The violet, the traditional Valentine's Day flower, celebrates modesty, virtue, faithfulness, humility and possible happiness.   According to legend, the Christian priest St. Valentine wrote love notes using ink made from the violets he grew.   In more recent years, however, these dainty beauties have been upstaged by the more romantic rose.

New Jersey, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Rhode Island have declared the violet their state flower, and it's easy to see why.   Its two-inch blossom has five velvety petals and is seen in pink, purple and white varieties.  They are still considered a symbol of good luck for women, and dreaming of violets is said to indicate impending success and achievement.