Topic: Ikebana Floral Design
Elegant, simplistic, romantic and architectural--this is ikebana, the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging. Unlike Western bouquets, which are often loaded with bold colors and large sprays of flowers, ikebana is steeped in symbolism. Materials are used to express the passing of time, lines are used to mimic nature. Instead of full-blown blooms that simply wither and die, buds and branches are generally used.