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.)
The Egyptians
wove together
flowers, foliage,
and fruit to
create wreaths
and garlands
that were worn
as headpieces.
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 selected floral
materials that were native to the
Nile River Valley such as:
Gladiolus
Ivy
Lily
Rose
Papyrus
Lotus
Narcissus
Iris
Palm
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
Romans (28 B.C.-325 A.D.)
Flowers and foliage represented in
the floral art and design of the Greek
and Roman cultures included:
Crocus
Daisy
Honeysuckle
Hyacinth
Iris
Lily
Rose
Fragrant Herbs
Laurel
Myrtle
Olive Branches
Oak Leaves
13
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.
14
Byzantine (320-600 A.D.)
Byzantine floral designs
included garlands constructed
of narrow bands of fruit and
flowers, alternated with foliage.
15
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.
16
European Tradition
Historical periods of European
culture that have influenced floral
art and design include:
• Middle Ages
• Baroque
• English-Georgian
• Renaissance
• Flemish-Dutch
• Victorian
17
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.
18
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.
19
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.
20
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.
21
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.
22
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.
23
European Tradition
Baroque (1600-1700)
24
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.
25
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.
26
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.
27
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.
28
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.
29
European Tradition
English-Georgian (1700s)
30
European Tradition
Victorian (1830-1890)
During the Victorian or
Romantic period, floral design
techniques were taught and
recognized as a professional
art. Design styles that
influenced those of this era
were: Baroque, Classic, and
Rococo.
31
European Tradition
Victorian (1830-1890)
32
European Tradition
Victorian (1830-1890)
Design styles characteristic of
the Victorian era were either:
• large, compact masses of
flowers; or
• light, open, and informal.
33
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.
34
Asian Influence
In contrast to Western or
European floral design that
emphasized massed
arrangements, Asian floral art
focused on line, simplicity, and
symbolism.
35
Asian Influence
Chinese (500 B.C.-100 A.D.)
The ancient Chinese used
flowers and plant materials for
religious ceremonies. Chinese
arrangements placed in ornate
containers were large and made
with few varieties of plant
materials. 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)
Ikebana design features three primary
elements or line placements:
• Shin (Heaven)
• Soe (Man)
• Hikae or Tai
(Earth)
40
Asian Influence
Japanese (621 A.D.-Present Day)
These elements are emphasized
in Japanese design through
design simplicity and the use of
negative space.
41
American Design Styles
Early American
Floral arrangements of early
American colonists consisted of
native plant materials placed in
household containers.
Floral arrangements of the
Williamsburg period in America
showed the influence of European
styles, as did those of the American
Victorian period that followed.
42
American Design Styles
43
American Design Styles
A distinctive American style of
design began to evolve after
World War II, influenced by East
(Asian) and West (European)
floral art. The design style
became known as Western Line
and gave rise to the term “line
mass”.
44
American Design Styles
Oriental
Influence
European
Influence
American
Western Line
Style
45
Summary
The history of floral design reveals
the origins and traditions of past
cultures that influenced today’s
floral designs and customs.
Current trends arising from the
world’s ever increasing global
community continue to influence
contemporary floral design styles.
Each design carries a legacy of
floral history.
46
Acknowledgements
Jane Gloyd, TMF, AAF, Horticultural Professor (retired),
Richland College, Dallas, Texas organized and
developed the information used in this PowerPoint
presentation.
Christine Stetter, Artist, Instructional Materials Service,
developed and illustrated this PowerPoint presentation.
Keith Zamzow, Curriculum Specialist, Instructional
Materials Service, edited and reviewed this PowerPoint
presentation.
Paintings used in this PowerPoint are in the public
domain. Paintings on slides 44 and 45 are copyrighted
works by Rolf Rasmuss.
47
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Reproduction or redistribution of all, or
part, of this presentation without
written permission is prohibited.
Instructional Materials Service
Texas A&M University
2588 TAMUS
College Station, Texas 77843-2588
http://www-ims.tamu.edu
2006
48