floristry

Garland

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:21:18 +0100

Garland (decoration)

Flower garland for a wedding
Garlands on Christmas tree
A garland is a decorative wreath or cord, used at festive occasions, which can be hung round a person's neck, or on inanimate objects likeChristmas trees. Originally garlands were made of flowers or leaves. In modern times, other materials have been used.
From the French "guirlande", itself from the Italian "ghirlanda", a braid.
flower garland (e.g. phuang malai, a Thai flower garland)
tinsel garland
pine garland
rope garland
popcorn and/or cranberry garland
bead garland
vine garland

A garland created from the daisy flower, generally as a children's game, is called a daisy chain. One method of creating a daisy chain is as follows: Daisies are picked and a hole is made towards the base of the stem, generally by piercing with fingernails or tying a knot. The stem of the next flower can be threaded through until stopped by the head of the flower. By repeating this with many daisies, it is possible to build up long chains and to form them into simple bracelets and necklaces.^[1]
There is another popular method which involves pressing the flower heads against each other, so that the final chain looks like a caterpillar.
The term "daisy chain", or "daisy chaining", can also refer to various technical and social "chains".
A daisy chain

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Ikebana

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:11:22 +0100

Ikebana arrangement

A Japanese hanging scroll (kakemono) and Ikebana

Ikebana (生け花^?, "arranged flower"^[1]) is the Japanese art of flower arrangement, also known as kadō (華道^?, the "way of flowers").

More than simply putting flowers in a container, ikebana is a disciplined art form in which nature and humanity are brought together. Contrary to the idea of floral arrangement as a collection of particolored or multicolored arrangement of blooms, ikebana often emphasizes other areas of the plant, such as its stems and leaves, and draws emphasis towards shape, line, form. Though ikebana is a creative expression, it has certain rules governing its form. The main(?) rule is that all the elements used in construction must be organic, be they branches, leaves, grasses, or flowers. The artist's intention behind each arrangement is shown through a piece's color combinations, natural shapes, graceful lines, and the usually implied meaning of the arrangement.

Another aspect present in ikebana is its employment of minimalism. That is, an arrangement may consist of only a minimal number of blooms interspersed among stalks and leaves. The structure of a Japanese flower arrangement is based on a scalene triangle delineated by three main points, usually twigs, considered in some schools to symbolize heaven, earth, and man and in others sun, moon, love & earth. The container is also a key element of the composition, and various styles of pottery may be used in their construction.

]Origin of Ikebana schools: Ikenobo The history of Ikebana dates back to approximately 500 years ago and the History of Ikenobo--the oldest school of Ikebana. The school dates its beginnings from a priest of the Rokkakudo Temple (六角堂)--official name is Shiun-ji (Purple Cloud Temple "紫雲寺") in Kyoto who was so skilled in flower arrangement that other priests sought him out for instruction. As he lived by the side of a lake, for which the Japanese word is Ikenobo "池坊", the name Ikenobo became attached to the priests there who specialized in these altar arrangements.

The Rokkakudo temple was erected in 587 by Prince Shotoku (聖徳太子). It is said that Prince Shotoku was searching for materials to build the Shitenno Temple (四天王寺). During his search, one day he went to bathe in a pond, where he hung a Buddhist amulet over a nearby tree. After his bath, he tried to remove the amulet, but he was unable to do so. That same night, the Prince saw the Buddha in his dream. The Buddha instructed him to erect a temple near the pond at the cedar tree under a purple cloud. From that cedar wood Rokkakudo temple was built to house a Kannon (Quan-Yin) Goddess statue.

Spiritual Aspects of Ikebana

The spiritual aspect of Ikebana is considered very important to its practitioners. Silence is a must during practices of Ikebana. It is a time to appreciate things in nature that people often overlook because of their busy lives. One becomes more patient and tolerant of differences, not only in nature, but also in general. Ikebana can inspire to identify with beauty in all art forms. This is also the time when one feels closeness to nature which provides relaxation for the mind, body, and soul.

[Evolution of styles

Patterns and styles evolved so that by the late 15th century, arrangements were common enough that they were appreciated by ordinary people, not just the imperial family and its retainers.

Ikebana in the beginning was very simple, constructed only a very few stems of flowers and evergreen branches. This first form of Ikebana is called Kuge "供華".

Different styles of Ikebana changed in the late 15th century and were appreciated even by the common people. Ikebana transformed into an art form with fixed instructions. Books were written and Sedensho is the oldest book covering years 1443 to 1536. Ikebana became a major part of traditional festivals and exhibitions were held occasionally.

The first styles were a tall upright central stem that had to be accompanied by two shorter stems. During the Momoyama period in Japan, 1560-1600, splendid castles were constructed. Noblemen and royal retainers did large decorative Rikka floral arrangement which was that most appropriate decoration for the castles.

