Anthomania is an extreme fondness or love of flowers. Anthomania derives from the ancient Greek ἄνθος or anthos (flowers) and mania (a madness).
Anthomania is such an enchanting word which seems so fitting for something as alluringly lovely as flowers. With their soft, delicate petals, multitudes of colors and intoxicating array of fragrances, there is every reason to feel a sense of anthomania when thinking about them. Oh, to be certain, there are allergens and pollen and sometimes the scent can be migraine inducing, but on the whole the World is a much brighter, lovelier place thanks to flowers.
Wow, the Roman Emperor Elagabalus (or Heliogabalus) really knew how to indulge his guests in an anthomania kind of way – if this detail from The Roses of Heliogabalus by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema is anything to go by!
Despite my own allergies, I am something of an unabashed anthomaniac since I think everything is made better with flowers! Even if we are currently stuck indoors, one can still indulge our anthomaniac sides with fresh bouquets, flowering plants and even a bit of gardening to make the views and our yards pleasant and appealing to see. “The earth laughs in flowers.” as was fond of saying and I do quite thoroughly agree!
Namaste ~ Ella
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Lawhimsy 