The Surprising History of the Tussie-Mussie
by Sandra Merville Hart
As an author of historical novels, I’m always looking for traditions from bygone eras. When I ran across tussie-mussies while researching the meaning of flowers, I dug deeper to learn the surprising history that has changed over the centuries.
Tussie-mussies are small, round bouquets with the stems bound together, a traditional bridal bouquet in the Victorian era. A knot of flowers is the “tussie” while the “mussie” is the soil that keeps them vibrant. Handheld bouquets, also called a posy or nosegay, were tied with a ribbon. Or they might be worn at the waist or in the hair by using a posy holder, a decorative cone-shaped holder often made of silver.
Posies were seen as a more modest accessory than jewelry. Women sometimes secured the bouquet with a brooch. Men wore them by placing them in buttonholes in their coats. It didn’t have to be a festive occasion.
These fragrant bouquets were popular during the Middle Ages for a different reason. People wore or carried nosegays of rosemary, rue, and thyme during the plague in Europe, believing specific herbs and flowers were a protective measure against the disease.
Rosemary has several health benefits recognized today. It can boost moods, enhance concentration and memory, offer neurological protection, and relieve pain. There are studies that suggest the herb may aid in the prevention and treatment of cancer. The herb added a woodsy, herbaceous aroma to the bouquet.
Rue has a pungent, bitter smell that is slightly citrusy. Sephardic Jews traditionally used it for healing purposes. Inhaling it is believed to help with shock. It is sometimes used in synagogues during Yom Kippur to rejuvenate those who have been fasting. William Shakespeare mentions rue in Hamlet, All’s Well That End Well, Richard II, and The Winter’s Tale. John Milton’s Paradise Lost and Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels also mention the herb.
Thyme has an earthy fragrance. It can destroy harmful organisms and may reduce high blood pressure. Thyme oil can prevent foodborne bacterial infections.Thyme was used as embalming fluid by ancient Egyptians. Ancient Greeks burned it as incense. The Romans brought it to the British Isles, so the herb has a long history in Europe.
The aromatic and health benefits of rosemary, thyme, and rue seem to suggest the wisdom of those Middle Ages men and women who kept them handy during the plagues.
Tussie-mussies have a long history that endures today. Guests at modern weddings may still spot tussie-mussie-style bouquets carried by brides. For instance, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle carried them at their own weddings.
These are fun facts that I, as an author of inspirational historical romances, love to incorporate into my novels!
Sources:
Boeckmann, Catherine. “What Does Each Flower Symbolize?” Almanac, 2025/04/21 https://www.almanac.com/flower-meanings-language-flowers.
Felman, Adam. “What are the benefits of thyme?” Medical News Today, 2025/06/20 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266016.
Havenga, Sudre. “The Victorian Tussie-Mussie: from warding off the plague to declaring your undying love,” National Museum Publications, 2025/06/09 https://nationalmuseumpublications.co.za/the-victorian-tussie-mussie-from-warding-off-the-plague-to-declaring-your-undying-love/.
Hawkins, Linda J. The Unspoken Language of Fans & Flowers, Heart to Heart Publishing, 2007.
Nordqvist, Joseph. “Everything you need to know about rosemary,” Medical News Today, 2025/06/20 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266370#benefits.
“Nosegay,” Wikipedia, 2025/06/09 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nosegay.
“Ruta Gravolens,” Wikipedia, 2025/06/20 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruta_graveolens.
Withrow, Danielle. “Tussie Mussies and the Victorian Language of Flowers,” Biltmore, 2025/06/09 https://www.biltmore.com/blog/tussie-mussies-and-the-victorian-language-of-flowers/.