The Rikka (standing flowers) style was developed as a Buddhist expression of beauty of nature. It includes seven branches representing hills, waterfalls, valleys, and other objects of nature arranged in a specific way.

When the tea ceremony emerged, another style was introduced. The style used for tea ceremony rooms was called Chabana. The Chabana style is the opposite of Momoyama style which emphasized on rustic simplicity. The simplicity of the Chabana helped create the Nageire or “thrown-in” style.

Nageire is a non-structured design which led to the development of the Seika or Shoka style. The style is characterized by a tight bundle of stems which form a triangular three-branched asymmetrical arrangement which was considered classic.

Seika or Shoka style consists of only three main branches, known as ten (heaven), chi (earth), and jin (man). It is a simple style which is designed to show the beauty and uniqueness of the plant itself.

Jiyuka: is a free creative design. It is not confined to flowers, every material can be used. There is an iPhone application with the same name, that reflects this style.

Other common styles in the present

In the 20th century, with the advent of modernism, the three schools of Ikebana partially gave way to what is commonly known in Japan as Free Style.

Moribana (upright style)– it is considered as the most basic structure in Ikebana. Moribana literally means “piled-up flowers” which are arranged in a shallow vase or suiban, compote, or basket. Moribana is secured on kenzan or needle point holders, also known as metal frogs.

Moribana (slanting style)- reversed arranging style that can also be used depending on the placement of the display or shapes of the branches. Branches which look beautiful when slanted are mostly chosen for this arrangement. This style gives a softer impression than the upright style

Bouquet

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:24:01 +0100

An example of a cascading flower bouquet. The flowers cascade downward.
A flower bouquet is a collection of flowers in a creative arrangement. There are different kinds including nosegay, hand-tied, and cascading bouquets. Flower bouquets are often given for special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries. They are also used extensively in weddings. Traditionally thebride will hold the bouquet, and the Maid of Honor will hold it during the ceremony. After the wedding the bride will toss it over her shoulder, and it is believed that whoever catches the bouquet is the next in line to be married. This practice may be related to the Golden Apple of Discord myth.
A wedding bouquet of flowers or roses is an idea that was brought up years ago and then became a tradition. When an upper class bride walked down the aisle, she was required to hold a bouquet of roses or flowers to prevent body odor from spreading.

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History of Flower Arrangement

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:59:00 +0100

The history of flower arrangement dates back to the ancient Egyptians.

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.

Language of Flowers

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:53:37 +0100

Purple lilac symbolizes "first emotions of love" in the language of flowers.

The language of flowers, sometimes called floriography, was a Victorian-era means of communication in which various flowers and floral arrangements were used to send coded messages, allowing individuals to express feelings which otherwise could not be spoken. This language was most commonly communicated through Tussie-Mussies, an art which has a following today.

The nuances of the language are now mostly forgotten, but red roses still imply passionate, romantic love and pink roses a lesser affection; white roses suggest virtue and chastity and yellow roses still stand for friendship or devotion. Also commonly known meanings are sunflowers, which can indicate either haughtiness or respect – they were the favorite flower of St. Julie Billiart for this reason. Gerbera (daisy) means innocence or purity. The iris, being named for the messenger of the gods in Greek mythology, still represents the sending of a message. A pansy signifies thought, a daffodil regard, and a strand of ivy; fidelity.

Though most popular in the Victorian period, the symbolic use of flowers dates back to antiquity. In medieval and Renaissance culture, flowers were often given moral meanings. This is most apparent in art in which saints are often depicted with flowers that are symbolic of their virtues. Liana DeGirolami Cheney notes that "some of the Christian symbols for Virginity or Chastity are the white rose, the myrtle, a vessel or vase, the lily, and the unicorn".^[1]

The Turkish "Salem", or language of objects, developed to communicate any message without the need to write.

There is also an independent Japanese flower language, called hanakotoba.^[2]

