The Best of Blooms

Brief History of Floral Arrangements and Design

With changing times, styles and fads have come and gone.

But flower arrangements have continuously conveyed our love for nature. They've played a huge part in our admiration of life's beauty!

Each dazzling creation is a work of art! It brings about a vibrant, pleasant ambience anywhere it's placed.

But where did flower arrangements emerge? Whose idea was it to place flowers with each other and for what purpose? What did flowers mean to people in the ancient days?

How did fashions in floral design develop over time? What produced these changes?

Today, we'll answer all these questions. We'll get a brief but exciting peek into the history of flower arrangements!

Interested in a formal course? Want to get certified as an expert on everything related to flowers? We recommend checking out organizations that offer programs in floristry, such as:

• American Institute of Floral Designers

• Society of American Florists

• American Floral Endowment

Ancient Times

The earliest records of floral design go back to 2500-2600 BCE in Ancient Egypt. Historical experts discovered that Egyptians were the first to artfully put flowers in a vase.

They were often used for banquets and religious rituals. Ancient Egyptians also used them to honor the dead in last rites and processions.

Lotus flowers are frequently acknowledged as the most important flowers of that era. Egyptians believed they were sacred to the goddess Isis. In Egyptian art, men and women were often exhibited holding lotus flowers in their hands.

The same attitudes towards the religious meanings of flowers were discovered in Ancient China. Confucians, Buddhists, and Taoists laid cut blooms on altars.

Florists were held in high regard and given immense respect. Ancient Chinese art also painted florals on vases, scrolls, and carvings.

Flowers and leaves were also often placed together based on what meanings they held. Peonies represented wealth and good luck. This is why they are famously known and honored as the 'king of flowers'.

Tiger lilies and orchids represented fertility. Pear and peach trees embodied long and abundant lives.

In Ancient Greece and Rome, flowers were mainly used for impressive decor in a show of wealth. They weaved flowers and foliage into wreaths for joyful celebrations.

Their love of flowers is well-known. Blooms were often portrayed in art and written into myths.

Wreaths also marked the celebration of victories. In Ancient Greece, they awarded wreaths to champions of the early Olympic games. This tradition remains to this day.

They also enjoyed artistry and ingenuity with flowers. Historians claim that the first mixed flower arrangement was from the Romans.

Middle Ages

The Byzantines pursued the floral designs of the Roman empire. They placed more importance on perfect balance and sleek looks.

They adopted garland-making as well. But they put their own twist on it by bringing in fruit and foliage, making tree-like designs.

Gold and jewel tones were prevailing during this era. Favored flowers included carnations, cypress, daisies, and lilies.

After the Roman empire fell, there was an artistic downtrend in the Middle Ages. Sadly, this included floral design.

Monks were the only ones to continue the art of floristry, using florals in sacred places. Inspired by Oriental fashions, they often set their flowers in Chinese vases.

Renaissance

The Renaissance era saw a spirited revival of art and culture. This meant people found a new admiration for beauty and life in all forms. Italians were the first to express their new zest for creativity in floristry.

Full, lavish flower arrangements were displayed in feasts. Others began to include them as decor for homes and churches.

Renaissance floral design was often concerned with pure beauty and symmetry. Bright and bold color triads were in vogue, created with arc, ellipse, and triangle shapes. Flowers were also often paired with different kinds of fruits and vegetables.

These were placed in a wide array of vessels, from bowls to baskets to vases. But they were all fashioned to cover the stems and only emphasize the blooms.

People of this era also added special meanings to flowers, like love, purity, and goodness. Among the most sought-after flowers then were carnations, daisies, irises, lilies, marigolds, and violets.

Victorian Era

Opulence, luxury, courtesy-- these were the defining traits of the Victorian Era.

Flower arrangements became a way to showcase wealth and good breeding. This is why they became exceptionally lavish and elaborate. Luxurious homes had ornate vases teeming with gorgeous masses of flowers.

Ladies were educated on the art of floral design as part of their upbringing. It was also during this time that floral design was formally taught and studied as a form of art.

Floral designs in the Victorian era set itself apart from other periods. People then weren't all that interested in symmetry, proportion, or color schemes.

They were more occupied with how many flowers were in a vase, instead of with how they appeared. Bouquets were often compact and overflowing

Rich, heavy hues like purples, blues, reds, and browns were in style for floral design. Flowers were often arranged in a round shape. Foliage and herbs were placed in for added aroma and texture.

Roses, tulips, carnations, baby's breath, and lilacs were among the most well-loved flowers.

20th Century

Attention to floral design piqued in the USA during the 1930s. It was then acknowledged to have its own set of rules by the Women's Garden Club.

Traditional designs were concerned with crafting clean, harmonious arrangements. They provided texture and depth but only followed a certain design pattern.

Later on, free style became more popular. With no fixed patterns, there was more free rein to explore different color palettes, rhythms, sizes, and plant materials.

There were more natural styles that included rocks, branches, and foliage. Japanese styles were also featured, marked by simplicity and openness.

Today, trends in floral designs continue to progress! Now, there are endless choices for floral design that take in everyone's unique tastes and style!

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