Flower arrangement can be so appealing and so fun but have you ever wondered how flower arrangement came to be or how it begun?

 

EGYPT

Earliest known flower arrangement dates back to ancient Egypt, where they would cut flowers and place them in vases and color their surroundings. The first florist by trade were Egyptians and were commissioned to have very high stylized arrangements. They would carefully arrange flowers that had a symbolic meaning according to religion.

 

ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME

Unlike the ancient Egyptians, though, the Greeks and Romans weren’t huge fans of vases, opting for wreaths and garlands instead. Typically, these wreaths and garlands were decorated with a mix of traditional flowers and earthy foliage. Ancient Romans were also known to be head-over-heels in love with roses. At dinner parties, which they referred to as the “Hour of Rose,” Romans sometimes covered the entire floor with rose petals, sometimes measuring up to one foot in depth.

 

ANCIENT CHINA

China was not left behind during flower arrangement. Unlike the Romans and Greeks of the past, though, much more emphasis was placed on the religious significance behind floral arrangements. When creating a floral arrangement, the ancient Chinese paid close attention to the meanings attached to the flowers and the message they wanted the arrangement to send.

Bamboo, peach trees, and pear trees symbolized longevity, while tiger lilies and orchids represented fertility.

 

EUROPE

This are the middle ages. After the Roman Empire fell, flower arranging in Europe reverted to a niche practice, typically only performed by monks who had access to gardens and often harvested wildflowers. Italy was the first in Europe to incorporate flowers in paintings, they were the first to paint flowers in a vase, thus creating a need for floral design.

 

RENAISSANCE PERIOD

The people in the Renaissance period were much better off than their medieval counterparts in terms of standard of living and education. And for that reason, they were able to enjoy some of the finer things in life, like gorgeous flower arrangements.

VICTORIAN ERA

Victorians were by far the most flower-obsessed. Flowers were considered a sign of luxury and sophistication. Victorians had quite a unique floral design style. Instead of minimal, patiently thought-out arrangements, Victorians tightly packed cut flowers into vases with a blatant disregard for complimentary colors, minimalism, or uniformity. The designs were often asymmetrical, chaotic, loud, and featured huge color variations.

 

BY TRACY KINUTHIA
MD – GOULDIAN FLOWERS

Location: A2 Mayfair MaIsonettes
Mpaka Road, Westlands
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Website: http://www.gouldianflowers.com/