Wreath in attire

A wreath worn for purpose of attire is a headdress or headband made of leaves, grasses, flowers or branches. It is typically worn on celebrations, festive occasions and holy days, having a long history and association with ancient pageants and ceremonies. Outside occasional use, the wreath can also be used as a crown or a mark of honour. The wreath most often has an annular geometric construction.

History

The first wreaths were woven as early as the 5th century BC. In ancient Greece, traditional laurel wreaths were used as victors' wreaths at the Delphic Games. The winner of the Olympic Games received an oak wreath as a token of honor. Even today, wreaths adorn badges and certificates of honor as symbols. These first wreaths, however, were woven from the green or evergreen branches of trees and non-flowering plants. Young girls in particular wove flowers into their wreaths as a decorative element. These were already worn in the hair by the Germanic peoples on major holidays or at seasonal changes. 

With the spread of Christianity and the suppression or reinterpretation of pagan holidays, the significance of the flower wreath was lost in Europe. This only changed after the French Revolution, when floral decorations and flower gifts became fashionable again. A special form of wreath was introduced by the Evangelical Lutheran theologian Johann Hinrich Wichern at the beginning of the 19th century: To make it easier for children to wait for Christmas, he invented the Advent wreath, which at that time was decorated with 24 candles, which symbolized the path from 1 December to Christmas Day.

Ancient Greece

The wreath has been associated with Greek attire and celebrations since ancient times, a tradition that continues to modern Olympic ceremonies. Ancient coinage minted by early Greek city-states often depicted a divinity or other figure with a wreath. Wearing a wreath may have also had a mediating role by helping the wearer get closer to a specific deity. Different plants were dedicated to various gods: oak to Zeus, laurel to Apollo, herbs to Demeter, grapevine to Dionysos and myrtle to Aphrodite. Wreaths were also used to decorate the hermae, stone pillars surmounted with the head of a god or distinguished mortal.

Ancient Rome

Wreaths were also part of clothing in Ancient Rome.

Laurel wreaths from the bay laurel tree Laurus nobilis were worn by triumphatores – victorious generals celebrating a Roman triumph. Generals awarded a celebration ritual, the ovation (Latin: ovatio) wore wreaths of myrtle (Myrtus communis).

Wreaths (Latin: coronae, lit. 'crowns') were awarded as military awards and decorations. In the Roman Republic, the nature of the feat determined the nature of the wreath awarded. It was a custom for soldiers rescued from a siege to present a wreath made of grass (Latin: corona graminea or corona obsidionalis) to the commander of the relieving force. This award was extremely rare, and Pliny the Elder enumerated only eight times occasions that had warranted the honour, ending with the emperor Augustus. The oak leaf civic crown (Latin: corona civica) was awarded to Romans who had saved the life of another citizen in battle. The award was open to soldiers in the Roman army of all ranks, unlike most other wreaths, which were awarded to commanders and officers only in the Roman imperial period of the Roman Empire.

A gold wreath (Latin: corona aurea) was also awarded for gallant military conduct. In the Roman navy, the naval crown (Latin: corona navalis, corona classica, or corona rostrata) was a wreath awarded for feats in naval battles. In an assault on a fortified position, a mural crown (Latin: corona muralis) was awarded to the first man onto the walls of the enemy fortification.

Christianity

In Christianity, the wreath represents the resurrection of Christ and, therefore, eternal life, or more appropriately, the victory of life over death. The crown of thorns was placed on the head of Jesus at his execution by crucifixion and became a symbol of the Passion.

Slavic people

A tradition of the wreath, a headdress made of leaves, flowers and branches worn by girls and young unmarried women, dates back to the old Slavic customs that predate the Christianization of Rus. The flower wreath remains a part of the Ukrainian national costume and is worn on festive occasions and holy days.

Polynesia

Floral wreaths and garlands, known as lei (Hawaii), are ubiquitous in Polynesia as both ornamental attire and gifts representative of affection or respect. They are worn by men and women around the neck or around the head and are commonly fashioned of flowers, leaves, vines, and plant fibre.

Indigenous peoples of the Americas

Wreaths are part of the culture and legends of indigenous peoples of the Americas. The Cheyenne people wear wreaths during sacred ceremonies, rituals, dances and songs and head wreaths are usually made from willow, cottonwood or sage.

Modern times

Wreaths have resurged in popularity in the 21st century. Flower crowns, or "crowns of love", are popular at outdoor music festivals such as Coachella. Variants made with artificial flowers can be purchased. Flower crowns became a popular internet meme in 2013, originating from the One Direction fandom and consisting of digitally adding the "crown" to celebrities and characters, such as Hannibal Lecter, Sherlock Holmes, and The Doctor.

Use and meaning

Flower wreaths are used primarily for two purposes today: First, they serve as decorative home and room ornaments, such as door wreaths. Second, they adorn individuals, where they have a special symbolic significance. Their main uses are:

Wedding wreath: As a door decoration in front of the bride and groom's front door or in the bride's hair, the flowers express innocence and youthfulness.

Funeral wreath: The round shape of the wreath without end or beginning symbolizes infinity, the green color the hope for life after death and a reunion with loved ones in the afterlife.

Polynesian lei wreaths: Worn around the necks of visitors to Hawaii, they symbolize hospitality and enjoyment. 

The meaning of wreaths that are hung as decorations in the home or on doors differs depending on the season: here too, the round shape represents infinity and the eternal cycle of the seasons. Traditionally, they are decorated with fruit and berries in autumn to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. In winter, evergreen branches such as yew, spruce, boxwood, arborvitae and holly are said to drive away demons and witches according to popular belief. Mistletoe has been considered a conqueror of darkness since Celtic times and is therefore still often used in winter flower wreaths today. Decorative wreaths decorated with flowers welcome spring and summer.

Sourced from Wikipedia