Ivory is a color of
pure and kind. And that is a represent for the image of a flower girl. In the
middle ages, many people were poor and did not practice good hygiene. Many
people only bathed once a year, and the use of floral sachets to cover body
odor was routine. During a special occasion like a wedding, the young girls
would spread the fragrant petals of roses, lilac and other strongly scented
flowers on the ground. As the petals were crushed by people walking upon them,
they would release their powerful aroma, leaving behind a pleasant scent that
was far more preferable to the natural odors of the guests and participants.
The Victorian era
ushered in many changes that you will still see today. With an emphasis on romance,
the Victorians began dressing the flower girls in gowns to match the bride. The
use of garlands of flowers encircling their hair became fashionable during this
time, as well as the use more ornamental flowers throughout the ceremony. Satin
sashes and sweet romantic touches adorned the flower girl, who in turn brought
good luck and joy to the bride and groom. This tradition remains today.
Most cultures have
incorporated the use of flower girls in one way or another. Many traditions
call for the flower girl to wear a white dress as a beacon of purity and
innocence. Some cultures prefer
brighter, more robust prints as a sign of growth and bright, new beginnings.
The one common factor is they all carry or wear flowers. In the western
culture, we have become accustomed to the ritual of tossing flower petals on
the path of the bride. Elsewhere, the flower girl may wear a ring of flowers in
her hair or as a garland around her neck.
In some African
cultures the flower girls carry, and play, instruments that are used for the
wedding march. In India, the flower girl will receive intricate henna tattoos
just as her older counterparts receive. In some Asian cultures, red is the
color of the day, and is shared by the flower girl and the bride. In some
areas, elaborate face paint is employed to make the flower girl stand apart.
In all corners of the
planet, we just love to see little girls adorned as flower girls. This age-old
tradition will never go out of style.
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