“moien” reader👋! and other new subscribers this week. welcome to the February edition of “tic”. if you’re new, you can catch up on our previous editions on our website right here.

_{(“moien“: hi in Luxembourgish)}

in this month’s issue of “tic”, we’re going to talk about the language of flowers, a person who dedicated his life to saving the planet and so much more. so make sure to share this with your friends, so just like you, they too can enjoy and catch up with more interesting stuff!

the language of flowers🌸

long before texts, DMs, or even love letters, humans found ways to communicate deeply complicated emotions by way of something we've all agreed upon as universally pretty: flowers. this is what they call the art of floriography or the language of flowers. during Victorian times, when this art came to be institutionalized, sentiments could be beautifully expressed without opening one's mouth. and, yes, it really is elegant and dramatic and occasionally petty. let's delve into the coded world of petals and leaves, where one ill-chosen bouquet could ignite a scandal.

Roses are red, but which red?

Roses rule the floral world like a pop star that sweeps up all the Grammys, but don't be fooled into thinking a Rose is just a Rose. here's the breakdown:

• red Roses: love and passion. the "i can't stop thinking about you" bouquet. perfect for dates or subtle reminders to your spouse that the dishes aren't romantic.

• dark crimson Roses: to mourn or be in deep sorrow. the goth cousin to red Roses, for when the occasion calls for heavy-hearted feelings.

• yellow Roses: for friendship, or worse-jealousy. the Rose family's mixed message bouquet.

• pink Roses: gratitude and admiration. the diplomatic Rose. "thank you for being amazing, but I'm not sending red. let's not get weird."

  

  (source: SpectrumofRoses)

flowers: nature's emojis

want to say something without saying anything? there is a flower for that.

• Sunflowers: to give someone sunflowers is to show loyalty and warmth. if Sunflowers were a person, they would be that perpetually optimistic buddy who never bails on plans.

• Daisies: innocence, purity, and new beginnings. daisies are the "i'm rooting for you" of bouquets.

• Orchids: exotic beauty, luxury. Orchids basically whisper, "i'm fancy, and I know it.

• Lavender: serenity and devotion. perfect for calming nerves or subtly saying, “you’re a lot to deal with, but I’m committed.”

• Forget-Me-Nots: true love and remembrance. sentimental and to the point: “you better not forget me.”

  

  (source: Reynold Flowers)

the thorny side of floriography

not all flowers write love letters. some are just drama queens.

• Marigolds: pain, jealousy, and discomfort. the floral version of a passive-aggressive text message.

• Yellow Carnations: disdain or disappointment. this is the “i’m not mad, just disappointed” flower.

• Petunias: resentment and anger. in essence, giving a person petunias says, "we need to talk".

• Snapdragons: deceit and strength. pretty flowers with double-edged meanings are great for frenemies.

crafting a bouquet message

in Victorian times, people used flowers to send hidden messages. some bouquets were so complex they called for a decoding ring or a serious session of gossiping.

here are some classic combinations:

• Red Roses + Forget-Me-Nots + Ivy: "i love you forever, and I'm not letting go." romantic and just a little clingy.

• Daffodils + Sunflowers: "you brighten up my life." for a friend or that guy who saved you from the awful haircut.

• Yellow Roses + Petunias + Marigolds: "i see your shady behaviour, and i'm not impressed." delivered with a polite smile, naturally.

  

  illustrated postcard. printed in England/The Regent Publishing Co Ltd. (source: Dumbarton Oaks Archives)

flowers around the world

floriography wasn't peculiarly Victorian. different cultures have floral languages of their own. Here are some examples:

• Japan: flowers play a huge role in Hanakotoba, the Japanese flower language. the camellia, for one, is a symbol of admiration and perfection.

  

  パンジーPanjī- Pansy: Thoughtful/Caring in Hanakotaba (source: Between the Flowers and Treetops)

• China: Peony is considered the "king of flowers," symbolizing prosperity, honour, and romance.

  

  Peonies are often depicted in traditional Chinese paintings. (source: VCG Photo)

• Hawaii: the hibiscus is a symbol of beauty and hospitality, but it's also used to signal relationship status when worn behind the ear. left ear? taken. right ear? single and ready to mingle.

  

  (source: Mayan Llanera Art & Design Co.)

floriography in modern times

today, no one really expects a bouquet to carry hidden messages, but the meanings behind flowers still resonate. knowing the symbolism can add depth to your gesture, whether you're sending a single rose or an elaborate ar

rangement it can help you avoid unintentionally insulting someone with petunias.

conclusion: speak softly and carry a bouquet

flowers are so much more than pretty accessories. they can convey, if arranged well, your profession of love, your conciliation, and subtly troll those you don't particularly like without a word uttered. every petal has meaning. so next time you select your bouquet, be sure you pay a little homage.

now, go forth and speak the language of flowers. just be sure to double-check the meanings before sending marigolds to your crush. 🌺

David Attenborough. a guardian of our planet 🌲

this legendary broadcaster and natural historian is one of my most favourite and inspirational figures, and it is Sir David Attenborough. during the last several decades, he has given our planet a voice and brought its beauty and fragility to life with breathtaking documentaries.

born on May 8, 1926, in London, Attenborough's curiosity about the natural world seems to have blossomed from his earliest years. during his career, which has spanned many years, he has travelled to nearly every corner of Earth, exploring jungles, deserts, and oceans, even going to the farthest, most inaccessible places. his work on landmark series such as Planet Earth, Blue Planet, and Life on Earth has set a standard for nature storytelling, using dazzling visuals with his calm, considered narration.

but what makes Attenborough truly inspirational is not so much the things that he can show us of this world, but his concern for its protection. much of his later career has been used in advocacy for the conservation of the environment through talks on climate change, plastic pollution, and loss of biodiversity. recent projects like A Life on Our Planet seem like a deeply personal warning, and at the same time, an appeal to action.

