Expert: Mark Smith - 7/4/2008

Question
Friends,

I just watched the DVD "QE1--The Virgin Queen," and it brought back memories of my readings in history decades ago.  I have taken an interest in botany since then and notice that a "standard" deck of playing cards has each queen holding a different flower in their hands; it looks like they are all exhibit regular symmetry and have four petals, possibly the Brassicaceae  family.

My questions may be off the wall, but do you know what flowers they represent and why they are holding them?  I assume they symbolize something. The Kings all hold weapons and I'm not sure about the Jacks.

Many thanks.  thad

Answer
Hello Thad.
I have to admit that I don't know. It is often said that the Queen in a pack of cards is a portrayal of Elizabeth of York, wife of the first Tudor King Henry VII and therefore the flower is the Tudor Rose, but this identification is unlikely. The design of the flower has varied over the years, but I'm sure it has some definate imagery, but precisely what I've been unable to discover.
Sorry.
Mark