There\u27s a simple formula to arranging flowers that has been handed down through the centuries by the Japanese. You can always be sure if you follow the rules

Keeney, Marty

English

There's a simple formula to arranging flowers that has been handed down through the centuries by the Japanese. You can always be sure if you follow the rules.</p

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Photographs: Better Homes and Gardens (Top) Arrange heaven, man and earth flowers. (Middle) Additional b looms, called mountains, and meadows are used for depth and balance. (Bottom) Add "helpers" last to fill in spaces. They should be facing upward to the high point. in your flower arranging Follow an Oriental Formula by Marty Keeney li orne Economics Sophomore T HERE'S A SlMPLE formula to arranging flowers that has been handed clown through the centuries by the Japanese. You can always be sure if you follow the rules. To the Japanese it is an art and a part of their religion. These masters of flower art make no secret of the beauty and simple achieve-ment of their work. They use a simple formula which even an amateur can follow to create arrangements with a professional look. This type of arrangement is ideal if used against a wall or on a shelf or corner of a buffet table. Use Triangular Placement The first requirement is the triangular placement of high, medium and low stmctural lines. The Japanese have given this formation a spiritual meaning. The highest flower symbolizes heaven, medium stands for man, and the low flower, earth. The h1gh point is filled by a long-stemmed blossom, usually one and one-half to two times as long as the greatest width of the container, if a low bowl is used. Use the same proportions, according to height for a taller vase. Place the stem in the back center of the holder. The medium (man) flower should be about two-thirds as long as the first, and the low (earth) flower should be one-half the length of the highest. Place both of these at forward angles to the primary stem. Now add additional flowers to the skeleton. The Japanese have names for these, too, which may aiel us in remembering their positions. They are called "mountains," "meadows" and '"helpers," and are closely related to the basic lines. They add depth, dimension and naturalism. Another simple rule to remember is that the flowers should be facing toward the high or heaven line. All but those which naturally hang from their stems, such as lilies-of-the-valley, will face upward. All types of growing plants may be used in bouquets. Use your imagination and add unusual leaves or foliage to the arrangement as helpers to give it an individual touch. Select fresh, whole flowers, but don't hesitate to use mature blooms. A full-blown rose, placed low, can be used to good advantage in an arrangement to balance the height of smaller, longer stemmed flowers. Collect Colored Pebbles Contrasts in shape and texture of flowers will make the arrangement more pleasing, as will low placement of darker colors and the use of an uneven number of blossoms. Collect colored pebbles or shells to scatter over the holder and the bottom of the container. A small figure will add a unique touch. lt is important in this type of flower arrangement to use only the simplest type of vase or bowl. Remember that the vase should not be another focal point in arrangement, but should blend with it. These basic ideas of centuries' standing can be followed by anyone to achieve an arrangement, which though natural, does not look as if it were thrown at the vase. With a little practice the beginner can lea rn to adapt these principles to suit her own tastes and imagination. THE IowA HoMEMAKER 

Follow an Oriental Formula

https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4489&amp;context=homemaker

Follow an Oriental Formula

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