Attenborough's work is an inspiration for me; he doesn't inform but makes one care. he reminds us of the simple fact that the natural world is not something outside us but constitutive of ourselves. I respect his tremendous humility, knowledge, and tireless dedication to the planet.

he is 97 years old and still an inspiration to millions, proving that one voice can make all the difference. David Attenborough is not a storyteller, he is a guardian of nature, a reminder of how much we have to lose if we don't act.

🔡 wordle fun

here’s an exclusive wordle from us:

dans les coulisses: how currency is designed and printed 💸

the crisp Canadian dollar, the iconic greenback of the United States, or the colourful Sri Lankan rupee, money in all its forms is way more than a mere medium of exchange; it's an amalgamation of art, technology, and security on a single small piece of paper-or polymer. but have you ever wondered what goes into making such money as we use every day? let's go behind the scenes and explore in detail the very meticulous process of designing and printing currency.

step 1: the design process

the design of the banknote is where creativity meets security. here's how it starts:

• the concept: each note tells a story of a country's history, culture, or value. teams of artists, historians, and government officials brainstorm on what symbols, portraits, and landmarks best represent their nation. for example, Sri Lanka's notes bring out the natural beauty and historical heritage of the island, while for Canada, polymer notes include iconic landscapes and technological innovations.

  

  Canadian currency

• portraits and symbols: the portraits of the great personalities are selected with lots of deliberation, sometimes in several months. national emblems, animals, or plants, like maple leaves or elephants, give it the cultural touch.

• mockups and testing: after choosing the themes, the artists create detailed designs using sophisticated software. the mockups go for careful testing in respect to aesthetics and functionality. for example, will it still be visible after many years of usage?

  

  each denomination of the South African rand banknote showcases a different animal from the "big five" (source: The Telegraph)

security features: step 2

the problem of counterfeiting is so widespread that every banknote has been made a miniature fort of security features. these include:

• holograms: reflective patches which shimmer in light and are virtually impossible to reproduce.

• watermarks: hidden images, coming into perfect view when held against the light and melded into the paper or polymer.

• microprinting: tiny texts that are almost invisible and add just another layer of security. you might want to get that magnifying glass out!

  

  (source: papermoneyforum)

• colour-changing ink: ink that changes colour when the note is tilted gives a very futuristic touch.

• raised printing: textured designs you can feel, from the raised numerals or braille-like dots for the blind to read.

• UV features: from patterns to numbers, these glow under ultraviolet light for effective and easy authenticity checks.

you can check out various security features in different countries thanks to TitleMax right here.

step 3: printing

once the design of the note has been finalized, it is time to print the money. needless to say, this is a very specialized kind of printing job.

• the paper or polymer: traditional notes are made from a blend of cotton and linen, which renders them strong yet light. modern notes, as in Canada and Australia, are made from polymer, which is a kind of plastic, waterproof, and difficult to tear.

• offset printing: the base colours and large designs are printed first, using an offset press that can handle thousands of sheets per hour.

• intaglio printing: this is where fine details and raised textures are added. special inks are pressed deeply into the material to create intricate designs that are both visually stunning and tactile.

• adding security features: the embedding of holograms, UV patterns, and watermarks takes place at or after printing, containing much precision with which a mismatching instance might compromise the note's security.

  

  a staff checks a sheet of the Laika specimen series of banknotes produced by Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions, during a media visit in Lausanne, Switzerland, June 23, 2022. (source: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse)

• serial number: serial number gives any particular note a uniqueness factor, due to which they could be identified. this function has been effective from high-speed machines printing several thousand sets in a minute.

step 5: distribution

after the notes have been checked, they are bundled, packaged, and distributed to various banks across the country. the central bank keeps a record of each batch so that when such a batch reaches retirement age, a replacement supply is sent out in due course.

fun fact: paper notes normally last for 1 to 5 years before they wear out. however, polymer notes can last up to 10 years and are a very environment-friendly and cost-effective option.

why it matters

not only does currency pay for goods, but it is also considered the pinnacle of a nation's pride, creativity, and progress with technology. next time you reach to grab a note from your wallet, take a closer look. It’s not just money, it’s a masterpiece in your hands.

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here’s a fun fact that might surprise you 🤯

the first hard drive was huge, sent by IBM in 1956, weighing over a ton and storing only 5 megabytes. that would be roughly one high-quality photo today. it had to be trucked around because of its size, indicating how far we have travelled with data storage.

thank you for reading. wish you a wonderful month!

until next month,

“tic.” team