Flower Arrangements
Enhancing the beauty of flowers with artistic arrangement is the art of flower arrangements. Flower arrangements are an important part of the ambiance on any occasion: weddings, birthdays, parties or any other events in life.
Design and color create an ambiance using flowers, foliage and other floral accessories. However, flower arrangement is not an art to be reserved only for special occasions. A few flowers on the kitchen table or in the living or any part of the house can be as important in their own way as a full scale decoration for a big occasion. It beautifies homes and offices. Flower arrangements are made out of fresh cut flowers, dried flowers and artificial flowers as well.
Roses are the most popular flowers used in floral arrangements, closely followed by carnations, gerbera daisies and chrysanthemums. The use of flowers in flower arrangements also depends on the occasion for which they are made and the recipient’s likes and dislikes.
Floral Bouquets. Floral bouquets are simple and easier to assemble than a formal flower arrangement. Bouquets made of roses are the most popular, followed by carnations, gerbera daisies and chrysanthemums.
Table Centerpieces. Centerpieces are nothing but the normal floral arrangements, designed to be placed on tables when dinners are hosted on such occasions like Christmas, family reunions, or even birthdays. You can convey a theme for the occasion using a memorabilia or traditional decorations.
Floral Baskets. Floral baskets are flower arrangements done in baskets of varied depths. Flowers for the floral baskets should therefore be chosen on the basis of the depth of the basket. They are very popular as gifts on special occasions like Christmas, Mother’s day, etc.
Floral Wreaths. A floral arrangement in the form of a circular garland, usually woven of flowers and foliage, that traditionally indicates honor or celebration. Wreaths are especially very popular on funerals as a symbol of honoring the deceased. Besides, they are also very much used on occasions to welcome the guests as welcome wreaths when dinners are hosted.
Japanese culture expanded flower arrangement into a meditative practice, which had its roots in beliefs and philosophies.
Ikebana. The Japanese word for the art of flower arrangement, comes the words, “ikeru,” meaning “keep alive, arrange flowers, living” and “hana,” meaning flower. Translations could also include “giving life to flowers” and “arranging flowers.”
Ikebana is the art of arranging flowers in water. It is also known as kado, which means way of flowers. Ikebana emphasizes most on measurement, the scale of floral arrangement. The main reason of Ikebana is to bring nature indoors and make it live in the floral arrangement that is being made.
Originally, the first school of Ikebana was divided into three styles:The Shin – The formal style involved an erect linear arrangement in a bronze container, arranged on a carved teakwood stand; The Gyo, or semi-formal school – The school features flowing, sweeping lines and the use of a variety of containers; and The So, or informal school – The school displayed flowers in bamboo vases, baskets, and natural wood containers as well as in pottery. The flowers are seated on bases of bamboo or natural wood.
Ikebana can inspire one to identify with beauty in all art forms. This is also the time when one feels closeness to nature, which provides relaxation for the mind, body and soul.