The Start of the Flower Crown
From symbol of victory to Snapchat filter, wreaths of leaves and flowers have had symbolic significance in Western culture for over 2,000 years
The flower crown is today a trendy device associated with Coachella revelers and boho bride-to-bes, but it's not new: wearing leaves and flowers as a headpiece has a rich history dating back to the ancient classical world.
Given that antiquity, the circular or horseshoe shape of the wreath has actually been a sign of eternity, glory, and power. In ancient Greece and Rome lots of crowns were made from wool and foliage such as myrtle and ivy leaves, and were embellished with various flowers, which held different associations through time.
Ancient gods and goddesses were frequently represented in art and literature wearing specific plants committed to them. In Ovid's Metamorphoses, the lovely nymph Daphne handles to escape her pursuer, the god Apollo, by turning herself into a laurel tree. Apollo cuts off a branch from the tree and exclaims, "Although you can not be my partner, you shall at least be my tree; I will constantly wear you on my hair, on my quiver, O Laurel." (557-- 559). He keeps his word, and as a result is typically illustrated wearing a laurel wreath as a symbol of his love for Daphne. Apollo is the god of writers and poets, and the term poet laureate that we use today comes from this misconception.
White poplar leaves were associated with Hercules, who, inning accordance with custom, imported the tree to Olympia from northwest Greece.
The ancient Greeks first introduced the crown as an honorary benefit for victors in athletic, military, poetic, and musical contests. For example, the Pythian Games were held at Delphi every four years in honor of Apollo, and winners generally received a wreath of bay laurel. The bay laurel tree is belonging to the Mediterranean area, and it stood as an important sign of triumph, achievement, and status.
Olive wreaths were likewise awarded to winners of athletic competitions, like the naked young guy shown listed below. Wild olive trees grew at Olympia where the Olympic games were held, and olive wreaths were offered as rewards to victors at these games. He may have been a weight, runner, or wrestler lifter, who is crowning himself or eliminating the wreath to dedicate it to the gods as an indication of piety.
The symbolism of the laurel wreath endures to this day. It included prominently on the medal style for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The ancient Romans continued the tradition of the crown as a reward for victory. They dressed their leaders and military personnel in crowns made from myrtle, laurel, or oak. The turf crown or corona obsidionalis was the greatest military honor, awarded by a besieged army to the general who freed them. It was made of grass, weeds, and wildflowers collected on the spot where read more the army had actually been attacked.
Flower crowns were also used for celebrations and celebrations, similar to they are today; they were popular at events such as sacrifices to Gods and banquets. In depictions of Greek males at symposia (noble drinking parties) we frequently see figures wearing wreaths. They thought that connecting a fillet tight around their heads could reduce their drunkenness-- though today's festivals goers may disagree. These were originally made from wool but later on embellished with flowers and petals from roses, violets, myrtle, and parsley.
In Rome, the Floralia celebration was held in honor of Flora, goddess of flowers, plant life, and spring-- so it's no surprise that a headpiece made from flower petals and interwoven vines was the must-have device. In this representation of a statue of Plants, she is portrayed holding her flower crown.
In Alma-Tadema's painting Spring, the artist represents this event and the tradition of sending kids out to pick flowers on the first day of May. A procession of children and ladies use colorful floral crowns and bring baskets of flowers.
The flower crown was popular in the ancient world, as Christianity spread it fell out of favor due to its association with pagan celebrations. It made a return in Renaissance art, as scholars and artists looked once again to the classical past for inspiration.
In contemporary times we typically see flower crowns used as a pointer of the ancient Mediterranean world. As simply one example, German professional photographer Baron Wilhelm von Gloeden used the flower crowns in portraits he produced of in Sicily, as a sign of his topics' ancient heritage.
Even the bridal crown, it turns out, has ancient roots. The Roman bride-to-be would use a crown made from verbena that she herself had chosen. In contemporary 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 also throughout the Victorian period get more info that interest in "floriography" rose, with women frequently illustrated using flowers to communicate a personal characteristic. The orange bloom, for instance, is a symbol of chastity.
Today the trend of wearable fronds and flowers continues in a variety of ways-- as a sign of triumph, event, love, romance, or femininity, whether you're using a wreath to a celebration or wearing a digital version on Snapchat.
Flower crowns were also worn for festivities and events, much like they are today; they were popular at events 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 event and the custom of sending out kids out to select flowers on the very first day of May. A procession of women and children wear colorful floral crowns and carry baskets of flowers. It was likewise throughout the Victorian period that interest in "floriography" increased, with females typically depicted wearing flowers to communicate a personal attribute.