Tailtean Flower Arrangement
The druids of Tailte traditionally wear flower crowns, made with a base of ivy or similar plant. Though the crowns and robes make the druids of the Lifegiver immediately recognizable, the flower crowns also carry their own subtle meanings. Though the crown is generally personalized and always made by the druid in question, the construction of the crown and how elaborate it is suggests at the druid's rank within the Tailtean hierarchy.
While floral symbolism is at least somewhat understood by the Khelish public, the intricacies of Tailtean flower symbolism fly far above the heads of the average person. While druids often adorn their flower crowns with plants that symbolize their mood of their locality, such as adding a cypress when someone in a village dies, a daffodil to symbolize uncertainty, a thyme for determination, or a celandine for festivals, the more colorful crowns often carry messages that the average person cannot parse and is simply not meant to understand. Certain flowers, in particular the carnation, are used as modifiers that alter the meaning of the entire crown, carrying a message that only another druid of Tailte can understand.
One of the most common combinations is a green carnation on the left side of the crown, followed by a red rose, a yellow garlic, and a black tulip. This crown is worn by druids sent by an Ovate of Tailte to gather a moot of druids to discuss a matter. While generally there is no need for secrecy in these moots, it is traditional to transmit the message by flower arrangement.
In general, roses tend to indicate the source of the message, while the carnation indicates that there is a message to be received. Another example would be a white carnation, a white rose, and a mint. This would be understood by other druids of Tailte as a personal call for help.
Complicating matters is that flower crowns can contain general sentiments, as well as a coded message. The carnation marks the presence of a message, but sometimes a druid may include a carnation simply for its aesthetic value, being careful to make sure their other choices of flower do not signal anything specific. While flower arrangement is not a full language, a wide variety of sentences can be written in it. While usually used with flower crowns, the druids do sometimes use this code with other flower arrangements as well.
White Carnation - White Rose - Mint = I need help.
Green Carnation - White Rose - Tansy = The order is at risk.
Yellow Carnation - Yellow Rose - Lobelia - Lavender = Who trampled the garden?
Example Arrangements
Green Carnation - Red Rose - Yellow Garlic - Black Tulip = The Ovate invites you to a moot.White Carnation - White Rose - Mint = I need help.
Green Carnation - White Rose - Tansy = The order is at risk.
Yellow Carnation - Yellow Rose - Lobelia - Lavender = Who trampled the garden?
Spoken by
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