| Ikebana (literally "living flowers") is the Japanese | | | | western flowers and partly due to the |
| art of flower arrangement, also known as kado | | | | westernization of Japanese living. The moribana |
| —the "way of flowers". | | | | style, which created a new freedom in flower |
| In contrast to the decorative form of flower | | | | arranging, is used for a landscape or a garden |
| arranging in western countries, the Japanese | | | | scene. It is a style that can be enjoyed wherever |
| flower arrangement creates a harmony of linear | | | | it is displayed and can be adapted to both formal |
| construction, rhythm, and color. While westerners | | | | and informal situations. |
| tend to emphasize the quantity and colors of the | | | | Modern ikebana dates from 1930 and goes by the |
| flowers, devoting their attention mainly to the | | | | transliteration zen'ei ikebana or zen'eibana. This |
| beauty of the blossoms, the Japanese emphasize | | | | form of ikebana is more expressive than the |
| the linear aspects of the arrangement. They have | | | | classic style. Along with tea ceremony and |
| developed the art to include the vase, stems, | | | | calligraphy, ikebana was one of the arts in which |
| leaves, and branches, as well as the flowers. The | | | | women were traditionally schooled in preparation |
| entire structure of a Japanese flower | | | | for marriage. Today, flower arrangement is |
| arrangement is based on three main points that | | | | venerated as one of the traditional arts in Japan. |
| symbolize heaven, earth, and humankind. | | | | It is practiced on many occasions like ceremonies |
| History | | | | and parties, and modern people are still choosing |
| Ikebana began as a kind of ritual flower offering | | | | to study the art. |
| made in Buddhist temples in Japan during the sixth | | | | Here are some more flowers and plants that |
| century. In these arrangements, both the flowers | | | | attract positive chi: |
| and the branches were made to point toward | | | | Spider plant- with its long, cascading leaves, |
| heaven as an indication of faith. A more | | | | encourages calm and well-being. |
| sophisticated style of flower arrangement, called | | | | African violet- attracts recognition for your work, |
| rikka (standing flowers), appeared in the fifteenth | | | | fame and approval. |
| century. The rikka style reflects the magnificence | | | | Cyclamen- brings romance and passion to your |
| of nature and its display. For example, pine | | | | life. |
| branches symbolize rocks and stones, and white | | | | Sunflower- stability and endurance. |
| chrysanthemums symbolize a river or small | | | | Specific colours of flowers or particular types of |
| stream. The rikka style became popular in the | | | | flowers are best placed in certain locations for the |
| seventeenth century, used as a decorative | | | | optimum effect. Pink flowers, for example are |
| technique for ceremonial and festive occasions, | | | | thought to be a good choice for the bedroom, |
| though today it is regarded as an antiquated form | | | | since they encourage harmony and tenderness. |
| of flower arrangement and is rarely practiced. | | | | Red tulips encourage romance. Lilies are good for |
| The most significant changes in the history of | | | | balancing out active areas of the home. Orchids |
| ikebana took place during the fifteenth century, | | | | will encourage harmony and peace after |
| when the Muromachi shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa | | | | arguments. Green round-leafed plants are |
| (1436–1490) ruled Japan. The large | | | | especially good in areas that have a lot of |
| buildings and small houses that Yoshimasa had built | | | | electronic equipment, such as a home theatre or |
| expressed his love for simplicity. These small | | | | home office. A wreath of flowers on the door |
| houses contained tokonoma, where people could | | | | provides protection, especially if reflective ribbons |
| place objects of art and flower arrangements. It | | | | are included. |
| was during this period that the rules of ikebana | | | | If you are following the Pa Kua system, and have |
| were simplified so that people of all classes could | | | | divided your living space into areas, here are |
| enjoy the art. | | | | some specific plants that are appropriate for the |
| Another major development took place in the late | | | | regions of your home: |
| sixteenth century. A more simple style of flower | | | | Knowledge: lily |
| arrangement called nageire (meaning to throw in | | | | Marriage: rose, lotus, orchid |
| or fling in) appeared as part of the tea ceremony. | | | | Parents: bamboo |
| According to this style, flowers are arranged in a | | | | Friends: forget-me-not |
| vase as naturally as possible, no matter what | | | | Fame: sunflower, lily, red rose |
| materials are used. Because of its association with | | | | In practising Feng Shui, it is best to stay away |
| the tea ceremony, this style is also called | | | | from artificial or dried flowers, since these |
| cha-bana ( literally "tea flowers"). | | | | symbolise decay or lifelessness. Instead, buy living |
| In the 1890s, shortly after the Meiji Restoration (a | | | | plants and deadhead them regularly, clearing away |
| period of modernization and westernization in | | | | any dead stems or flowers, or fill your home with |
| Japan), there developed a new style of ikebana | | | | fresh flowers. This will encourage good energy |
| called moribana, or "piled-up flowers". This style | | | | flow and give you a sense of balance and |
| appeared partly due to the introduction of | | | | calmness. |