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How did ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans use garlands?
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Floral decoration
An eternal bouquet for the dead, limestone relief from Egypt, 4th century bce; in the Brooklyn Museum, New York.
In the context of floral decoration, ancient civilizations utilized garlands for both ceremonial and decorative purposes:
- Ancient Egyptians: Garlands were woven as part of their floral traditions. They held significant funerary importance, as they were placed on mummies as a symbol of celebration for the deceased entering the afterlife.12
- Ancient Greeks: The use of garlands was widespread, appearing frequently in literature, temple friezes, and vase paintings. They were used to decorate homes, civic buildings, and temples, and were often placed crosswise on banquet tables.12
- Ancient Romans: Garlands remained highly popular, with a particular affinity for wearing garlands made of rose petals. Additionally, they utilized carved wooden festoons to decorate their homes.12
These practices established the garland as a recurrent motif in classical art, influencing later traditions in wreath making and architectural ornamentation.12