The Ancient Egyptians

The earliest known practice of flower arranging dates back to ancient Egypt. In fact, historical records indicate that the Egyptians were decorating with flowers as early as 2,500 BCE This fact is illustrated with the carved stone reliefs that they left behind, as well as their painted wall decorations.

Historical records indicate that the ancient Egyptians regularly placed cut flowers in vases. In addition, the art of flower arranging was an important component of the culture, and highly stylized arrangements were used during burials, for processions, and simply as table decorations as well.

The flowers selected for the arrangements made by the ancient Egyptians were carefully selected according to their symbolic meaning, with an emphasis placed on religious meaning. The lotus flower or water lily, for example, is considered to be sacred to Isis. Therefore, this flower was often included in flower arrangements. Other flowers that were popular during ancient Egyptian times included the papyrus plant and the palm tree. Many other flowers are routinely found in the tombs of the ancient Egyptians as well. Garlands of flowers were worn by loved ones and left at the tombs of the ancient Egyptians just as many people leave flowers at a cemetery today. Some of these include the blue scilla, the poppy-flowered anemone, the Iris Sibirice, the delphinium, the narcissus, and the rose.

The Ancient Greeks and Romans

The Greeks and the Romans also had a passion for flowers, though they didn’t often use vases or pots. Rather, they concentrated more on making garlands and wreaths. They also enjoyed tossing petals onto the floor and onto beds. Like the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans had their preferences when it came to the flowers and foliage they used.

The most popular foliage used by the Greeks and the Romans were acorns, oak leaves, laurel, ivy, bay and parsley. Laurel wreaths were presented to winners of athletic competitions in the ancient Olympics. These same wreaths were also awarded to individuals winning competition in poetic meets. In Rome they symbolized a military victory and crowned the successful commander in honor of his triumph.

The preferred flowers include roses, hyacinths, honeysuckle, violets, and lilies. Other flowers such as tulips, larkspur, and marigolds were also selected for their shape, color, and form.

Ancient China                                                                                                              

The ancient Egyptians were not the only ones engaging in flower arranging during ancient times. In fact, the Chinese were making flower arrangements as far back as 207 BCE to 220 CE, which is the Han era of ancient China. During this time, flowers were an integral component of religious teaching as well as medicine. In fact, the ancient Chinese classified and described various herbs based on their medicinal uses and flowers were an important part of religious ceremonies.

Those following Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian thinking all routinely placed cut flowers in their altars. This practice dates back to at least 618-906 CE. In addition to placing cut flowers in water at their temples, the ancient Chinese showed their love and appreciation for flowers in other ways as well. This includes creating paintings, carvings, and embroidered items with depictions of flowers. These paintings can be found on vases, plates, scrolls, and even silk. The carvings made by the ancient Chinese are made with many different types of materials, including wood, bronze, jade and ivory.

Since Buddhist teachings forbade the taking of a life of any form, religious practitioners worked sparingly when taking cuttings from plants. In addition, the flowers and leaves that were used to make basket arrangements were carefully selected based on their symbolic meaning. For example, the bamboo, the peach tree, and the pear tree were used to symbolize the importance of living a long life. Other flowers, such as the tiger lily, the pomegranate, and the orchid, symbolized fertility. The most honored of all flowers, however, was the peony. This flower, which is referred to as being known as “the king of flowers,” symbolized wealth, good fortune, and high position.

[The Byzantine Empire                                                                                                During the period from 500 to 1453 CE, the Byzantine Empire made its contribution to floral arrangements. The arrangements made by their culture typically included a cone shape design. The cone-shaped foliage was placed in chalices and urns, which were further decorated with brightly colored flowers and fruit. Flowers commonly included in these arrangements were daisies, lilies, cypress, carnations, and pine. Ribbons were also commonly used in these arrangements.

[Flower arranging reaches Europe                                                                           

 The concept of flower arranging didn’t arrive in Europe until around 1000 CE. Before this time, European countries were embroiled in the Dark Ages and people had little room for pleasures in their own lives. As they came out of this period, however, plants and flowers started to be commonly used for decoration. This was particularly true in churches and monasteries where flowers and plants were used for food as well as for decoration. As crusaders came back from the Middle East, they brought new and interesting plants with them. As a result, European countries were able to begin experimenting with plants that were previously unknown to them.

The Italian Renaissance helped give flower arranging an extra spark in European countries. It was during this time period that a wide variety of arrangement styles began to develop. By the time the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries rolled around, flower arrangements were commonplace and a wide variety of materials were used to make containers for holding the flowers. These included marble, heavy Venetian glass, and bronze.

Flower arrangements made during this time introduced a whole new element - using tropical fruits. These arrangements also focused on creating contrast with color. Some of the popular flowers used in arrangements at this time included the Lilium Candidum, or Madonna lilu, which was used to symbolize fertility and chastity. Other popular choices included narcissus, pinks, iris, jasmine, pansies, French marigolds, cornflowers, and rosemary.