Blooming Flowers

An evocative and richly illustrated exploration of flowers and how, over the centuries, they have given us so much sustenance, meaning, and pleasure

The bright yellow of a marigold and the cheerful red of a geranium, the evocative fragrance of a lotus or a saffron-infused paella—there is no end of reasons to love flowers. Ranging through the centuries and across the globe, Kasia Boddy looks at the wealth of floral associations that has been passed down in perfumes, poems, and paintings; in the design of buildings, clothes, and jewelry; in songs, TV shows, and children’s names; and in nearly every religious, social, and political ritual.

Exploring the first daffodils of spring and the last chrysanthemums of autumn, this is also a book about seasons. In vibrant detail and drawing on a rich array of illustrations, Boddy considers how the sunflower, poppy, rose, lily—and many others—have given rise to meaning, value, and inspiration throughout history, and why they are integral to so many different cultures.

O explorare evocatoare si bogat ilustrata a florilor si modul in care, de-a lungul secolelor, ne-au oferit atat de multa sustinere, semnificatie si placere Galbenul stralucitor al unei galbenele si rosul vesel al unei muscate, parfumul evocator al unui lotus sau al unui sofran -paella infuzata - nu exista un sfarsit de motive pentru a iubi florile.