Symbolic meaning of flowers

Flower		Meaning ^[3]
Abecedary		Volubility
Abatina		Fickleness
Acacia		Secret love
Acanthus		Art
Acalia		Temperance
Aconite		Misanthropy
Agrimony		Thankfulness
Aloe		Grief
Almond		Promise
Amaranth (Globe)		Immortal love
Anemone		Forsaken, Sickness
Angrec		Royalty
Apple-blossom		Preference
Arbor vitae		Everlasting friendship
Balm		Social intercourse or sympathy
Balsamine		Impatience
Bay wreath		Glory
Bee orchid		Industry
Bellflower		Thinking of you
Bells of Ireland		Luck
Bird's foot trefoil		Revenge
Box		Constancy
Floristry A vase arrangement of Princess Irene tulips and berries A hat and corsage arrangement made for a floristry competition, New South Wales. Floristry is the general term used to describe the professional floral trade. It encompasses flower care and handling, floral design or flower arranging, merchandising, and display and flower delivery. Wholesale florists sell bulk flowers and related supplies to professionals in the trade. Retail florists offer fresh flowers and related products and services to consumers. Floristry is a term that refers to the cultivation of flowers as well as their arrangement, and to the business of selling them. However, the floral industry is the basic drive behind floristry. Florist shops, along with online stores are the main flower-only outlets, but supermarkets, garden supply stores andfilling stations also sell flowers. Floral Design or floral arts is the art of creating flower arrangements in vases, bowls, baskets or other containers, or making bouquets and compositions from cut flowers, foliages, herbs, ornamental grasses and other botanical materials. Often the terms "floral design" and "floristry" are considered synonymous. Florists are people who work with flowers and plants, generally at the retail level. The term is not to be confused withfloristics (the study of distribution and relationships of plant species over geographic areas.). Floristry is also not to be confused with horticulturewhich more broadly relates to the cultivation of flowers and plants. The craft and business The craft of floristry involves various skills. These include selecting flowers that will look good together (based on principles of design or general instinct), knowing how to cut, treat, and arrange flowers and other stock plants so they will remain fresh as long as possible, and (as explained above) selling them, which involves knowledge of customer requirements and expectations. Knowing how to form wreaths, bouquets, corsages, boutonnières/'buttonholes', artificial arrangements and other more complicated arrangements is also important. Wreaths can be made out of many different types of flowers and plants, and often include ribbon and artificial product. Salix discolor used in a decorative arrangement outside ahotel in Boston, Massachusetts. Painting of a Chinese flower basket, by Southern Song artist Li Song. Ink and color on silk, late 12^th-early 13^th century. The flowers sold in florist shops typically represent the varieties abundantly available in the season but also include blossoms flown in from around the world. Basic varieties include roses, tulips, irises, orchids and lilies. Fashion sometimes plays a role in floristry; what is considered the flower that everyone needs to have today can change very quickly. Some shops also stock gift baskets, fruit, and chocolates as well as flowers, whereas some shops will purchase these things only when needed for an order. Floral business is seasonal and is heavily influenced by the following holidays and events: Christmas, Valentine's Day, Administrative Professionals' Day, Mothers' Day, All Souls Day, Advent, Easter, weddings and funerals.^[1] These occasions make up the largest part of the business, with the sale of house plants and home decor being a smaller, but more constant, part. Flowers for personal enjoyment as well as those selected to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, thank-you's and get well wishes are also a significant portion of a florist's business. Floral education, both formal and informal, is another significant segment of the floral industry. Established Floral Designers and Artists impart their craft to students interested in floral design as hobby or career. Courses are generally available in university Horticulture departments, through community colleges, via private post-secondary vocational schools and through professional florist trade associations. The floral business has been impacted significantly by the corporate and social event world in as much as flowers play a large part in the decor of special events and meetings. Centerpieces, entryways, reception tables, bridal bouquets, wedding chuppahs and stage sets and only a few examples of how flowers are used in the business and social event arenas. Styles of floristry Many nations have their own style of floral arranging. Ikebana Ikebana is a style of floral design that originated in Japan. Most well known for its simplicity of line and form, Ikebana is a design style primarily practiced^{[citation needed]} for personal enjoyment. English Garden English Garden style is traditionally an English form of floral design. Stems are placed in a radial fashion and feature abundant use of seasonal flowers and foliages. These designs are often done as low, tufted mounds, or taller vase arrangements that are all-sided (360°), and incorporate garden flowers like roses, delphinium and peonies. Many florists that follow this design style do not use Baby's Breath, Carnations and Leatherleaf. High Style High Style is a catch-all term to describe contemporary, linear designs that highlights unique forms of both individual floral materials and of the designs themselves. Arrangements generally feature negative space and incorporate asymmetric placement of materials. The style stands in direct contrast to traditional radial arrangements such as English Garden. High Style designs often incorporate unique, exotic or tropical flowers such as such as Birds of Paradise,

floristry

Garland

Garland (decoration)

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Ikebana

Spiritual Aspects of Ikebana

[Evolution of styles

Other common styles in the present

Bouquet

History of Flower Arrangement

The history of flower arrangement dates back to the ancient Egyptians.

The Ancient Egyptians

The Ancient Greeks and Romans

Ancient China

[Flower arranging reaches Europe

Language of Flowers

Symbolic meaning of flowers

Floristry

The craft and business

Styles of floristry

Ikebana

English Garden

High Style