Flower arrangements are the combinations of several elements to create a visually pleasurable display of fresh, dried or artificial flowers by arranging them in different basic designs. Flowers may be arranged as vertical, horizontal, triangular, crescent, and oval arrangements, as well as in free standing or minimal arrangements, such as the lazy "S" or "Hogarth’s Curve. Regardless of their design, flower arrangements have certain key elements to make them more eye catching and natural. While presenting unity and harmony in the textures of the flowers and foliage, flower arrangements also require a perfect balance between the color and pattern of all their elements.
Flower arranging has been a popular art for thousands of years. Carved stone reliefs and painted wall decorations indicate that flower arrangements had an important role in the Egyptian culture. As early as 2,500 BCE, Egyptians used their highly stylized flower arrangements during burials, for processions, or simply as table decorations. Ancient Greeks and Romans were making wreaths and awarded their winners of Olympics and poetry competitions, as well as triumphant commanders with the symbol of victory, a laurel wreath.
In Eastern cultures, those following Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian teaching, regularly placed cut flower arrangements on their altars. By creating unique cone shape design the Byzantine Empire also made its contribution to floral arrangements. During the period from 500 to 1453 CE, Byzantine people placed their cone-shaped foliage in chalices and urns and further decorated them with brightly colored flowers, ribbons and fruit.
Following the Dark Ages, around 1000 CE, plants and flowers started to be commonly used for decoration in monasteries and churches in Europe and by the time of the 15th and 16th centuries, the Italian Renaissance introduced a wide variety of new arrangement styles. Making flower arrangements became a regular practice using a wide variety of materials to make containers, and focusing on the contrast created by differently colored flowers and tropical fruits.
While techniques have been varying around the globe, today the art of flower arranging is still popular with many considering the capability to create a perfectly balanced arrangement a great expertise. Flower arrangements can bring pleasure and beauty for just about any situation, whether chosen for symbolism or for prettiness.
Flower arranging has been a popular art for thousands of years. Carved stone reliefs and painted wall decorations indicate that flower arrangements had an important role in the Egyptian culture. As early as 2,500 BCE, Egyptians used their highly stylized flower arrangements during burials, for processions, or simply as table decorations. Ancient Greeks and Romans were making wreaths and awarded their winners of Olympics and poetry competitions, as well as triumphant commanders with the symbol of victory, a laurel wreath.
In Eastern cultures, those following Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian teaching, regularly placed cut flower arrangements on their altars. By creating unique cone shape design the Byzantine Empire also made its contribution to floral arrangements. During the period from 500 to 1453 CE, Byzantine people placed their cone-shaped foliage in chalices and urns and further decorated them with brightly colored flowers, ribbons and fruit.
Following the Dark Ages, around 1000 CE, plants and flowers started to be commonly used for decoration in monasteries and churches in Europe and by the time of the 15th and 16th centuries, the Italian Renaissance introduced a wide variety of new arrangement styles. Making flower arrangements became a regular practice using a wide variety of materials to make containers, and focusing on the contrast created by differently colored flowers and tropical fruits.
While techniques have been varying around the globe, today the art of flower arranging is still popular with many considering the capability to create a perfectly balanced arrangement a great expertise. Flower arrangements can bring pleasure and beauty for just about any situation, whether chosen for symbolism or for prettiness.