The Best Flower Crowns of All Time
Few devices have actually aroused such commentary, for and versus, than the flower crown, so stylish of late among the neo-hippie celebration crowd. Despite critics, these decorative headpieces, whose history in mythology and art can be traced back to ancient civilizations, reveal no signs of fading from favor.
It's an appearance that has roots. In agrarian societies, tied to the land and the seasons, flower crowns had great symbolic significance. Worn for useful and ceremonial reasons, they might illustrate status and achievement (see Olympic olive wreaths). The language of flowersand herbs was well-known, with each bring its own meaning. ("There's rosemary, that's for remembering. Please keep in mind, love. And there are pansies, they're for thoughts," states Ophelia in Hamlet.) Loaded with significance, flower headdresses were woven into the social and sartorial customs of destinations as distant as Russia and Hawaii.
With increasing industrialization, the flower crown became a romantic indication of the simple "nation" life (longed useful reference for, in an elegant version, by Marie Antoinette) and significantly appreciated for its ornamental value. While bride-to-bes continued the more info ceremonial customs of flower-wearing, it was the earth-mother hippies who have most affected the accessory's existing incarnation. Discovering themselves partying rather than raking, these flower children would truss their slept-in hair with wildflowers to symbolize their connection to nature.
In still more recent years, the blossoms have even taken a subversive turn on the runways, with Rodarte designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy adorning designs with burnished coronets and cast-metal petals-- and unleashing a fresh wave of flower mania among the fashion flock while doing so. In honor of the summer solstice, a motivating look back at flower crowns throughout history.
In agrarian societies, connected to the land and the seasons, flower crowns had great symbolic significance. With increasing industrialization, the flower crown became a romantic indication of the simple "country" life (longed for, in an elegant version, by Marie Antoinette) and significantly appreciated for its ornamental value. Discovering themselves partying rather than plowing, these flower kids would truss their slept-in hair with wildflowers to signify their connection to nature.