Lenços de Namorados - Lover’s Squares

Posted on February 14, 2008
Filed Under Culture

Many moons ago, my mom told me a romantic story about the “Lenços dos Namorados” the Lover’s handkerchiefs. I had completely forgotten about the story, until I recently walked into a Lisbon shop “A Vida Portuguesa” and found a book on this very subject, Lenços de Namorados, escritas de AMOR - Lover’s Squares, Words of Love. This wonderful little book not only shows colourful photos of embroidered squares; it also gives the name of the embroiderer and history behind each square (if known).

Escritas De Amor

Lover’s Squares originated in the north of Portugal, in the Minho region, and by the early 1900’s had spread throughout the country. These very special squares started from crisp white linen or cotton, then were hand embroidered in various colours by young girls of marrying age (or sometimes commissioned by boys) as a declaration of their love for the object of their affection. How romantic is that?!

Each square was unique and creatively embroidered with names, secret messages, poems, love notes, designs and edgings of all sorts. The objective was to embroider a picture of what your heart felt for the one you loved. Once embroidered, the square was passed to that special person, by a friend or confidant, often in secret. As this was a very conservative time in Portugal, most girls were taught the fine arts of embroidery, knitting and sewing, but since social libraries were very limited, boys and girls didn’t date or go out without chaperons, so the squares became the secret language of love and declaration of AMOR. It’s interesting to note, many squares were in code, and sometimes completely illegible, while others had spelling mistakes, that helped reveal the tender age of the embroiderer.

As I researched this story, it saddened me to think this wonderful way of expressing affection, has past its time. Fortunately, there are some wonderful folks keeping this memory alive; by embroidering, collecting, and preserving artifacts for future generations, like the “Alianca Artesanal - Vila Verde” who published this book.

Finding one of these squares today, isn’t easy. So, I was pleasantly surprised to discover Vista Alegre Portugal’s Primer Porcelain house, has a collection dedicated to the Lenços de Namorados, called Vila Verde. I haven’t gotten my hands on any yet, but did accidentally stumbled on a simpler set by Bonvida - Porcelana de Portugal, that will do just fine. For some strange reason, I couldn’t find this collection on their website, but it’s adorable, and we now have a mug and saucer each for “sweet treats”.

Finding this book and remembering that story, from so long ago, makes me think how much of a world of convenience we live in today, and even a hand written letter seems some how passé. I suddenly wish I had listened to my mom, when she wanted to teach me embroidery. Putting that much work into sincere words from heart and making them beautiful, has a permanence that’s undeniable, and conviction that’s inspiring. What a unique and special gift. It might be a little late to embroider a square now, maybe save that for next year, but instead of a big fancy gift, some nice paper with special words, straight from the heart might be the best gift you can give.

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, here are some heart felt Words of Love, from a featured embroider in Lenços de Namorados, Escritas de AMOR.

Assim como este lenco
Os fios uniods estao
Assim estaja a mina alma
Unida ao teu coracao

Translation

Like this square
Of threads so tight
Like my soul
To your heart unites

Comments

2 Responses to “Lenços de Namorados - Lover’s Squares”

Judy on February 15th, 2008 4:51 pm

I love this story…especially that Words of Love at the end.
Eddie on February 15th, 2008 9:59 pm

Hi Judy,

Yes, I love the idea of the Lover’s squares. There were so many different squares, poems and declarations of love that it was hard picking just one!

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