While the first Valentine’s Day celebrations date all the way back to The Roman Empire, it wasn’t until the Victorian era that the holiday became the celebration of love it’s recognized as today.

From floriography and color-coded secret messages to love poems and luxurious surprises, the Victorians perfected the art of grand gestures and romantic aesthetics, leaving behind a legacy of Valentine’s Day traditions worth exploring.

1. The Victorian Era Art of Floriography

Using “the language of flowers” (or floriography as it's more technically known) was popular during the Victorian era. In this silent yet eloquent form of communication, lovers sent bouquets brimming with meaning. A red rose professed passionate love, while violets symbolized faithfulness, and forget-me-nots pledged undying devotion. These floral messages often accompanied Victorian Valentine cards to create multi-sensory expressions of affection.

 

2.  Color Codes, Secret Messages, and Acrostic Jewelry

Much like their practice of floriography, the Victorians loved to send secret messages with color codes. Red suggests romance while pink offers sentiments of happiness and colors like white and gold reflect purity and value respectively. These hues often adorned Valentine’s cards, party decor, even clothing and jewelry worn while celebrating.

The subtle symbolism of the Victorian era was taken to new heights with acrostic jewelry that holds a secret message hidden within its clever design. In acrostic jewelry, words are spelled out using the first letter of each gem in a band or strand; the most common example is REGARD which was represented by a ruby, emerald, garnet, alexandrite, ruby, and diamond – in that order.

3.  Delicate Details and Sentimental Keepsakes

Victorians had a special fondness for romantic patterns, ribbons, and lace in their Valentine’s and in their jewelry – especially when paired with twinkling diamond accents and romantic flourishes. Gem-studded lockets, love knot brooches, and heart-shaped pendants often carried hidden compartments for tiny portraits or love notes. These treasures not only commemorated love but also served as tangible reminders of devotion.

4.  Poetic Expressions and Grand Gestures

Victorian Valentine’s Day cards were often adorned with sentimental poetry. Whether penned by hand or professionally printed, these verses ranged from heartfelt sonnets to playful rhymes. The poetry not only conveyed emotion but also showcased the sender’s creativity and thoughtfulness – a treasured quality in Victorian courtship. If you were lucky, you might have received a poem in the form of a Victorian Valentine puzzle purse whose messages are revealed through a sequence of folds within these intricate notes. 

For the upper classes, Valentine’s Day celebrations in the Victorian era sometimes included lavish dinners, musical serenades, and theatrical performances. Though, even modest celebrations involved careful and heartfelt planning to ensure every detail reflected the depth of affection.

 

Each and every one of these pieces have been hand-picked by members of the Walton’s team — but this curated selection only represents a fraction of what’s in our showroom.

Whether you're searching for personal jewelry you’ll cherish or a gift to dazzle someone special, our showroom offers an array of treasures in the spirit of romance and complimentary shipping to make your shopping experience seamless.

At Walton’s Jewelry, we have more than 50 years of experience serving Historic Downtown Franklin and the greater Nashville community. Each member of our team has trained at The Gemological Institute of America and has a deep passion for preserving the history and beauty of antique jewelry. Whether you are a Tennessee local looking to stop by our showroom, or prefer to view our selection virtually, we invite you to explore our newest arrivals and reach out with any questions you may have.