A flower bouquet is a collection of flowers in a creative arrangement. There are different kinds including nosegay, crescent, and cascading bouquets. Flower bouquets are often given for special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries. They are also used extensively in weddings. Traditionally the bride will hold the bouquet, and the Maid of Honor will hold it during the ceremony. After the wedding the bride will toss it over her shoulder, and it is believed that whoever catches the bouquet is the next in line to be married. This practice may be related to the Golden Apple of Discord myth.
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History
Even before flower bouquets were used by brides in wedding they were used in a different form of art. They appeared as early as the 17th century and possibly earlier. Flower bouquets were captured in paintings and on pottery as decorations.
"The art of arranging flowers was first documented in the 17th century, when the Dutch, in particular, painted wonderful informal arrangements of flowers..."[1]
"In the 18th century, arrangements were used to decorate the houses of the wealthy families and the aristocracy..."[1]
A wedding bouquet of flowers or roses is an idea that was brought up years ago and then became a tradition. When an upper class bride walked down the aisle, she was required to hold a bouquet of roses or flowers to prevent body odor from spreading and driving away evil spirits.
Types of Bouquets
The most widely used bouquets are the nosegay; the round bouquet, the crescent, and the cascading bouquet. Each has their own unique shape and form and is used with certain flowers. Each bouquet is also different due to the fact that every person may choose different flowers and colors, personalizing their own bouquet. The bouquets can be mixed with a variety of flowers, herbs, greenery, or just simply put together with one type of flower.
Nosegay
The nosegay is usually a round shape bouquet widely used by brides and her bridesmaids. "A nosegay follows the usual shape of a round bouquet with densely filled flowers. It can be a small, medium or a large size bouquet. At present, the most widely used flowers for nosegay bouquets are roses, carnations, iris, stephanotis, and daisies."[2] If the nosegay is used for a wedding, the most common flower colors used are either white or red. A red rose nosegay symbolizing love, and white symbolizing purity.
Cascade
This bouquet is much more romantic than the others, in the shape of a tear drop or resembling a waterfall. "The width across the top not much more than the width below. Giving the bouquet a more natural flowing look.."[3] To have this sort of shape it is best to use stems with flowers hanging downwards naturally. The flowers used are: roses, lilies, and orchids.
Crescent
This particular bouquet is one of the more dramatic bouquets. “As the name suggests, the left and right side of the bouquet is seen to be flowing down.”[4] A crescent bouquet can either be symmetrical or asymmetrical. A symmetrical crescent bouquet has flowers on the left and right side arched at the same lengths. The asymmetrical has one side longer.[5]
Meaning of Flowers
Each of these bouquets use the same basic flowers; Rose, Lilies, and Orchids. Each bouquet also has greenery
Rose is the symbol of love and passion.
Lilies signify virtue and devotion depending on the type of lily.
Orchids mean beauty, strength, and love. [6]
With these flowers come an array of colors from white to pink to blue. Every color having their own meaning as well.
Meaning of Color
Red flowers mean love and passion.
White symbolizes innocence.
Pink is a sign of youth and joy.
Yellow indicates new beginnings.
Green shows optimism and good fortune.
Orange shows the sign of confidence and warmth.
Purple means dignity and success.
Blue flowers signifies faithfullness and peace.
Footnotes
Reference
Hillier, Malcolm (1990). Flower Arranging, The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.
Sandhyarani, Ningthoujam (2008). Nosegay Bouquets, Buzzle.com.(http://www.buzzle.com/articles/nosegay-bouquets.html.)
McCollough, Blossom. Blossom's Wedding Flowers.(http://www.blossomsweddingflowers.com/Bouquets.htm )
Flower Arrangement Advisor. (2009) “Bridal Bouquet Types For You To Choose From". (http://www.flower-arrangement-advisor.com/bridal-bouquet-types.html)
Flower Meanings (2009). Flower Meanings.org. (http://www.flowermeaning.org/greenflower.html)
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