Since ancient times, flowers have been revered in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and not only…

The wreath of Dionysus is traditionally woven from ivy and grapes.

The round shape of the wreath and the living component symbolize eternity, constancy, endless Life, convection with divine nature. Perhaps that is why the wreath in many cultures has become a symbol of royal power (the crown came from it).

In the Slavic lands, the wreath also acquired the meaning of love.

In Greece and Rome, a wreath is used to judge the social and official position, dignity and occupation of the one who wore it, statues of the gods are decorated. In ancient Greece, wreaths are awarded to the winners of music and sports competitions.

The winners of the Pythian games were awarded with a wreath of laurel leaves, the Olympic – of olive branches; Isthmian – from pine branches; Nemean – from parsley. Myrtle was worn on the head by the highest Athenian ranks, and in Rome it was presented to the heroes who won the war without bloodshed. In the 5th century BC. the wreath became the accepted symbol of victory. In the Roman Empire, oak wreaths dedicated to Jupiter were given in the same way as awards for saving a life to a citizen of Rome.

Aphrodite was crowned with a myrtle wreath in a dispute about beauty and thanks to this she received an apple from Paris. With this decoration in their hands, petitioners who wanted to arouse sympathy appeared.

Poets and matchmakers wore these wreaths.

But most of all, the laurel wreath was widespread in the Greco-Roman world. At first, they were decorated with a recognized actor or an outstanding poet. “Laureatus” “he who is crowned with laurel”.

Caesar wore a laurel wreath as a symbol of his invincibility. On solemn occasions, all the people were crowned with laurel wreaths.

The second most important was a wreath of roses. The personification of nobility, transience and brightness of life. It was worn by subsequent emperors and patricians.

In the Middle Ages, the knight was happy if the lady of the heart gave him a wreath of daisies. The classic wedding wreath was made in Europe from orange blossoms – “Orange Blossom”. Later, it was transformed into a traditional bridal bouquet.

Among the Arabs, a wreath of orange flowers is a symbol of fertility, so brides wear it at a wedding. For the Chinese, the olive wreath represents literary merit.

The wreath was and is one of the most beautiful creations of man and nature. The wedding marks a merger with nature. Enlisting the support and care of Mother Earth

There is not a single Ukrainian house, near which the caring hands of the hostess would not arrange bright flower islands. They have mercy on the eye, gently excite the soul, firmly bind our hearts to the parental home. Flowers are constant companions of our life. They are in the flowerbeds, in the room, on the lawns. They are on embroidered towels, tablecloths. They paint stoves, walls of dwellings. And there are flowers on our national clothes. Flowers on the plate and corset symbolize kindness, sincerity of the soul. Flowers on the sleeves of the shirt protect against illness, the evil eye.

The wreath is a talisman

This is not just beauty, but the “sorcerer of the soul.” Because it has a magical power that relieves pain, saves strength.

Weaving a wreath is a kind of science. You need to know what colors and when to weave. In total, there are twelve flowers in the Ukrainian wreath, and each of them is a charm.

The following are woven into the wreath: mallow, viburnum, immortelle, yarrow, forget-me-not, marigolds, periwinkle, lovage, cornflower, chamomile, red poppy, hops.

Among them, the most honorable place belonged to the yarrow. These small white flowers from afar resemble a large flower. it is popularly called a tree. When the flowers fade, the wind disperses the seeds. But wherever this plant sprouted, it always blooms. Therefore, people weave it into the wreath, as a symbol of insubordination.

Immortelle in a wreath is a symbol of health, it cures many diseases, although it looks very modest. But every flower, no matter how fragile it is, is needed by people.

The guy is often compared to hops. Flowers of soft blue color, like the eyes of a girl, are woven into a wreath as a symbol of beauty, health, strength. These are cornflowers. Cornflower and lovage coexist in a full wreath.

Since ancient times, the blue-eyed periwinkle has been respected in Ukraine. There is no such village or city in Ukraine where this plant would not be. Periwinkle Territory – this is how our Motherland is called. Always fresh and green, even under the snow, it has become a symbol of eternal life, strong love, happy marriage. Therefore, this flower often reigns in wedding ceremonies.

Periwinkle is also a symbol of beauty. It has long been believed that the plant gives the girl beauty. Girls in Ukraine used to wash their faces with a decoction of periwinkles.

There are a number of legends about the wreath.

Here is one of them:

A girl was walking along the viburnum. A boyfriend met her and said: “Take off the wreath – you will be mine.” Mommy didn’t tell me to take off the whisk, but the guy was good, he spoke beautifully, and his affectionate look warmed his heart. The girl took off the whisk, and the guy turned into a terrible devil and took her to him.

Therefore, they do not just say that the wreath protects from evil spirits.

There are many customs associated with the whisk. When the reapers brought the last sheaf from the field to the village, it was carried by a beautiful girl. This sheaf was decorated with a whisk, as a symbol of the next harvest. At the wedding, they usually put on a young halo on the head of a periwinkle, made at a bachelorette party.

After the wedding, the mother-in-law removes the veil from the young woman along with the rim, which the young woman keeps all her life. It is believed that you need to keep the whisk behind the images so that the marriage is strong.

• Immortelle – a symbol of health
• Yarrow – insubordination
• Periwinkle – life and immortality of the human soul,
• Cherry and apple blossoms are a symbol of maternal devotion
• Kalina – a symbol of beauty and girlish beauty

The meaning of flowers in a wreath

Lovage and cornflower – devotion and fidelity