Flower Arrangements Across Cultures

Across cultures, time periods and artistic styles, flower arrangements are an important symbol of love, happiness, and respect. With the right arrangement, you can express any sentiment, from sympathy to happiness, without saying a word. But what makes the perfect floral arrangement? How can you know which flowers to choose to convey your message?

The earliest known example of floral arrangements near me is found in Egypt, where floral decorations were used during burials and processions as early as 2,500 BCE. The earliest recorded images of arranged flowers appear on Egyptian carved stone reliefs and painted wall decorations.

As the art of arranging flowers grew in popularity throughout the centuries, many different trends developed. For example, the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century saw a rise in still-life paintings featuring impressive floral displays and arrangements. These artistic pieces inspired both modern-day floral design and the use of exotic flowers.

Flower Arrangements Across Cultures and Regions

Renaissance Floral Design (14400-1600 AD): This style was influenced by Oriental and Roman styles, with a focus on balance and harmony. Renaissance artists also introduced the idea of mixing fruits and flowers in their designs. These arrangements often included lilies, roses, narcissus, tulips, chrysanthemums and jasmine. These flowers were placed in vases and baskets, and often adorned with jewels and swirling shells or cherubs.

Baroque Floral Design (1650-1700 AD): This style focuses on dramatic, large-scale arrangements, with S-curves and ornamentation. Flowers were paired with fruit, jewelry and swirling shells to create a sense of grandeur. This style also featured tulips, lilies, roses, iris and pansies. These flower arrangements were housed in urns, tall vases and low baskets.

Rococo Period Floral Design (1715-1744 AD): A more playful style, this design features s-curves, scrolls and ornamentation. This was a popular design for funerals, as well as weddings and other celebratory occasions. During this period, flowers were used for their beauty and scent, but their meanings weren’t considered as highly as today.

Flowers are a natural way to convey emotions, as well as a gifting tradition that is celebrated in almost every culture around the world. When you choose to send a flower arrangement, it is important to keep in mind the cultural significance and meaning behind each type of flower. For example, red roses are a symbol of undying love, while pink lilies represent prosperity.

While the meaning of certain flowers may vary by culture and region, you can count on your local florist to provide an exceptional arrangement that is sure to impress. To make your gift even more thoughtful, consider adding a note to your floral order with a special message or personalized message. If you’re looking to send an arrangement that is a good fit for any occasion, try our Heartfelt Condolences or Birthday Wishes flower bouquets. These elegant arrangements feature flowers such as tulips, carnations and chrysanthemums that are traditionally associated with sympathy and celebration respectively.