The History of Floral Design

Floral Design dates back to early cultures

Egyptian Period2800-28 B.C.

• Cut flowers were place in bowl, vases, or jars to use in religious ceremonies and for festivals.

• Flowers were also used to decorative purpose in homes.

• Flowers were generally woven together to make wreaths, garland, or chaplets.

Wreath

Garland

Chaplet

The Greek and Roman Period600-146 BC and AD 28-325

• Still used wreaths, garland, or chaplets.• Flowers were given to honor heroes and gods

during festivals, athletic events, and religious ceremonies.

Japanese InfluenceSince 621 AD

• Emphasized careful and significant placement of every flower, branch, or leaf.

• Designs had space and rythym.• Designs had three main placements: – Heaven (shin)– Man (soe)– Earth(tai)

Three classifications of Japanese arrangement

• Formal or classical style (Rikka and Shoka)• Informal or naturalistic style (Nageire and

Moribana)• Abstract or freestyle

• Ikebana designs are used for religious and tea ceremonies.

Rikka

Moribana

Freestyle

Ikibana

Italian Renaissance15 and 16 centuries

• Flowers were place in vases, urns and bowls for their symbolic meaning

• Rose- “love”• White Lily- “chasity”• Floral arrangements became symmetrical

Dutch Flemish Period17 Century

• Designs became very styled, large, and flamboyant.

• Could be symmetrical or asymmetrical• Banquet centerpieces and lobby designs

DutchFlemish

French Period17-18 Century

• Fan-shaped• Round designs• Crescent Shaped

Fan Round

Crescent

English Tradition

• English tradition picked flowers for their fragrance.

• Early English carried nosegays or tussie-mussie for their fragrance and looks

• English enjoyed both casual and formal designs.

• Topiary form was developed.• Created centerpieces.

English cont.

• Used and variety of containers.

Nosegay Topiary

Late English19 Century

• Language of flowers were used to covey meaning….. Love

• Designs were large oval or round• Glass was used for containers

American Styles

• Fan shaped and triangular shaped• Simple natural arrangements

Triangular