Similar to the green carnation for men, violets were a popular symbol of love between women until the early 1900s. The ancient Greek poet Sappho frequently mentioned “violet crowns,” lavenders, and the purple color in her poems about women, so violets became synonymous with desire. Before the late 19th Century, when the purple dye was more accessible and the color became a trend, it was common for ladies to gift each other violets as a subtle expression of love.
 
A scandal occurred in 1926 when a female character in the play The Captive sent a bunch of violets to another female character. Literary scholar Sherrie Inness reported in the National Women’s Studies Association Journal that the theme of lesbianism in this play led to an uproar and calls for censorship. Subsequently, the New York City district attorney’s office shut down the production in 1927.
 
Violet sales also plummeted as a result of the association.
 
However, at the play’s showing in Paris, some women wore the flower on their lapels as support.
 
In his play, Suddenly Last Summer, Tennessee Williams also weaves violets and their symbolism into the plot by naming a character, Mrs. Violet Venable. 

• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester)
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz/yd² (142 g/m²)
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Blank product sourced from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, Honduras, or the US

This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!