Cairbre (left) and Amrodel (right) Marossat are siblings in my world of 17th-18th century(ish) hermaphrodites. Amrodel is a leading socialite and Cairbre could care less. Amrodel commissioned this portrait of the two of them as a public symbol of their reconciliation after a very public falling-out.

my hermaphrodites use the language of flowers (we know it as Victorian floriography) to communicate all kinds of things. every detail in this portrait was crafted to get the right message across. the flowers aren't to scale because their presence is symbolic.

i nearly broke myself drawing this X_x;

the title is a pun on the late medieval morality play.
if you want to know what all the flowers mean....

on Cairbre's belt are daisies for innocence; in hir hands are hazel blossoms for reconciliation.

Amrodel is crowned with a garland of roses, virtue's reward. hir 'rosary' has a magnolia (dignity) pendant. on hir lapel are orange blossoms for modesty and wisdom; in hir hand are dahlias for grace.

in the background, in sort of clockwise order from the top left corner:
mistletoe for surmounting trouble
bee orchids for mistakes
ferns for sincerity
lilacs for humility
hellebore for scandal
columbine for folly
bluebells for humility as well
ivy for friendship
mossy saxifrage for affection
lotus leaves for recantation
bulrushes for indiscretion and docility.

b&w version, available as a print -> here

pencil w digital tint. characters & art © Shakoriel 2008; do not use without permission.

detail of Amrodel: here
detail of Cairbre: here