Well guys, here it is my avatar. I wanted something original and something I photographed myself.

Queer has been diluted of its negative aspects largely by gay men adopting it and this is my floral contribution to making pansy a delightful word.

Little historical note here. Do you know why its called a Pansy?

No? Well, it comes from the French verb, penser, to think.

and a pensee the French name translates as "a little thought".

Cute, eh. Everytime you see these sweet smiling faces think of a nice "little thought".

Those of you that know me will know that "little thoughts" are my

favourite!

Hope you enjoy my avitar - you got to get used to it!

My special thanks to LP for helping and BroBear for useful info.

Pansies are also one of the hardiest flowers out there. They can survive just about anything.

Hehehe - and so pretty!

Actually the "pensee" word you are translating literally without the subtle, medieval chivalrous connatation. It is a poetic license thing, meaning a sentiment, meaning further, a lover's trifle, a pose, a gift, a compliment. The meaning is quite delicate, very superficial, and very artistic. it is a compliment that a knight wou\ld make to flatter a lady beyond her actual beauty. Or for a lady to present to a handsome courtier. it is like tha game of love. A passing trifle, not be be taken too seriously. Like a moment in a play. Something to compliment momentarily, to be cherished forever, without questioning the sincerity behind it.

It is a thing to bring delight on an early day in May.

It is not meant just as a thought, but a thought to bring delight and to gain applause for the thought from the others posing in the play.

SOrry to over-explain such a delicate thing. But as you said it is deceptively delicate as these little pansies always come back ot fight another day in the arena of love.

But further it is sort of a castration thing, wherein a knight deadens his desire for raw sex to re-channelit into a sissified manhnerism so the lady can have her flattery and courtship without the fulfillment of the sexual act. The pansy then is symbolic of castrated men.