Historical Influences
on Floral Design
1
Introduction
For centuries, flowers have
played an important role in many
traditions and customs. Flowers
continue to be used by many
cultures around the world for
decoration and adornment.
2
Introduction
Early civilizations throughout
history have greatly influenced
today’s geometric and
contemporary floral design
styles. Today, floral design
continues to change because of
trends and cultural influences.
3
Ancient Civilizations
The ancient Egyptian, Greek, and
Roman civilizations influenced floral
art and design through their use
and arrangement of floral
materials.
4
Egyptians (2800-28 B.C.)
Floral materials
were used for
religious and civic
events to honor
pharaohs/kings
and gods. They
also used flowers
for personal
enjoyment and
decoration.
5
Egyptians (2800-28 B.C.)
Floral arrangements in this era
were known to not show the stems
of the flowers
6
Egyptians (2800-28 B.C.)
They also decorated banquet
tables with open vases, bowls,
and baskets of flowers, fruits,
and vegetables.
7
Egyptians (2800-28 B.C.)
The Egyptians used clay pottery for
most of the floral arrangements.
8
Egyptians (2800-28 B.C.)
Design styles of the Egyptians were
simplistic, repetitious, and orderly.
Predominant colors included the
primary colors red, yellow, and
blue.
9
Greeks (600-146 B.C.)
The Greeks wore wreaths upon
their heads and garlands around
their necks. They also scattered
flower petals on the ground during
banquets and festivals.
10
Greeks (600-146 B.C.)
The Greeks
arranged loose
flowers, fruits, and
grains in upright
cornucopias to
present as
offerings or gifts.
11
Romans (28 B.C.-325 A.D.)
The Romans continued the customs
of the Greeks. However, the Romans
also valued flowers for their
fragrance and symbolism.
12
Byzantine (320-600 A.D.)
For a time after the fall of the
Roman Empire, the Byzantine
culture continued the floral art and
design traditions of the Romans.
13
Byzantine (320-600 A.D.)
Byzantine floral designs included
garlands constructed of narrow
bands of fruit and flowers,
alternated with foliage.
14
Byzantine (320-600 A.D.)
The Byzantine
culture was also
known for its
symmetrical,
conical, tree-style
designs of foliage in
containers, with
flowers and fruit
spaced at regular
intervals
throughout.
15
European Tradition
Historical periods of European culture
that have influenced floral art and
design include:
• Middle Ages
• Baroque
• English-Georgian
• Renaissance
• Flemish-Dutch
• Victorian
16
European Tradition
Middle Ages (475-1400 A.D.)
Little is known about floral design
during the Middle Ages with the
exception of Persian art. Floral
paintings show flowers arranged
in vases in an informal, naturalistic
style. Some Oriental influence is
also seen in the color schemes of
these floral paintings.
17
European Tradition
Middle Ages (475-1400 A.D.)
During the Middle Ages, wreaths
and garlands served as decoration
and personal adornment. Interest
and emphasis in flowers and plant
materials focused on their use in
drinks, medicines, fragrances, and
food.
18
European Tradition
Renaissance (1400-1600)
During the Renaissance, an interest
in gardening spread from Italy and
throughout Europe. People began to
appreciate the beauty and
symbolism of flowers. Flowers
started to represent religious history.
19
European Tradition
Renaissance (1400-1600)
Examples of floral styles during
this era included:
• a single flower stem in a vase;
• massed symmetrical arrangements
in urns; and
• compact, conical arrangements
consisting of a variety of flowers
with bright colors and distinctive
forms.
20
European Tradition
Baroque (1600-1700)
Floral designs characteristic of the
Baroque Period originated in Italy and
later spread into Holland and
Belgium.
Early Baroque style arrangements
were symmetrical, oval-shaped, and
characterized by ornamentation
including cherubs and scrolls.
21
European Tradition
Baroque (1600-1700)
Later in the Baroque Period, design
styles became asymmetrical, with a
characteristic “S” curve or “Line of
Beauty” that was later named the
“Hogarth Curve” in honor of
William Hogarth, an 18th century
English painter.
