History of Flower Arranging

Flower arrangements date back as far as ancient Egypt.

The history of flower arranging dates back to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Japanese culture is also rich with floral traditions. These civilizations used floral arrangements long before the practice took hold elsewhere.

Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egyptian royalty wore floral garlands crafted with strips of gold. They also wore garlands to honor the dead and placed garlands at the graves of their loved ones, much like flowers are taken to cemeteries today. In 2006, a 3,000-year-old coffin was discovered to contain the remnants of one of these garlands. Egyptians also used flowers in temple offerings and as banquet table decorations.

Ancient Greece

The ancient Greeks are credited as being the first civilization to use wedding flowers. Rather than the traditional bouquet that is known today, garlands and wreaths were used to make crowns for the bride. The Greeks also introduced the cornucopia.

Ancient Rome

Ancient Romans continued the traditions started by the Greeks. The floral arrangements became more elaborate. Fruits were included with flowers in garlands and containers with trees and flowering plants were used as decor. The earliest depiction of a flower arrangement is a mosaic from the second century C.E. from Hadrian's villa, which shows a basket of cut flowers.

Ancient Japan

Buddhism brought flower arranging to Japan as early as 538 C.E., when monks began arranging flowers and placing them on altars in the temples. In the Heian period (794-1192), floral arrangements were being used for purposes other than religious worship. This developed into the Japanese art of floral arranging called "ikebana."

Middle Ages

As Europe emerged from the Dark Ages, flowers started to be used for religious purposes and for decorations. Flowers and herbs were commonly used to mask body odors during weddings and other celebrations.

Renaissance

During this period fruits, cones and foliage were often arranged with dianthus, daisies, lilies, roses and violets. Christmas wreaths were first introduced during the Renaissance. Vases and containers were made from glass and marble. An interest in Greek and Roman antiquities spurred the use of garlands and wreaths.

References

• National Geographic: Ancient Flowers Found in Egypt Coffin
• Encyclopedia Brittanica: Floral Decoration
• Ikebana by Junko: History of Ikebana
• The Flower Expert: History of Floral Design