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Significance of particular flowers
Typically, a florist will organize flowers by season and holiday. Flowers have various different meanings in different cultures. The holidays and events for which flowers are used vary. Poppies are used to remember fallen soldiers only in Great Britain and the Commonwealth countries. The cultural meaning of colors also strongly affects the choice and use of flowers. People often prefer flowers that are associated with their ethnic group or country, and various colors may have special meanings of luck or death or love or other basic human traits. A flower such as a red rose might to some mean love, but to others it might be considered indecent or simply puzzling. The vastly divergent views on the color white can lead to major flower issues. White is viewed as standing for death in many Asian cultures but is considered a symbol of purity and innocence in many European and American cultures. Such differences can lead to difficult issues when a bouquet of white lilies, for example, is delivered.

The Greeks and the Romans also had a passion for flowers, though they didn’t often use vases or pots. Rather, they concentrated more on making garlands and wreaths. They also enjoyed tossing petals onto the floor and onto beds. Like the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans had their preferences when it came to the flowers and foliage they used.

The most popular foliage used by the Greeks and the Romans were acorns, oak leaves, laurel, ivy, bay and parsley. Laurel wreaths were presented to winners of athletic competitions in the ancient Olympics. These same wreaths were also awarded to individuals winning competition in poetic meets. In Rome they symbolized a military victory and crowned the successful commander in honor of his triumph.
The preferred flowers include roses, hyacinths, honeysuckle, violets, and lilies. Other flowers such as tulips, larkspur, and marigolds were also selected for their shape, color, and form
. The earliest known practice of flower arranging dates back to ancient Egypt. In fact, historical records indicate that the Egyptians were decorating with flowers as early as 2,500 BCE This fact is illustrated with the carved stone reliefs that they left behind, as well as their painted wall decorations.
. The ancient Egyptians were not the only ones engaging in flower arranging during ancient times. In fact, the Chinese were making flower arrangements as far back as 207 BCE to 220 CE, which is the Han era of ancient China.
. During the period from 500 to 1453 CE, the Byzantine Empire made its contribution to floral arrangements.
. The concept of flower arranging didn’t arrive in Europe until around 1000 CE. Before this time, European countries were embroiled in the Dark Ages and people had little room for pleasures in their own lives...etc.....thanks wikipedia

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