Language of handkerchiefs.
Hey, remember when I talked about the Victorian language of flowers and speaking with fans? This photo shows a short snippet of the language used to “speak” with handkerchiefs.
I am telling you, between conversations with flowers, conversations with fans, and conversations with hankies, plus the fact that the post ran twice a day then, it’s amazing the Victorians ever bothered to talk with their mouths at all.
Oh, and I can’t forget the language of calling cards. Each corner folded on a card conveyed a different particular meaning, in addition to the calling card itself (the business card of the day) being presented with the printed information up or down also communicated specific pre-arranged meanings.
Wild! Just another funky little tidbit brought to you from the Kattitudes Fountain of Useless Knowledge.
Sphere: Related Content
September 26th, 2007 at 2:34 am
Oh, how neat is that?! I love learning about all this! It’s so fascinating!!
May 19th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
I am a dealer in very fine linens, with a specialty in elegant handkerchiefs. I found an old printout of these traditions, framed it, & it hangs next to my handkerchief display. People love to read the lost ‘language’.