The Ancient Origins of Flower Crowns
From symbol of success to Snapchat filter, wreaths of leaves and flowers have had symbolic meaning in Western culture for over 2,000 years
The flower crown is today a fashionable accessory synonymous with Coachella revelers and boho bride-to-bes, however it's not brand-new: using leaves and flowers as a headpiece has a rich history dating back to the ancient classical world.
Since antiquity, the circular or horseshoe shape of the wreath has been a sign of eternity, power, and splendor. In ancient Greece and Rome numerous crowns were made of wool and foliage such as myrtle and ivy leaves, and were adorned with different flowers, which held numerous associations through time.
Ancient gods and goddesses were frequently represented in art and literature wearing particular plants devoted to them. In Ovid's Metamorphoses, the gorgeous nymph Daphne manages to leave her pursuer, the god Apollo, by turning herself into a laurel tree. He keeps his word, and as a result is often illustrated wearing a laurel wreath as a symbol of his love for Daphne.
White poplar leaves were related to Hercules, who, inning accordance with tradition, imported the tree to Olympia from northwest Greece.
The ancient Greeks first presented the crown as an honorary reward for victors in athletic, military, poetic, and musical contests. For example, the Pythian Games were held at Delphi every 4 years in honor of Apollo, and winners traditionally got a wreath of bay laurel. The bay laurel tree is belonging to the Mediterranean region, and it stood as a crucial sign of status, achievement, and success.
Olive wreaths were also granted to winners of athletic competitions, like the nude young male shown listed below. Wild olive trees grew at Olympia where the Olympic games were held, and olive wreaths were given as rewards to victors at these games. He may have been a wrestler, weight, or runner lifter, who is crowning himself or removing the wreath to commit it to the gods as a sign of piety.
The importance of the laurel wreath makes it through to this day. It included prominently on the medal style for the 2016 Rio Olympics, for instance.
The ancient Romans continued the tradition of the crown as a benefit for triumph. They dressed their leaders and military personnel in crowns made of laurel, myrtle, or oak.
Flower crowns were likewise used for festivities and events, much like they are today; they were popular at events such as sacrifices to Gods and banquets. These were originally made of wool but later on decorated with flowers and petals from roses, violets, myrtle, and parsley.
In Rome, the Floralia festival was kept in honor of Flora, goddess of flowers, plants, and spring-- so it's no surprise that a headpiece made of flower petals and interwoven vines was the essential accessory. In this representation of a statue of Plants, she is illustrated holding her flower crown.
In Alma-Tadema's painting Spring, the artist represents this event and the custom of sending kids out to select flowers on the first day of May. A procession of children and ladies use vibrant floral crowns and bring baskets of flowers.
Although the flower crown was popular in the ancient world, as Christianity spread it fell out of favor due to its association with pagan get more info festivals. It made a comeback in Renaissance art, as artists and scholars looked once again to the classical past for motivation.
In modern times we often see flower crowns utilized as a suggestion of the ancient Mediterranean world. As just one example, German photographer Baron Wilhelm von Gloeden utilized the flower crowns in pictures he developed of in Sicily, as a symbol of his subjects' ancient heritage.
Even the bridal crown, it ends up, has ancient roots. The Roman bride-to-be would use a crown made of verbena that she herself had chosen. In modern-day times, Queen Victoria made the practice fashionable by using a crown of orange blossoms in her hair on her big day to prince Albert on February 10, 1840. It was likewise throughout the Victorian period that interest in "floriography" rose, with women frequently illustrated using flowers to communicate a personal characteristic. The orange bloom, for instance, is a sign of chastity.
Today the pattern of wearable leaves and flowers continues in a range of ways-- as a symbol of victory, celebration, love, love, or womanhood, whether you're using a wreath to a celebration or donning a digital version on Snapchat.
Flower crowns were also worn for festivities and events, much like they are today; they were popular at occasions such as sacrifices to Gods and feasts. These were originally made of wool but later decorated with flowers and petals from roses, violets, myrtle, and parsley.
In Alma-Tadema's painting Spring, the artist represents this celebration and the tradition of sending kids out to choose flowers on the very first day of May. A procession of kids and females wear colorful floral crowns and carry baskets of flowers. It was also during the Victorian era that interest in "floriography" rose, with ladies frequently portrayed wearing flowers to communicate an individual characteristic.