Floral Design History Quiz

Egyptian Period ca. 2800 BCE - 28 BCE

• Floral design rooted in wall and tomb decorations alongside artefacts.
• Royals emphasized flower, fruit, and foliage arrangements in baskets and vases.
• Cultivated flowers included roses, acacia, violets, jasmine, and sacred lotus.
• Lotus Blossom symbolized Ra, the Sun God.
• Arrangements showcased neatness with no bunching or visible stems in spouted vases.

Greek Period ca. 600 BCE - 46 BCE

• Key floral concepts: garlands, wreaths, and cornucopias.
• Flowers adorned women's hair; lovers exchanged perfumed wreaths.
• Unique floral tributes presented to Olympians and military heroes.
• Official designers established specific rules for wreaths, prioritizing fragrance and symbolism over color.
• Common flowers included hyacinths, honeysuckle, and roses; herbs like thyme were also used.

Roman Period ca. 28 BCE - 325 AD

• Romans adopted and embellished Greek floral styles with regal designs.
• Tapered olive crowns emerged as a symbol of power.
• Introduced exotic flowers such as crocus, oleander, and myrtle.
• Continued use of garlands and embellished arrangements in daily life.
• Ritual practices like placing roses on caskets for remembrance began.

Byzantine Period ca. 320 AD - 600 AD

• Characterized by symmetrical floral designs and elaborate containers.
• Transitioned garland construction to narrow foliage bands with alternating flowers and fruits.
• Introduced the Espalier technique for conical tree shapes with spaced clusters of blooms.

Middle Ages 476 AD - 1400 AD

• European monks were the primary floral designers, focusing on ecclesiastical arrangements.
• Flowers used for religious purposes: wreaths, garlands, and prohibited vases, notably Chinese flasks.
• Increased variety in flowers reflected broader cultural influences.

Renaissance Period 1400 AD - 1600 AD

• Floristry flourished in Italy with large masses of flowers as the focus.
• Cathedrals featured long garlands of blossoms draping from ceilings and walls.
• Common flowers included roses, daisies, and violets with a preference for bright, contrasting colors.
• Arrangements typically situated in oversized, heavy containers.

Baroque and Flemish Periods 1600 AD - 1775 AD

• Paintings influenced floral designs, transitioning into the ornate Baroque style.
• Arrangements were tall, massive, and utilized a bold color palette with symmetrical shapes.
• Accessories such as fans, birds, and butterflies complemented the designs.
• New techniques introduced curved arrangements in graceful C and S shapes.

Georgian Period ca. 1714 AD - 1837 AD (English)

• Emerged from feudalism, moving from fortresses to smaller ruling homes.
• Fresh flowers prioritized for fragrance over aesthetics; arrangements primarily functional.
• Flower containers often designed with practical holes for stems, innovating design approaches.