Pictures and History of Flower Arrangement

  Pictures and History of Flower Arrangement

Throughout history people have used flowers to express their feelings of love and friendship, enhance their surroundings, and engage in various rituals.

The history of flower arrangement dates back to ancient Egyptian times. It developed in Egyptian, Chinese, Roman, Greek, Byzantine, and later in European, cultures.

The earliest known flower arranging dates back to ancient Egypt. Egyptians were decorating with flowers as early as 2,500 BCE.

Greek Period (600-150 B.C.)

Flowers were used more for adornment during this period, and herbs were used with the flowers in garlands, and wreaths. Flowers were also often strewn on the ground. It was during this period that the Horn of Plenty or Cornucopia was introduced. Triangular and symmetrical arrangements were typical, usually with one or a limited number of colors. White was common, because it as a sign of purity. The primary flowers used were roses, hyacinths, lilies, iris, narcissus and violets, along with grape leaves, herbs, and seed pods.

 Greek Period (600-150 B.C.)

Flowers were used more for adornment during this period, and herbs were used with the flowers in garlands, and wreaths. Flowers were also often strewn on the ground. It was during this period that the Horn of Plenty or Cornucopia was introduced. Triangular and symmetrical arrangements were typical, usually with one or a limited number of colors. White was common, because it as a sign of purity. The primary flowers used were roses, hyacinths, lilies, iris, narcissus and violets, along with grape leaves, herbs, and seed pods.  

Roman Period (28 B.C. – 325 A.D.)

The Roman Period continued with the Greek Period customs, but the wreaths and crowns were more elaborate than those used by the Greeks. Flowers were arranged in baskets and cornucopias and the crowns and garlands were tapered and emphasis was made on the fragrance of flowers.

 

Byzantine Period (320-600 A.D.)  

This period continued with the Greek and Roman styles with the addition of fruit with the flowers in a twisted effect in the garlands. Foliage and flowers were used in large baskets, goblets, or low containers and were highly stylized, and neighboring hues, such as green, blue-green, blue, and violet were used with complementary accents of red, red-orange, orange, and yellow.

Medieval Period, The Middle Ages (476-1400 A.D.)

Not much is known of the floral art during this period. The information that is available was gathered from Persian paintings, rugs and tapestries. There was a definite Oriental flavor. Flowers were used for religious functions, and numerous types of containers were used.

Renaissance Period (1400-1600 A.D.)

There was a continuance of some of the characteristics of the Greek and Roman styles during this period. Fruit, cones and foliage (such as olive, ivy, and laurel) were arranged with flowers. The primary flowers used were dianthus, daisies, lily of the valley, lilies, violets, roses and primroses, and the Christmas wreath was introduced during this period. At the beginning of the Renaissance period, designs were very naturalistic; however, they became more ornate during the later years

French Period

French Baroque and French Rococo (18th Century)

The topiary along with symmetrical designs with no focal point was introduced during this period. The designs were informal, fragile, and delicate and were predominantly arc and crescent-shaped

English Georgian Period (1714-1760)

During the 15th and 16th Century and the collective fortresses of England, houses were smaller, and flowers were brought into the homes more for their fragrance than their beauty. Arrangements had flowers simply crammed into sturdy containers, with little or no concern for design; however, during the later portion of the century, arrangements had a greater sense of design. 

Some of the containers were made specifically to hold flowers, some with holes or openings to maintain the stems at angles. This period also introduced the nosegay or the Tussy Mussy as it was called in England. The favorite flower in Great Britain was the rose, so roses were abundantly used in floral arrangements.

Victorian Period (1820-1901)

Great Britain and its great empire had an important influence on all art forms, including architecture, clothing, and home furnishings during this period. There also was a tendency to move away from classicism toward romanticism and comfortable individualism.

 

 Floral designs became more lavish, almost to the point of overflowing. The containers most commonly used were flared vases or urns of alabaster, porcelain, silver or pewter. Arrangements almost always contained roses. The flowers most commonly used during this time were tulips, lilies, anemones, dahlias, fuchsias, asters, bleeding hearts, and other common garden flowers along with the roses.

American Period (1780-1820)

The Neoclassic and Empire styles (evolved from Europe) and the delicate French style had a great influence on the styles used in late colonial America at this time. The charm of individual flowers with fewer blossoms was used in containers, and floral arrangements containing masses of mixed bouquets were used less often.

Modern Period (Contemporary) (1910-Present)

A style of flower design called the “New Art” rapidly replaced the Victorian style. This new style spread throughout the United States after the end of the First World War, and an increased interest in flower arranging developed. The floral designers of this time developed a style combining the Oriental line arrangements with the European mass arrangements. Flower shows became very popular.

During the 1950′s and 60′s there was a significant increase in interest in the use of flowers to decorate the home. Today the new “Dutch Style” is increasingly popular. It exemplifies naturalistic garden style arrangements with groupings of similar flowers and parallel lines. Use of new tropical materials and perennials is also increasing as well as hand-tied bouquets.

Basic Flower Arrangements-`1

Traditional Japnes Floral DesignsIkebana

Ikebana or kado is the distinctive, beautiful Japanese flower arranging art and Ikenobo Ikebana is the the oldest Ikebana school.

Here you can find Ikenobo Ikebana classes and  lessons, Ikebana events and the UK's largest range of Ikebana vases, equipment, books and supplies.

Our site also contains lots of information about Ikenobo Ikebana, Ikebana or kado history and traditional Japanese flower arrangement styles, with many colour pictures of Ikebana flower arrangements. Japanese Ikebana Flower   Arrangement Photo.

the tokonoma of a teahouse, Ikebana is referred to as chabana, or "tea flower." Within the tokonoma, the theme of the calligraphy scroll and Ikebana flower arrangement harmonize with the changing seasons.