Floral Design in the Western World/Timeline

1. Floral Design in the Western World/Timeline • Ancient Civilizations • Egyptian Period / 2800 - 28 B.C. • Greek Period / 600 - 146 B.C. • Roman Period / 28 B.C. - 325 A.D.

2. Egyptian Period(2800-28 B.C.) • Flowers and floral design are often shown in Egyptian art • Uses of cut flowers and foliage • religious ceremonies • decorative purposes in the home • personal adornment

3. Egyptian Floral Designs • Simplistic, repetitious, highly stylized • Flowers and fruit placed in carefully alternating patterns, resulting in regimented rows • Other flower designs included chaplets, wreaths, and garlands • Primary colors and other vibrant color combinations used

4. Sacred Egyptian Flower • Lotus flower was the flower of the Egyptian goddess, Isis, and considered sacred • Commonly depicted in Egyptian art

5. Greek Period • Flowers and petals scattered on the ground during festivals • Flowers used in wreaths and garlands • Wreaths - the symbol of allegiance /dedication • Also worn at weddings and used to decorate homes, statues, and graves • Books written on proper etiquette for wearing wreaths and garlands

6. Greek Period • Garland makers were the flower designers of their day. • Greeks were the first to have professional florists.

7. Greek Period • Cornucopia - Horn of Plenty

8. Roman Period(28 B.C.-325 A.D.) • Garlands and wreaths more elaborate than Greeks. • Flowers were highly fragrant and brightly colored. • Rose petals scattered lavishly during festivals

9. Roman Festivals • The Roman goddess, Flora, was the custodian of blossoming plants • Floralia Festival • Honored Flora • City decorated in flowers, and the people would wear floral wreaths or flowers in their hair • Now known as May Day

10. Roman Period • Began arranging flowers in baskets • Roman mosaic (2nd century) now displayed in the Vatican showed a mix of flowers in various colors and forms