Floriography: The language of flowers. A means of cryptological communication through the use or arrangement of flowers. It is considered an ancient technique that has been used for years. Originally, this system was designed for secret lovers to communicate. Subsequently, most flowers have coined meanings related to love and affection. However over the years, the black market has reinvented their meanings. Now, countless criminals use this once-loving technique as a way to run their businesses undercover.
Flowers and Their Meanings
Aster: Signifies payment amount for job.
Begonia: Beware, danger ahead
Carnation (Pink): Acceptance of offer
Carnation (Yellow): Rejection of offer
Carnation (Red): Pause mission, do not advance
Carnation (White): Go ahead with the mission/assignment
Daffodil: Come alone
Dahlia: Need two or more people (# of flowers represent how many required)
Daises: Schedule a meetup
Geranium: Safe house secure
Hibiscus: Safe house compromised
Hyacinth (Blue): Job needed: Assassination
Hyacinth (Purple): Job needed: Gather intelligence
Hyacinth (Yellow): Job needed: Retrieve/steal an item
Hyacinth (White): Job needed: Abduction
Iris: Common Military Police patrol route
Ivy: A sign of trust, mutual alliance
Lavender: A sign of distrust, commonly used between enemies
Lilac: Signifies body dump
Lotus: Declaration of peace
Marigold: Payment received
Poppy: Signifies payment location
Rose (Red): Mission/job failed
Rose (White): Mission/job completed successfully
Rose(Yellow): Mission started but not finished, need more details
Rose (Dark Crimson): You've been targeted; something bad will happen in the near future
Tansy: Declaration of war between groups (Typically seen in gangs)
Violet: We have someone hostage (loved one, family member, employee, etc)
How To Arrange Flowers
Since each flower has a different meaning, it is important to make sure you are specific as possible when arranging the flowers. Typically, the flowers will be read from the shortest stalk to the longest. It is easiest to lay them along a towel. Make sure to be very careful when arranging and handling the flowers because the number of petals also have meanings.
If you are the sender/initiator, then you will wrap a white ribbon around the flowers.
If you are the recipient, then you will wrap your response in a blue ribbon.
Always attach a small notecard with your insignia stamped in black ink. This will allow the sender or receiver to confirm your black market identity, which allows for easier communication. If you are targeting someone specific, then add their insignia as well, but attach it to the ribbon.
Most criminals use the same bars, restaurants, and parks when placing their arrangements. Location usually depends on the person and their relationship with whoever their contacting.
Placement of the arrangement also has meaning. When indicating the general location of a meetup, hit, body, etc., you would place the arrangement on the north, east, south, or west side of wherever you choose. Underneath a window or tree indicates it's urgent.
How to Interpret Arrangements
Reading messages from flowers can take a few times to fully understand the concept. Most people just start out with using daises to set up an in-person meeting. But more experienced criminals are able to solely communicate using this technique.
With daises, the number of petals on each flower represents a date. So if you have four daises with their petals counting 0, 5, 2, 8, then that means you'll meet May, 28th. Again, make sure to always read them from the shortest to longest stalk. Daises are typically read first and always read together.
With asters, the number of petals represent how much money the recipient will receive for completing the job (if they're getting paid). For example, if you have four asters with their petals counting 5, 5, 0, 0, then that means you'll be paid $5,500.
Since asters and daises come from the same family, it's hard to distinguish the two apart if all petals have been cut off. So they'll typically be tied separately.
Examples of Interactions
Interaction #1
Sender's Arrangement: A blue hyacinth, three dahlias, and five asters (1, 2, 5, 5, 0) wrapped in a white ribbon are placed in the southwest corner of a common bar inside wall Rose used by mercenaries. A small picture of a bloody knife is stamped on a notecard.
-Interpretation: An assassination job is needed. Requires three people. Payment for successful completion: $12,550. Location of job: Southwest town inside wall Rose. Insignia: Kenny the Ripper.
Recipient's Arrangement: A pink carnation is left in the same spot with a blue bow wrapped around it. A picture of black wings and a fox head with a dash mark next to it are stamped on a notecard.
-Interpretation: Job accepted. Black wings insignia: Angel of Death; Fox insignia: The Sly Fox plus one.
Sender's Arrangement: Four daises (0, 8, 2, 3) are tied together with a small map attached showing a vague looking castle.
-Interpretation: Meet at this location (Utgard Castle) on Aug. 23rd.
(When meeting in-person, the recipient gathered details needed for the mission. In a couple days, the three mercenaries carried out the hit).
Recipient's Arrangement: A white rose with the same insignias are placed at the original spot in the bar.
-Interpretation: Assassination completed successfully.
Sender's Arrangement: A poppy flower is placed with an encrypted map on top of a wine barrel.
-Interpretation: Signifies where to find payment. This type of encrypted map is only known to the recipient. Another poppy is placed in the middle of a field where the money was buried.
Recipient's Arrangement: A marigold is placed back at the same bar.
-Interpretation: Payment received
Interaction #2
(Between two people who already sorted out a mission's plan)
Sender's Arrangement: A begonia and a red carnation are placed at the designated meet-up spot.
-Interpretation: Danger ahead, pause mission, do not advance.
Sender's Arrangement: A hibiscus, a red carnation, and an iris flower are placed along a path leading to a house.
-Interpretation: Safe house compromised, continue to stand-by with the mission. This route is commonly used by MP's, be careful.
Sender's Arrangement: A white carnation and a geranium are delivered to the recipient.
-Interpretation: Advance with the mission. Second designated safe house is secure.
Recipient's Arrangement: A white rose and a lilac with an encrypted map is left at the safe house
-Interpretation: Mission completed successfully. Map reveals location of the body.
Interaction #3
Sender's Arrangement: A violet, a tansy, and five asters (2, 5, 0, 0, 0,) tied together by a golden necklace are placed at the doorstep of a wealthy family.
-Interpretation: We have your daughter hostage (indicated by the necklace). This is a declaration of war between our families. Ransom: 25,000.
Recipient's Arrangement: A bundle of pink carnations are left outside their gate.
-Interpretation: We graciously accept your offer.
Sender's Arrangement: A bundle of lavender is delivered through the mail with a stamped letter giving clear details on where, when, and how to drop off the payment.
-Interpretation: We still don't trust you so don't try to pull anything.
Recipient's Arrangement: Another bundle of carnations are left outside their gate.
-Interpretation: We graciously accept your offer.
Recipient's Arrangement: A poppy flower is placed on top of the location where the ransom money has been buried later that day. (Followed the directions in the ransom note).
-Interpretation: Signifies payment location.
Sender's Arrangement: A marigold along with a note describing where to find the daughter is sent via mail.
-Interpretation: Payment received, we will release your daughter.