What are the categories of flower arrangement art? A detailed explanation of the origin time of flower arrangement in China

From the historical materials currently available, flower arrangement in China originated in the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, flourished in the Tang and Song dynasties, and became widespread in the Ming and Qing dynasties. At present, flower arrangement in China can be traditionally divided into religious flower arrangement, court flower arrangement, literati flower arrangement and folk flower arrangement. Each type of flower arrangement has a different style and a distinctly different form.

(1) Religious flower arrangement: Religious flower arrangement is solemn and dignified, and was the first to appear in historical records. The Records of the Southern Dynasties from the Six Dynasties period states: “There were those who offered lotus flowers to the Buddha; the monks filled bronze vessels with water and soaked the stems, wanting the flowers not to wither.” After this, flower arrangement patterns were painted in the Tang dynasty murals of the Dunhuang Grottoes. The Tang, Song and Ming dynasties all have written and pictorial records, such as the Ming dynasty “Complete Illustrated Romance of the Western Chamber,” in which vase offerings in monastery courtyards are depicted in many places. Religious flower arrangement mainly uses lotus flowers and willow branches, is simple and elegant and solemn, and is not bound by any particular form.

(2) Court flower arrangement: Court flower arrangement is mainly characterized by splendor and wealth and a strong decorative appeal. It mostly uses magnificent peonies as the main floral material. During the Ming and Qing periods, in addition to splendor and wealth and enhancing the grand and illustrious atmosphere of the court, it had already begun to express artistic conception.

(3) Literati flower arrangement: Literati flower arrangement generally emphasizes taste and sentiment, does not seek splendor and does not stress ostentation. By the Ming and Qing periods, some people had already written their flower arrangement experience into complete and systematic monographs.

(4) Folk flower arrangement: Folk flower arrangement generally uses seasonal fresh flowers on festivals and holidays (such as the Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, etc.) to add a lively and festive atmosphere.