A REBELLION OF FLOWERS
WORDS BY LAURA BAYLISS
Flowers have long been used as symbols of revolution – their gentle appearance standing in stark contrast to the overbearing strength of violence, corruption and oppression. From 70s’ Flower Power against the Vietnam War (pictured above in Bernie's Boston's 1967 photograph) to 2020’s Ladies in White standing up to the election corruption in Belarus, flowers have been part of peaceful (and not so peaceful) protests the world over.
Violets
Votes for Women! This delicate little flower may look demure but it has a bold, anarchist history. When women’s suffrage of the early twentieth century set out in its purple, green and white, members of the Women’s Social and Political Union aimed to be ‘dainty and precise’ in their sartorial choices, so as not to upset the status quo with any untoward fashion statements. Instead, they set fire to things and smashed in windows, all the while wearing embroidered satin gowns, striped ribbons and fancy knickers.
Their colour scheme – picked out by art student Sylvia Pankhurst – symbolised loyalty, dignity and hope. And it’s the purple that made the popularity of violets bloom. They were already a favourite among the ladies of the time, but the WSPU picked them and ran with them, and soon they became a discreet way to show your support for the cause – perhaps in a small posy pinned to your bodice.
An embroidered handkerchief, made in prison by Janie Terrero and titled ‘Deeds Not Words’, was signed in stitches by the fearless women who went on hunger strike and were ‘fed by force’ in Holloway Prison in 1912. The list is set either side of a bunch of violets tied together with a purple bow. So next time you feel like taking down the patriarchy, you could make a start with a buttonhole of these subversive purple petals.
Mimosa
Since its inaugural celebration in New York on 8 March 1909, International Women’s Day has been an opportunity to give a much-needed voice to women. From shouting loud about their greatest achievements to speaking out against inequality, it’s a global big-up for women all around the world.
And what better way to show your appreciation for the amazing women in your life than through flowers? We wholeheartedly agree.
The tradition for giving mimosa flowers, in all their bright yellow glory, to mark this special day originated in around 1946 in Italy – for Festa della Donna. They signal respect and appreciation, and as a plant that looks delicate but is actually strong and resilient, able to weather a storm, bunches of mimosa are perfect for letting all the badass women in your life know you love them.
Jasmine
The 2011 Greater Chinese Democratic Jasmine Revolution was inspired by the Tunisian Jasmine Revolution in the early 2010s – part of the Arab Springs uprising.
In China, the pro-democracy protests saw peaceful protestors walking the streets carrying jasmine flowers and shouting slogans, such as ‘Lift restrictions, free the press’ and ‘End one party dictatorship’. It resulted in swift action from the Chinese authorities. There were many arrests in the weeks that followed, including international bad-boy artist Ai Weiwei. He was caught fleeing the country after sending a tweet using the word jasmine five times, although the Chinese government said he was being investigated for ‘economic crimes’.
Internet searches for ‘jasmine’ were subsequently blocked and the Beijing police force banned the sale of jasmine flowers from flower markets, causing wholesale prices of this surprisingly rebellious little flower to collapse.
