So apparently I'm crazy and addicted to challenges because I want to start another challenge while hosting the Valentine's Countdown Challenge. This challenge was inspired by a few comments in chat.
The language of flowers, sometimes called floriography, was a Victorian-era means of communication in which various flowers and floral arrangements were used to send coded messages, allowing individuals to express feelings which otherwise could not be spoken. This language was most commonly communicated through small flower bouquets, an art which has a following today. In researching flower ideas, I also discovered Hanakotoba which is the Japanese form of the language of flowers. When I find flowers that have a meaning in hanakotoba, I'll use that meaning, if not I'll use one of the Victorian-era meanings or list both meanings.
Each of the prompts will be a flower (and its meaning). Your challenge is to use the flower and/or meanings as inspiration. If you know of or find another meaning for that flower, feel free to use that meaning instead.
The rules:
-There is no word count—make them as long or as short as you wish.
-The prompts do not have to interconnect.
-You can incorporate these prompts into an existing story/collection.
-Once you've posted your entry, claim its banner.
-You do not have to do every prompt -- feel free to pick and choose the ones that inspire you
-There is no end date.
-Have fun and good luck.
The banners and prompts:
Winter Cherry (Deception)
Ragged Robin (Wit)
Yellow Acacia (Secret Love)
Lotus (Purity, chastity and eloquence)
Purple Lilac (First emotion of love)
Sweet Pea (Goodbye)
Bluebell (Grateful, Constancy)
Cactus Flower (Lust)
Plum Blossom (Luckiness)
Kumquat (Prosperity)
Narcissus (Prosperity)
Bamboo (Luck) [note: the picture is of a bamboo flower]
Sunflower (Have a good year)
Eggplant (Heal all of your sickness)
Orange Lily (Hatred, Revenge)
Yew (Sorrow)
Hemlock (You will be my death)
Basil (Hatred)
New prompts will be added randomly. Any time I add new prompts I'll edit this post and make a new post to alert you.