Ladies' Guild Meeting - November 2008
On
5th November, thoughts of Guy Fawkes were far away as we were
treated to an excellent presentation by Christine Edwards; an expert
flower arranger from St Margaret’s Methodist Church at Biscot.
Christine
assembled two table decorations, one circular, the other rectangular,
along with an Advent ring. She used oasis as a base and put a wide variety
of real and artificial foliage in place.
She was often unable to see her hands as she held the pieces in
place for us to watch.
As Christmas decorations, each had a candle in the centre.
The circular one started with a ring of foliage and then grew with
red and white flowers, Roses, Carnations and Christmas Roses.
The rectangular arrangement started with greenery spearing out from
the central block along with a beautiful display of trailing flowers.
The foliage included Holly, Ivy and Pittosporum.
The contrasts of colours, textures and the spaces left between were
really pleased to the eye.
Christine
showed us how to gain a higher middle to an arrangement by using oasis
blocks, wire, ribbon and tape.
She also displayed a gold sprayed decoration made from wood and
doweling which, decorated with a Christmas theme, would make an original
alternative to a tree.
The
Advent Ring, compiled as we watched, will be used at St Margaret’s in
Biscot.
It had a traditional white candle with four red ones and was
surrounded with the green, red and white decorations that will last for
the season.
Flower
arranging, floral decoration and the admiration of beautiful foliage and
blossoms seem to be part of each person’s soul.
There are records of many hundreds of years of flower arranging.
The ancient Greeks arranged flowers in vases.
They also used them for table decorations and in their processions
and burial services.
Flowers were chosen for their religious and symbolic meanings.
The Papyrus Plant and the Palm Tree featured widely and the Lotus
Flower, which was sacred to the Goddess Isis, was often used.
Greeks and Romans also used Oak Leaves, Acorns, Laurel, Bay,
Parsley and Ivy.
They also made garlands and wreaths from plants including,
Honeysuckle, Roses, Violets, Hyacinths and Lilies.
Petals were strewn while some flowers were kept whole for their
shape and colour.
In
China, the Han Dynasty used flowers as part of its religious teaching.
The Chinese also classified herbs for medicinal uses and made
flower arrangements.
Buddhist, Taoist and Confusion worshippers placed cut flowers on
their altars.
Flowers and foliage had symbolic meanings for Buddhists.
Most important was the Peony, which symbolised status, wealth and
good fortune.
The
cone shape dominated the floral designs of the Byzantine Empire using
flowers, foliage, fruit and ribbons. We
Europeans took a long time to get to this stage of adornment with flowers.
Fortunately, the Dark Ages came to an end and so a little more joy
was allowed into our lives.
Churches and monasteries used flowers and plants for decoration.
Crusaders returning home brought plants and various shapes were
used for arrangements.
Urns and vases were made in a variety of materials such as marble,
metal and glass.
Christine
showed a great deal of skill throughout all her demonstrations.
We watched her deft fingers happily and heard stories of the
arrangements that she has made for her church.
We thanked her for her time and hope that we too will be inspired.