Floral Semiotic In Ancient Manipur: Deciphering The Language Of Plants In Traditional Communication

Abstract

The Meitei culture is closely aligned with nature. Trees, plants, leaves, flowers, and fruits hold high significance in the Meitei culture. Communication medium reflecting to culture has been a crucial part of life for every society. Throughout history, flowers have been an integral part of traditional communication in many different cultures. Specific flowers and their arrangements have been utilised to communicate emotions, messages, and symbolic meanings in Floriography, the language of flowers, which has been employed as a sort of cryptological communication. In addition to being utilised to express feelings and ideas, plants were integral to religious and cultural rituals, demonstrating the close bond between early humans and the natural world. Meetei women wore bunches of solitary flowers, known as Nachom, behind their ears. The "Nachom Tradition" was intriguingly associated with and played an essential role in the cultural lives of Pakhang-Leishabi, or young, single men and women, who represent their romantic behaviours. For example, wearing anything particular or different sends a message about accepting or rejecting bids and indicates a woman's marital status. Nachom was an essential component of celebrations and rituals. Specific flowers were assigned symbolic meanings, often based on their nature or attributes and used as a medium of communication in early Meetei society. Traditional ways of inviting guests using beetle leaves and areca nuts are quintessential parts of invitations. This article aim to explore the language of plants in traditional communication in early Meetei society.