Research On Craftsmanship Of Chineae Ancient Flower Arrangement

Based on the previous fruits of research on craftsmanship of flower arrangement in ancient China, this thesis aims to innovate in researching methods in this field. With the constant improvement of material life, people start expecting more and more from spiritual world. Therefore, to feel, appreciate, and pursue beauty becomes indispensable part of life. However, on the one side, China as the origin and center of orient art of flower arrangement is neglected because it absorbs foreign factors during more and more international exchange between China and other nations. On the other side, Chinese old flower arrangement craft and appreciating criteria are neglected for Chinese people are inclined to use western flower arranging methods and develop beauty appreciating standards of western world.The thesis consists of five chapters, which systematically expatiates craft and art of flower arrangement in ancient China.The first chapter is introduction. Prior to the discussion of research on craft of flower arrangement in ancient China, , the word "craft" which appears in this paper is redefined so that research will be restricted within its category and will not be mixed up with other research. Next, current status of the research in China and other countries are introduced by adopting chronological and horizontal contrast analysis. Three main periods of 1980s, 1990s and 21^st century are used for chronological contrast. Last, new researching methods and innovative ideas are presented.The second chapter is about the development history of flower arrangement in ancient China. The history mentioned in this chapter is divided into 5 periods, which are origin of Chinese ancient flower arrangement craft, its early development in six dynasties from Han to Wei (about 206 B.C.—581 A.D.), the popularity of courtyard jacquard weave in royal palaces in Sui dynasty (581—618)and Tang dynasty (618—907), the duo of ideas and visualization reflected in flower arrangement craft from Song dynasty (960—1279)to Yuan dynasty (1270 —1368), and prosperity of different types of flower arrangement including flowers of new ideas, flowers of bookman, flowers of describing scenery and pictographic flowers in Min dynasty(1368—1644) and Qing dynasty(1644—1911).Third chapter highlights the research on flower arrangement techniques in ancient China. They include ancient flower materials, vessels for flowers, and techniques of breaking branches, fixation whole branches of flower materials, bloom catalyzing and verdure maintaining. These techniques are developed by ancient people based on their practice and are great heritage. By doing research on these techniques, we can use them to guide us to develop modern flower arrangement techniques.