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62,000 BCE
Where the tradition of flowers at funerals
Solecki discovered several burial sites there and uncovered pollen and flower fragments from multiple species of wildflowers that were later discovered to have been there since 62,000 B.C. Soil samples determined that these flowers were placed on the burial site, marking them as the first flowers to have been used for -
2800 BCE
Egyptians
From 2800 B.C. to 28 B.C.
Used flowers for decorations,
garlands, wreaths and temple offerings. Utilized simplistic design principles applied a particular pattern several times -
800 BCE
Wedding Flowers in Antiquity
Wedding Flowers in Antiquity - 800 to 500 BCE
There is some cultural evidence of floral use in weddings during the earliest recorded historical period in Egypt, Greece and Rome. An ancient Egyptian, Greek or Roman wedding was a rite of passage to ensure the continuance of a dynasty, cement a trade alliance, or create more hands to work the family enterprise -
456 BCE
Middle Ages
456-1450AD
Containers were made of Chinese porcelain and decorated with lions birds and dragons.
Flowers were grown and cultivated freshen air -
320 BCE
Byzantines
From 320 to 600 A.D.
Brought together Greek and Roman Period
influences Began to incorporate fruit within garlands
Placed arrangements in baskets, goblets or low containers -
28 BCE
Romans
From 28 B.C. to 325 A.D.
Continued to use the same customs of the Greek period
designs of their garlands, wreaths and crowns were more elaborate
Used less graceful designs compared to the Greeks in baskets and cornucopias -
600
Greek period
600-146 BC
No vases No bouquets Flowers were scattered on the ground Wreaths worn around forehead by Greeks during special events and presented to outstanding athletes to symbolize victory Each flower symbolized a God or hero -
1300
Baroque
14th-17th century
Common people could buy flowers Designs for decoration Curved lines rather than straight Massive and overflowing Hogarth Curve: William Hogarth, asymmetrical, "s" shaped -
1300
Renaissance
14th Century
From Italy spread throughout Europe Art represents Religious history Brilliant Colors used Arrangements were large, tall, pyramidal, and symmetrically balanced All blossoms visible Massive metal urns' hite lily represents fertility and chastity Roses represents sacred or profane love -
1532
How Sunflowers were discovered
These flowers always turn towards the sun. They originated in Central and South America, and were grown for their usefulness, not their beauty. In 1532 Francisco Pizarro reported seeing the natives of the Inca Empire in Peru worshipping a giant sunflower. Incan priestesses wore large sunflower disks made of gold on their garments.. -
Colonial Williamsburg
From 1740 to 1780
Placed grasses, flowers and foliage into
fan-shaped arrangements Began to mix different floral bouquets together -
Alstroemeria
Alstroemeria is named after the Swedish botanist Baron Klas von Alstroemer. This South American flower's seeds were among many collected by von Alstroemer on a trip to Spain in 1753. -
How Violets were discovered
When Napoleon married Josephine she wore violets, and on each anniversary Josephine received a bouquet of violets. Following Napoleon’s lead, the French Bonapartists chose the violet as their emblem, and nicknamed Napoleon "Corporal Violet". In 1814, Napoleon asked to visit Josephine's tomb before being exiled to the Island of St. Helena. When he died, he wore a locket around his neck that contained violets he had picked from Josephine’s gravesite. -
Victorian Era
1837-1901 AD
Named for Queen Victoria Designs were poor Asymmetrical with no focal point Towards the end of the time period they were the first to establish rules on flower arranging -
Moder
1910 AD-present
Changed very little in early years Corsages became popular in 1920s Results of a designer's individual expression and requires a creative mind