22
European Tradition
Baroque (1600-1700)
23
European Tradition Flemish-Dutch
(1500-1700)
The Flemish-Dutch period was an age
of discovery in horticulture. During
this period, diverse plants such as
chrysanthemums, cacti, nasturtiums,
and sunflowers were introduced to
Europe by merchant marines who
had traveled to other regions of the
world.
24
European Tradition Flemish-Dutch
(1500-1700)
Paintings of floral arrangements
from the Flemish-Dutch period
show a variety of flowers from all
seasons, which would not have
existed in an actual floral
arrangement.
25
European Tradition
Flemish-Dutch (1500-1700)
Accents of fruits,
shells, nests, and
additional flowers
near the base of
the container
were also
characteristic of
Flemish designs.
26
European Tradition
English-Georgian (1700s)
During the English-Georgian period of the
1700s, the English were passionate about
flowers and gardening. Floral design
features characterized during this period
included:
• Symmetrical and triangular forms.
• One flower type, or a variation of
one color.
• Flower fragrance.
27
European Tradition
English-Georgian (1700s)
A characteristic floral design of the
English-Georgian period was the
nosegay, a small hand-held bouquet
of fragrant flowers. The nosegay was
carried by both men and women and
was believed to provide relief from
the unpleasant odors and infectious
diseases that were prevalent during
that period.
28
European Tradition
English-Georgian (1700s)
29
European Tradition
Victorian (1830-1890)
During the Victorian or Romantic
period, floral design techniques
were taught and recognized as a
professional art. Floral design
schools were being to get their
start. Design styles that influenced
those of this era were: Baroque,
Classic, and Rococo.
30
European Tradition
Victorian (1830-1890)
31
European Tradition
Victorian (1830-1890)
Design styles characteristic of the
Victorian era were either:
• large, compact masses of
flowers; or
• light, open, and informal.
32
European Tradition
Victorian (1830-1890)
The compact massed nature of
Victorian designs did not allow
open spaces or a center of interest
to be distinguishable. However,
one distinct feature of these
designs was the use of trailing
plant materials to create a
romantic touch.
33
Asian Influence
In contrast to Western or
European floral design that
emphasized massed
arrangements, Asian floral art
focused on line, simplicity, and
symbolism.
34
Asian Influence
Flower Meanings
Bamboo = Modesty
Hollow Stems = Empty Heart
White Lily = Chastity & Fertility
35
Asian Influence
Chinese (500 B.C.-100 A.D.)
Chinese arrangements placed in
ornate containers were large and
made with few varieties of plant
materials. The floral designs
focused on few flowers and
interesting branches with a vertical
element. The emphasis in Chinese
designs focused on naturalism.
36
Asian Influence
Chinese (500 B.C.-100 A.D.)
37
Asian Influence
Japanese (621 A.D.-Present Day)
Japanese design styles are more
carefully planned and stylized
compared to Chinese designs.
Ikebana is the Japanese art of floral
design, which literally means “to
arrange flowers”.
38
Asian Influence
Japanese (621 A.D.-Present Day)
39
Asian Influence
Japanese (621 A.D.-Present Day)
Significant Flowers in Japan
Chrysanthemum – A flowering herb in
China that has become a part of
the Japanese seal
Easter Lily – Native flower to Japan
40
Asian Influence
Japanese (621 A.D.-Present Day)
Ikebana design features three primary
elements or line placements:
• Shin (Heaven)
• Soe (Man)
• Hikae or Tai
(Earth)
41
Asian Influence
Japanese (621 A.D.-Present Day)
These elements are emphasized
in Japanese design through
design simplicity and the use of
negative space.
42
American Design Styles
Early American
Floral arrangements of early American
colonists consisted of native plant
materials placed in household
containers. Curly Willow and rocks are
popular in design.
43
American Design Styles
44
American Design Styles
A distinctive American style of
design began to evolve creating
distinctive lines and form within
arrangements. Pyramidal or fan
shape becoming the most popular.
45
American Design Styles
46