maiden was kept prisoner in a tower. A suitor, who her father didn’t approve of, sang a song beneath her window and convinced her to climb out and run away with him. But as she tried to slide down the walls, she fell fell and died. Wallflowers sprang up from where she lay, and climbed the walls.
Henceforth minstrels and troubadours took to wearing a bouquet of wallflowers as a sign that their love survives time and misfortune.
Other lore suggested that dreams of wallflowers meant that the object of one’s affection would be true and constant; that a sick person would recovery soon; and if a woman dreams of picking a wallflower for her bouquet, the worthiest of her admirers had yet to propose to her.
Wallflower, and other plants of the Erysimum genus were initially used as medicinal plants, but by the time of floriography, the Victorian language of flowers, they were used to convey the meaning of “fidelity in adversity” and “enduring beauty” and “friendship.”
The above photo offers a glimpse at how wallflower became associated with the definition of the color yellow red.
The first recorded use of wallflower to describe as shy person is 1820. It meant a person who from shyness or unpopularity remains on the sidelines of a social activity, likely propped up against the wall.
I am unquestionably a wallflower – I’m incredibly shy, a happy recluse, and extremely introverted. I’m happy to press myself against a wall, preferably costumed in a color that blends with the wallpaper.
Years ago I played a wonderful collaborative “game” with a artist friend. We were somehow sharing an interest in textiles, storytelling, and collaborative work. So we each filled a number of pages in our respective journals with images of people in various clothing and snippets of fabulous fabrics. Then we’d trade journals and we’d write stories about the characters the other person had depicted. Sometimes we’d write stories and then the other person had to “illustrate” the character. It was tremendous fun, and it was such a delight when our own journals came back to us after a round and we could pore over what had been added.
I look through the journal periodically, and this is a page I created. The fabric is heavily textured, and the story my friend wrote is about a wallflower. It makes me laugh now to see that the color is very much wallflower too. I guess you could say I knew my true colors.
What about you? Are you a wallflower? Have a particularly favorite climbing flower? Is wallflower a color you like? Do tell – you know I’d love to hear.
Hari OM
(Hello – yes I’m here again!) In many respects I might be considered a wallflower as I am not overly social; then again, when there is company, I can blossom forth like the brightest rose… oh yes, that’s it; I’m happy enough to share the garden, but don’t think you can get too close and be unscathed! YAM xx
W=Window
Making me smile Yamini – that’s perfect!
My father was very fond of wallflowers and had them growing all the way up his front steps. (They’re very persistent and grow in all sorts of unlikely places, including cracks in walls.) He used to send me envelopes of seeds he’d saved and I have quite a few in my garden. They range from a bright lemony yellow to dark velvety brown. Gorgeous.
Front steps with wallflowers – that sounds glorious Kathleen! And how lovely you have them in your garden. That feels so delightfully English to me.
While I am an introvert I am one with what has been described as an extroverted personality meaning I can, and will, talk with people when I need to. Just not too often. I don’t care for that wallflower color, but I do like seeing purple morning glories climbing up a trellis.
I can see how the extroverted introvert description fits you Ally. I like morning glories as well. Once I had a fence filled with both morning glories and moonflowers – it was fabulous!
I didn’t realize that wallflower was a real flower! I’ve only associated it with a shy person. I’m not a wallflower at all; I’m extremely (too?) social. I’m surprised that you’re shy and introverted because it’s not the way you write which is bold and confident. Or are you all those things?
You’re probably correct Margaret, I’m a lot of things, but definitely not social. I thik perhpas I found my writing voice precisely because I am shy, but I’m also confident in the sense that I know who I am, I trust myself,
Definitely a wallflower here, possibly except when I am trying to sell my cards and things at a show, although I have to recuperate a day after. Love the journal page.
I don’t think I realized you’re a wallflower Janet. So extra kudos for doing shows to sell your cards. Good for you for knowing you’ll need a day to recover so you can schedule that in.
I like clematis as a climber — I have a successful vine that sprouts over an archway opposite my wistera and an unsuccessful one that is in a once-sunny/now-shaded area that does not climb at all but grants me a few blooms yearly regardless. 🙂
While I am not a “center of attention” person, I’m also not a wallflower. I more likely to just not attend an event than to go and then spend my time hanging back. Social occasions are uncomfortable for me; I do my duty where I feel I must but do so infrequently and never EVER “for fun.” Weddings, especially. Why do people think it’s fun to attend weddings? It’s not fun! (Being *in* the wedding is not fun either! Bridesmaiding is probably one of the least fun things I’ve ever done.)
Oh I’m swooning a bit – you have a wisteria and a clematis! I have a clematis that has been so lovely and productive for quite some time, but last year didn’t seem to thrive. I’m hoping it’ll perk up again this year.
You make smile in that we’re kindreds in so many ways. I’ve trained all my friends to understand that while I love them, it’s unlikely I’ll be attending parties.
What a beautiful print! The colour of these flowers are so vibrant and what a beautiful post about “being” a wallflower 🙂
Thanks Damyanti. Seeing the beautiful flowers makes me smile like I’m in on a secret, and now I see my fellow
“people wallflowers” a bit differently.
Wow. First time hearing that a wallflower is an actual flower. And I am almost 65! Always just thought it was a shy person. Thank you for teaching my old brain something.
One of the best things about the A-Z challenge is how much stuff I learn every April.