What are the traditional meanings of these flowers? Do they still mean the same things in contemporary times?
A daisy symbolizes purity and innocence.
Rosemary symbolizes remembrance.
Pansies represent thoughtfulness.
Fennel represents worthiness.
Columbine is symbolic of sensuality.
Rue symbolizes sorrow.
Violets are symbolic of mourning.
As you can see, today's representations are much the same as in Shakespeare's day.
“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray,
love, remember: and there is pansies. that’s for thoughts.
There’s fennel for you, and columbines: there’s rue
for you; and here’s some for me: we may call it
herb-grace o’ Sundays: O you must wear your rue with
a difference. There’s a daisy: I would give you
some violets, but they withered all when my father
died: they say he made a good end,–“
