Once I spoke the language of the flowers...

The symbolism of lavender is devotion, purity, solitude or distrust.

Traditionally, sprigs of lavender were placed in the hands of women in labour. Squeezing the fragrant bundles was said to give them strength and courage during childbirth. Lavender posies were given to newly-married couples to bring good luck and sprinkling dried lavender flowers in the home is said to bring peacefulness.

Folk magic is associated with lavender. Carrying or inhaling lavender was reported to enable one to see ghosts. A sprig of lavender carried in combination with a sprig of rosemary was said to preserve chastity. Lavender was also worn as protection against the evil eye.

During Roman times, flowers were sold for 100 denarii per pound, which was about the same as a month’s wages for a farm labourer, or fifty haircuts from the local barber. Lavender was commonly used in Roman baths to scent the water, and it was thought to restore the skin. The Greeks discovered early on that lavender if crushed and treated correctly would release a relaxing fume when burned.