History of Flower Arrangement - The Ancient Greeks and Romans

The Ancient Greeks and Romans

The Greeks and the Romans also used flowers. The ancient Greeks used flowers more for adornment. Herbs were frequently used with the flowers, and as garlands, and wreaths. They did not often use vases, focusing instead on garlands and wreaths. In terracotta they would place plant material such as olive branches. The leafy branches were probably used for weddings. They also tossed petals onto floors and beds. Like the Egyptians, the Greeks and Romans had preferences for the flowers and foliage they used .

The most popular foliage used by the Greeks and the Romans were acorns, oak leaves, laurel, ivy, bay and parsley. Laurel wreaths were presented to winners of athletic competitions in the ancient Olympics. These wreaths were also awarded to individuals winning competition in poetic meets. In Rome they symbolized a military victory and crowned the successful commander in honor of his triumph.The garland wreath was a symbol to the Greeks it represented, power, honor, allegiance, dedication, it was awarded in honor athletes, poets, civic leaders, soldier, and heroes.

The preferred flowers include roses, hyacinths, honeysuckle, violets, and lilies. Other flowers such as tulips, larkspur, and marigolds were also selected for their shape, color, and form.

Wealth and power led the Romans and Greeks to the greater luxury in the use of flowers and like the Egyptian were used in religious rites. As the rose is the symbol of love today and as we know love is a powerful thing the Romans were know to use an abundant of roses. At banquets, roses were strewn on the floor to a depth of one foot, and the flowers " RAINED" from the ceiling.The fragrance of so many roses were almost suffocating ! The Romans used the roses at many meals and because of its overwhelming fragrance it was known as the ***" THE HOUR OF ROSE"***