Lessons; esthetics

European flower art, brief history

This page contains following subjects:

  • The roots
  • Exist European flower art

The roots

In Europe flower art is, just as it is in the East, exist from religion. When we look at the history of culture, we can see in Europe the development started to be more important in the time of the Romans. Bouquets and funeral flowers often used in daily life. In Greece wreathes where used by the Olympic games as a symbol of honor to the athlete who is winning the game. Also as decoration on temples and buildings flowers and leaves became more popular.

In the Roman Empire head wreathes, garlands and other decorative elements where used. Many leaves and flowers where used in ceremonies. In the same time we see the use of flower decorations made of stone.

Flowers play a role in the RK-church, as symbol in the ceremony. Many flowers became a special symbol or meaning in daily life. Paintings give us examples of these.

In the rich middle centuries, if cities grow and kings and merchants became rich, the use of flowers increased.

A rich festoon, made of Quercus leaves. Photo from the book Lint (ribbons and how to work with it).

Flower arrangements decorated tables during feasts, often combined with vegetables and fruit. During the time of king Lodewijk in France this is developed further on.

In the Victorian time ladies wear flower wreath, corsages and garlands on their dress and have a small bouquet in their hand. Feasts became real flower feasts in those days.

Wedding bouquets became more popular and became a traditional element by the wedding. In the Biedermeier time 1820-850 many new decorative very compact arrangements where developed. They are still today very popular. At the end of the 19e century the profession as flower arranger, floral designer and the flower shop exist.

Is there European flower art?

Europe is not only one single country. There are many countries, all with their own history and culture. The development and present level of flower art is very different in all those countries. There is not one uniform European flower art. The many languages spoken and the differences in culture are the reason also flower art is very different between the countries.

E few important flower art countries in Europe are:

  • Germany
  • The Netherlands
  • Belgium
  • Austria
  • Denmark
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • France

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Last update of this page 23.05.2004