The early Victorian Era or “Romantic period” started with Queen Victoria’s coronation, courtship and marriage.  Flora and fauna, such as snakes, birds, bees, flowers, fruits and leaves became fashionable with the widespread interest in botany and the influence of Romantic poets such as Blake, Shelley and Wordsworth.  Jewelry of the day was rife with symbolism: snakes signified eternal love, lions stood for courage and loyalty, owls for wisdom and wit, swallows for hope and motherhood.