The art of flower arrangement

Sunday, February 26, 2012

FLOWERS are one of God’s creations that embellish our surroundings. They bring color and vibrancy to our homes, gardens, and altars. Flowers can be arranged in different ways to create style and design.

In early times, the Chinese and Japanese were fond of flowers. It was the Chinese who started making flower arrangements and they were the first ones to put water in containers of cut flowers.

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Japan, famous for its cherry blossoms and flower gardens, continued the idea of combining cut flowers, water and containers from China that led to the establishments of schools of flower arrangements art, developed by masters following certain philosophies and design principles.

Today, flower arrangement is taught to students to stimulate meditation and enhance ceremonies. Arranging the flowers not only adds to their beauty but it is also meant to maintain its freshness for a longer time.

Panagbenga is a celebration of flowers in bloom. A part of its activity is the fresh and dried flower arrangement category and fresh vegetable arrangement contest open to all flower enthusiast held in Baguio City National High School. Contest categories were open to teachers, parents and students. Participants arrived with their materials of fresh and dried flowers and fresh vegetables. Its aim was to develop the participants’ skills in flower arrangement. Most of the participants took time in arranging, positioning and spacing flowers to create a grand arrangement.

According to.wisegeek.com, “flower arrangement is the combination of several elements to produce a visually pleasing display of fresh, silk or dried flowers.” Flowers are arranged in several basic designs, including vertical, horizontal, triangular, crescent, and oval arrangements. Other options include a minimal arrangement, such as the lazy “S” or “Hogarth’s Curve,” and free-standing arrangements.

Hogarth’s curve is named for English painter William Hogarth who introduced designs shaped like the curves of the letter “s” into floral design.

The elements of flower arrangement include line materials, which are the first pieces placed in a design to establish the overall width and height.

Next, the dominant materials are inserted. These are form flowers, such as lilies, irises or peonies.

Next, place smaller mass flowers, or secondary materials, in between the dominant selections. Filler flowers are an optional next step. Special materials, such as moss or vines, add texture to an arrangement. The accent of a flower arrangement might be a focal point including a statue or figurine or might be the impact of a single color. Open flowers also add accent to a flower arrangement.

Many tools make flower arrangement easier. Dried foam holds silk or artificial flowers in place. A “frog” is a metal device often used when dried foam will not work, for example in a clear glass vase. It holds flowers in place between its steel pins. Glass marbles and river rock hold stems in clear receptacles as well.

There are three styles of arrangements in the world of floral arrangements. They are:

1) Oriental Flower Arrangements: The emphasis is on the Lines in the floral arrangement.

2) Traditional/Western Flower Arrangements: The emphasis is on the Use of many flowers as a mass in the floral arrangement.

3) Modern Flower Arrangements: There are no rules at all. These floral arrangements are based on the taste of the floral designer. But, it is more close to Oriental than Traditional style of arranging flowers in its inclination towards importance to lines.”

(Source:www.wisegeek.com/what-is-flower-arrangement.htm)