Florist in Apollo Beach

Flowers and Their Roots - History of Flowers

In this article, we will be learning about the origins of flowers and their presence in human history. We'll look into the records of human interaction with these exquisite blooms. These reach all the way back from the Paleolithic era to modern times.

The next section of this article discusses flowers as art subjects in ancient history. We also tackle the influence they had as muses for artists of all kinds.

Last, we'll look over a list of the most popular flowers and discover the stories behind their names!

Interested in a formal course? Want to get certified as an expert on all things floral? We encourage you to check out institutions that offer programs in floristry.

Flowers through Human History

How far back are flowers recorded in human history? Have they always been diverse? How diverse? How did humans discover and use them in early history?

These are only a few of the things people often ask about flowers. Here is a list of answers to some of the most pressing queries about flowers as recorded in history!

Have flowers always existed? Since when?

Yes, they have. Archaeologists have dug deep to determine when flowers first appeared. Using the latest technology over time, they found flower fossils. With these, they assessed that flowers have been around since the prehistoric period. Their earliest estimate is around the Paleolithic age, about 93 million years ago.

Were flowers always as varied as they are now? Or did that develop over time with human interference?

Today, there are about 270,000 species of flowers! This number continues to grow with time and scientific developments.

As for the evolution of their diversity, records only go back to about 150 years. History shows only 125,000 species already existed.

Are there flowers that have been here since early history?

Plants like magnolias and herbs date back to 120 million years old. This time allowed them to grow into their forms today.

Experts maintain that flowering plants have been around for about 146 million years.

How did humans discover them? Did they use them in their day-to-day lives and regimen?

There is no precise record of how humans found flowers and plants. But there's evidence on the part of flowers in the daily life of humans in ancient history!

For example, placing flowers on graves has been a ritual long before modern times.

Various forms of art have also used florals both as main subjects and backdrop details. From music, literature, and sculpture, people have used flowers to express themselves. Now we see how blooms have always perked up lives and made occasions more special.

We'll discover more on flowers in art below, so keep reading!

Flowers as Art Subjects in Ancient History

From Ancient Egypt to modern pop art, flowers have inspired masterpieces all through history. Popular works with flowers vary from clay pots to still-life paintings. Its portrayal has been vital in developing several art forms and mediums.

In fact, flowers as artists' muse in history is a course in arts studies programs. This only affirms how important blooms are in art!

Here, we'll look at the impression that flowers have on various periods in art history. We'll learn what makes them so alluring to artists and audiences alike.

The lotus flower is one of the most celebrated subjects in Ancient Egyptian art. This is due to its symbolic significance in their religious myths. It was often portrayed in paintings, amulets, ceramics, and other artworks.. Evidence also points to the use of flowers as jewelry for the royal court.

In medieval times, tapestries became popular as art works. This gave way to using flowers as backdrops for several types of scenery.

It later birthed the form of millefleur, or a "thousand flowers". These tapestries had duplicating patterns of delightful blooms stitched on it.

Artists from the Renaissance also used blooms in their myth-inspired paintings. Other artists took flowers as a focal point in their work. They developed still-life paintings of fresh blooms and elaborate bouquets.

The Impressionist and Fauvism movements also involved the use of flowers in art. Flowers often acted as the subject of an indoor scene with a person or two beside it. Fauvism accented this using vivid colors. Other times, flowers were either the center of the artwork or the backdrop of the scene.

Today, flowers remain as a popular muse among artists through pop art and modern 3D art.

Pop art imagines plain ordinary objects in a different light and color. 3D artists often use flowers to build a sculpture of another figure. They also pay homage to art from the Renaissance and Ancient Egypt.

Flower Names and their Origins

Have you ever thought about where roses and calla lilies got their names from? Look no further! Here is a short list of popular flowers and the story behind their names.

Carnation.

Thought to come from the Greek word carnis (" flesh"), pertaining to its original color. Also thought to come from corone (" flower garlands"). This is because they were first used in ceremonial crowns.

Dandelion.

First called "lion's tooth" given the petals' likeness to a lion's sharp teeth. The French translation "dent-de-lion" later morphed into the English dandelion.

Daffodil.

In Greek mythology, flowers called "asphedelos" covered Elysian fields. Adapting the first d in the name in the future, it translated to the modern daffodil.

Daisy.

Born from Old English poetics, daisies are an advanced variant of the phrase "day's eye".

Holly.

Called the "Holly Tree". Later known as "holly." Medieval monks believed it would protect them from evil and lightning.

Lily.

From Latin word lilium, from "lily of the valley". This is because it was often located in valleys.

Orchid.

From Greek word orchis, "testicle". Greeks suspected if pregnant women ate these, their unborn child would end up being a boy.

Rose.

Coming from the Spanish and Italian rosa. Used to name red flowers.