FLOWER ARRANGEMENT (Japanese, Western/ Traditional, Free style arrangements)

FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS

(Japanese, western, traditional & free style)

Definition- It is a decorative art of organizing flowers, fillers and foliage, to achieve harmony of form, color, and texture, thereby adding cheer, life, and beauty to the surroundings

Flower arrangements in hotels-In hotels flowers are used significantly. Different types of flowers and arrangements are preferred as per the area and occasion.

Basic principle of flower arrangements

a)      Proportion and Scale: Proportion relates to the height of plant material, size of container, its shape, size of room, wall or table. Scale concerns relative size and proportion concerns relative amounts of the flowers, foliage, fillers and other accessories with respect to the surroundings

b)      Harmony and Unity: In a pleasing flower arrangement, the plant material, container, base, accessory and setting should have harmony and unity altogether.

c)      Balance: Physical as well as visual balance is very much important for an arrangement.

d)      Rhythm: It is the related movement in respect to line, form, pattern or color. The eye should move smoothly and freely without any distraction

e)      Emphasis: This involves having one or more areas in the arrangement to which the eye is drawn and on which it rests for a short time. This point is known as a ‘focal point’ or ‘center of interest’. The usual methods to achieve emphasis is either to include a dominating flower, small group of dominating flowers or use striking foliage.

STYLES OF FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS

• Line (Japanese/ oriental) arrangements
• Mass (European) arrangements
• Line-mass (Western/ traditional) arrangements

 LINE ARRANGEMENTS

In this arrangement, most of the display is done in a line with limited use of plant material. Best example for line arrangements is Ikebana.

 

Literal meaning of word ikebana is ‘making flowers live’ in Japanese. They are symbolic representations of an ideal harmony that exists between earthly and eternal life. In this arrangement Heaven, Man and Earth are represented by means of three main branches:

1. Shin-It is the tallest line represents ‘heaven’ it ends to the central axis of the vase. This stem should be 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 times the height of the container.

2. Soe- the second highest stem, represents man- facing and looking towards heaven. It provides width to the arrangement and is about three-fourth the height of the tallest spray. This stem forms an angle of about 45 degree with the rim of the container.

3. Hikae- the lowest stem, denotes earth. This branch is about half as tall as the one signifying man and extends very little beyond the diameter of the container, forming an angle of about 75 degrees with the rim of the container. It is placed opposite the branch signifying man and is used to balance the arrangement.

Point to remember: In ikebana, always use an odd number of flowers, as per Japanese mythology, odd numbers are lucky as well as more aesthetic. Thus, in all arrangements, three, five, or seven flower sprays are used.

OHARA is the most popular school for ikebana. According to further categorization for Ikebana, explained by this school-

1. Rikka – the first Ikebana style – which aimed not so much at revealing the beauty of flowers as at using flowers to embody an elevated concept of the cosmos.

2. A classical arrangement in a tall cylindrical vase with a flowing and natural effect is called Nagerie (meaning thrown in).

3. A formal arrangement, basically a triangular one is called the Seika style which has strict rules governing the lengths and angles of the stems.

4. When a tall vase without a pin-holder is used, the arrangement is said to be in the hikae style. It highlights vertical lines, emphasizing on bringing out the flowers' natural charms and arranging them in a tasteful and elegant manner. In this, the length of the primary stem is one and a half times the height of the vase, and the secondary and ornamental stems are around half the length of the primary branch.

5. When a flat or low container is used, it is called a moribana style. It is an informal arrangement in a shallow container in which a pin-holder is used as mechanics.   

6. A floating arrangement is called Ukibana. 

7. A special arrangement using fruits and vegetables called as Morimano (literal meaning pile up), also known as basket arrangement. 

MASS ARRANGEMENTS

A mass arrangement may be defined as one that emphasizes a large mass of flowers as a whole unit, rather than individual branches or flowers. Most period arrangements are mass arrangements, so this style is also known as European arrangements.

  

LINE- MASS ARRANGEMENTS

A line-mass arrangement also known as a massed line arrangement. It has higher part consisting of lines and another separate, but well-integrated, lower part that forms a mass. If the mass is more important than the line, it might well be called as mass-line instead of a line-mass arrangement.

 Line-mass arrangements combine the best qualities of the oriental line arrangements with those of the occidental mass arrangements. It may be defined as a arrangement in which both the line and the mass are important

Triangular arrangement (Symmetrical & asymmetrical arrangement):

 

  

Circular arrangement:

    Fan-shaped flower arrangement:

 Hogarth flower arrangement:

 

      Crescent arrangement:

 

 

YOU TUBE VIDEOS for different style of flower arrangement

 1. Japanese flower arrangement (Ikebana)

2. Western/ traditional flower arrangement

i) MASS ARRANGEMENTS

ii) LINE ARRANGEMENTS

iii) COLOR ARRANGEMENTS

3. FREE STYLE FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS

 MODERN FLOWER ARRANGEMENT IDEAS