Meaning of the Violet Flower

The violet is the flower of four U.S. states, and of Greece. People have a fondness for the delicate flower and its fragrance and color. It has symbolic roots reaching into myth, legend, and religion, and it held a prominent place in the Victorian language of flowers. With its small size and delicate looks, it has often been associated with romance and romantic love. The violet apparently has a lot to say.

Mythology
The ancient Romans thought of violets as a symbol of mourning, their deep color indicative of spilt blood, but their sweet scent lending them a peaceful connotation. The Romans often laid them on graves and used them to decorate crypts to symbolize their continued affection for the one who had passed on. They believed that this ensured the deceased would rest quietly.

Folklore
The folklore of medieval times thought of violets as protection against evil spirits. Often times the leaves would be used in healing plasters, salves and antiseptics, and as a cure for insomnia and so the flower was associated with healing as well. During this time they were also given as tokens of love and symbols of faithfulness, both because of their lovely smell, and their protective and healing connotations.

Christian Symbolism
In Christianity the violet is associated with Mary, and with modesty, according to Women for Faith and Family. One tale tells that all violets were originally white, but Mary's despair over watching her son suffer upon the cross turned them all purple as a symbol of her mourning. This, interestingly, seems to link them back to the ancient Roman meaning of the flower as well as connect the flowers to Mary.

The Language of Flowers
The Victorians used flowers as a means of communication, assigning them meanings. Giving a person flowers was like passing them a note. In the language of flowers of the Victorian-era, the violet speaks of retiring modesty and the image of the "shrinking violet." The white violet meant candor, but also innocence, the way a child often speaks without the restraint of an adult.

Modern Symbolism
In our modern equivalent of the language of flowers, violets are often seen as plants for the home, representative of the family and of marriage. In wedding bouquets they represent a promise and faithfulness. In dreams they are said to represent the possibility of marriage or commitment.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_6547448_meaning-violet-flower_.html