Flowers through time

exploring their cultural and historical significance from Antiquity to the presents

Abstract

Throughout history, from ancient civilizations to the contemporary world, flowers have always been present, in various contexts, such as cultural, symbolic or even economic. Thus, through the consultation of books, scientific publications and collections of art museums, this text addresses the symbologies of flowers in different civilizations and times, highlighting their social, cultural, religious and artistic importance. In Antiquity, the utilization of flowers was already multifaceted, including the offering to the gods, such as the lotus in Egypt, as evidenced in murals painted by this civilization. The Greeks and Romans used them to crown heroes of the arts and sports, while in Asia, especially for the Chinese and Japanese, species such as the chrysanthemum and the rose became important symbols. Among the Aztecs, unique flower gardens played a central role in religious rituals. During the European Middle Ages, flowers were fundamental in religious and medicinal functions, and in the Renaissance, they became a recurring inspiration for artistic expressions. In the nineteenth century, the Victorian Era highlighted floriography, in which bouquets expressed feelings determined by floral codes. In Brazil, indigenous and African peoples also attributed symbolism to flowers, being linked to nature and spirituality. With the Portuguese colonization, they reinterpreted these meanings and inserted them into the Christian narrative. In the Imperial period, flowers represented social distinction, but it was only from the 1950s, with the influence of Japanese and Dutch immigrants, that Brazilian floriculture began a process of expansion, becoming an important commercial activity. Currently, flowers, although no longer bearing the strong symbolism of previous eras, still express sensitivity and convey affection through their inherent beauty and aesthetic appeal, intertwining tradition and contemporaneity across different cultures.