Page 24 - joa oct 22

Flowers
Flowers
Flowers

The Oldest Form of TributeThe Oldest Form of Tribute

by Judy Gonyeau, managing editor

he arrangement and placement of flowers the wreath symbolized the circle of
around the dead are considered the oldest eternal life. In Egypt, the dead wore
Tact of mourning. During the 1951 a "crown of justification" made of
excavation of the Shandiar Cave in Northern laurel, palm, and feathers. In the
Iraq, Dr. Ralph Solecki discovered several burial early Medieval times in Europe,
sites. Solecki submitted soil samples from the graves for pollen analysis evergreen wreaths were laid at the
to a paleobotanist who found pollen and flower fragments from at least burial place of early Christian virgin
eight species of wildflowers. The burials had occurred around 62,000 martyrs, sometimes as part of a
B.C. and neither birds nor animals could have been responsible for the pilgrimage to honor their sacrifice.
placement of the flowers. It was concluded that someone 62,000 years In 1500s England, a procession of
ago had roamed the mountainside in the mournful task of collecting young maidens would be led by a
flowers for the funeral tribute. single girl carrying a wreath of white
flowers to symbolize the purified
soul of the deceased.
Flowers as the Symbol of Life
The lifespan of flowers has long been equated to the lifespan of Wreaths have been used for war
mankind—from seedling to full bloom to old age and death—people memorials and at veterans’ remem-
could follow the cycle of life within just a few weeks or months. Some brance services for centuries. The A staged Victorian image of
note that the presence of fragrant and colorful flowers was a necessity image of a memorial wreath can be a young woman mourning the loss of
to keep certain scents at bay as the dead are honored – sometimes over seen carved into tombstones and her husband with the placement
the course of weeks. markers as a sign of service and of a white wreath.
In a famous example, the 1874 funeral of President Andrew remembrance. Burials at sea or
Johnson demonstrates the need for fragrance. His body was not commemorations of naval losses at sea have most often been conducted
embalmed, and by the day of his funeral, by placing floating wreaths on the water,
his body was in such foul condition that and in some cultures, the wreaths would
undertaker Lazarus C. Shepard closed the include lit candles.
casket and heaped loads of fragrant flowers
on top and around the burial receptacle. Other Floral Displays
The fragrance of the flowers hid the odor According to the Smithsonian Gardens
long enough for the funeral to take place. Horticultural Artifacts Collection, crafted
For many, the beauty of flowers and containers for flowers and plants have
colorful arrangements helped to soften evolved according to the needs, fashions,
the perceived ugliness of death, allowing the and technology of the time. When it came
viewer to avoid a shock when viewing the to arrangements for funerals, vessels
body. The viewing was meant to show became not only simple holders of flowers,
the deceased as closer to the heavens, but were designed with inserts for holding
comforted by beauty and light. water. Flowers could be easily pulled and
thrown on the casket during buriel.
“Furnishings and accessories made of
The Wreath
Often, wreaths were placed on doors as wicker were extremely popular from the
a signal that a death had occurred within 1850s to the early 1900s. Wicker is
the household. Often, it was the first task comprised of woven rattan, willow,
carried out by the bereaved to notify bamboo, or other imported or local grasses
friends and neighbors of the event. over a hard wood or iron frame. Florists
As first documented in ancient Greece, kept a supply of wicker objects on hand to
lend, rent, or sell to their customers to
Dog in Mourning by Henry Bacon create elaborate settings in the homes or
(Amer. 1839-1912 in 1870 shows cemeteries for funerals. Flowers and
a faithful dog at his master’s or mistress’s door foliage were often intertwined to create a
where a memorial wreath with pink roses hangs more elaborate display.”

22 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles