Flower Arranging History

Flower arranging has been around for centuries and dates back to ancient Egypt to 2,500 BCE.  Egyptians were the first to cut and place flowers in a vase to decorate and add color to their surroundings. They were known as the first florists by trade and commissioned to place very high stylized arrangements around burials, processions, and table decorations.

The Greeks and the Romans used flowers while incorporating herbs and olive branches with their floral design. Romans preferred flower was the rose, these beautiful flowers were used for dressing tables during many meals due to its overwhelming fragrance.  Laurel wreaths were created and presented to athletes who won in the ancient Olympics, flowers are still presented in today’s Olympic games.

China was not left behind with their flower arranging dating as far back as 207 BCE. Being a florist in China, you were held with great respect and honor.  Flowers were a component of religious teachings and medicine. The most typical design was a cone shape design with the most honored flower the peony, “The King of Flowers.”

Flower arranging finally reaches Europe by 476 AD. Flowers were popular in churches and monasteries where flowers were used for food (to eat) as well as decoration. An important part of flower arranging was with herbs, which was used as a spiritual symbol in arranging. Italy, incorporating flowers in paintings, were the first to paint flowers in a vase, thus creating a need for floral design. Adorning your balcony with flowers and petals in baskets was an inviting sign to your home.

Large tall flowers in a vase were a sign of wealth and success and considered “trendy” in the United States. Floral design was compact and asymmetrical and stacked tightly with many different flowers and colors for an unplanned look. Flowers were also a sign of respect and kindness when giving as a gift during this time and created lots of need for florists. Men ideally wore a boutonniere daily during their travels; think of it as the businessmen attire.

Centuries have past, but one thing remains, flower arranging is a timeless art.