Flowers and Their Roots
History of Flowers
In this article, we will be learning about the origins of flowers and their presence in human history. We'll examine the records of human interaction with these wonderful blooms. These reach all the way back from the Paleolithic era to modern times.
The next section of this article probes into flowers as art subjects in ancient history. We also discuss the impact they had as muses for artists of all kinds.
Last, we'll look into a list of the most popular flowers and learn the stories behind their names!
Interested in a formal course? Want to get certified as an expert on all things floral? We encourage you to look into organizations that offer programs in floristry, such as:
Flowers through Human History.
How far back are flowers recorded in human history? Have they always been diverse? How diverse? How did humans identify and make use of them in early history?
These are only a few of the things people wonder about flowers. Here is a list of answers to some of the most important queries about flowers as recorded in history!
Have flowers always existed? Since when?
Yes, they have. Archaeologists have dug deep to find out when flowers first appeared. Using cutting-edge technology over time, they found flower fossils. With these, they established that flowers have been around since the prehistoric period. Their earliest estimate is around the Paleolithic age, about 93 million years ago.
Were flowers always as diverse as they are now? Or did that develop over time with human intervention?
Today, there are about 270,000 species of flowers! This number continues to grow with time and scientific innovations.
As for the evolution of their varieties, records only go back to about 150 years. History shows only 125,000 species already existed.
Are there flowers that have been here throughout ancient history?
Plants like magnolias and herbs go back to 120 million years old. This time allowed them to develop into their forms today.
Experts maintain that flowering plants have been around for about 146 million years.
How did humans identify them? Did they use them in their daily lives and regimen?
There is no certain record of how humans discovered flowers and plants. But there's data on the role of flowers in the daily life of humans in early history!
For example, placing flowers on graves has been a custom long before modern times.
Various forms of art have also used flowers both as main subjects and backdrop details. From music, literature, and sculpture, people have used flowers to express themselves. Now we see how blooms have always brightened lives and made occasions more wonderful.
We'll explore more on flowers in art below, so keep reading!
Flowers as Art Subjects in Ancient History.
From Ancient Egypt to current pop art, flowers have influenced masterpieces throughout history. Popular works with flowers range from clay pots to still-life paintings. Its depiction has been vital in cultivating several art forms and mediums.
In fact, flowers as artists' muse in history is a course in arts studies programs. This only attests to how important blossoms are in art!
Here, we'll go over the impression that flowers have on various periods in art history. We'll figure out what makes them so appealing to artists and audiences alike.
The lotus flower is one of the most celebrated subjects in Ancient Egyptian art. This is because of its symbolic significance in their religious myths. It was often portrayed in paintings, amulets, ceramics, and other art works. Evidence also indicates the use of florals as jewelry for the royal court.
In medieval times, tapestries became prominent as art works. This gave way to using flowers as backdrops for different types of scenery.
It later birthed the form of millefleur, or a "thousand flowers". These tapestries had repeating patterns of fantastic buds stitched on it.
Artists from the Renaissance also used flowers in their myth-inspired paintings. Other artists took flowers as a focal point in their work. They developed still-life paintings of fresh blooms and fancy bouquets.
The Impressionist and Fauvism movements also included the use of flowers in art. Flowers often served as the subject of an indoor scene with a person or two beside it. Fauvism stressed this using vibrant colors. Other times, flowers were either the center of the artwork or the backdrop of the scene.
Today, flowers remain as a well-loved muse among artists through pop art and modern 3D art.
Pop art imagines plain ordinary objects in a different light and color. 3D artists often use flowers to build a sculpture of another figure. They also pay tribute to art from the Renaissance and Ancient Egypt.
Flower Names and their Origins.
Have you ever thought about where roses and calla lilies got their names from? Look no further! Here is a quick list of popular flowers and the history behind their names.
Carnation.
Thought to come from the Greek word carnis (" flesh"), describing its original color. Also believed to come from corone (" flower garlands"). This is because they were first used in ceremonial crowns.
Dandelion.
First called "lion's tooth" because of the petals' likeness to a lion's sharp teeth. The French translation "dent-de-lion" later changed into the English dandelion.
Daffodil.
In Greek mythology, flowers called "asphedelos" carpeted Elysian fields. Adapting the first d in the name in the future, it translated to the modern daffodil.
Daisy.
Born from Old English poetics, daisies are an evolved variant of the phrase "day's eye".
Holly.
Called the "Holly Tree". Later known as "holly." Medieval monks believed it would defend them from evil and lightning.
Lily.
From Latin word lilium, from "lily of the valley". This is because it was often located in valleys.
Orchid.
From Greek word orchis, "testicle". Greeks believed if pregnant women ate these, their unborn child would turn into a boy.
Rose.
From the Spanish and Italian rosa. Used to name red flowers.
Click here for our next article about History of Floristry and Flower Arrangements.