Wreath (attire)

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Mosaic of a Roman woman with a floral wreath on her head and a garland over her shoulder (2nd century AD).

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

[edit] Ancient Greece

See also: Olive wreath and Laurel wreath

The wreath is associated with Greek attire and celebrations since ancient times, continuing a tradition to the modern day Olympic ceremonies. Ancient coinage minted by early Greek city-states often depicted a goddess or other figure with a wreath. For example, on certain early coins of ancient Kydonia, Crete, the goddess Britomartis was struck wearing a wreath of grapevines.^{[citation needed]} Wreaths were also used in religious worship (myrtle was sacred to the goddess Aphrodite), they were also used to decorate the Hermae,^[1] stone pillars surmounted with the head of a god or distinguished mortal.

[edit] Ancient Rome

Wreaths were also part of clothing in Rome. Laurel wreaths were used by military and public officials in parades. Wreaths made out of olive leaves were worn by consuls and senators. During a period of the ancient Roman civilisation, it was a custom for soldiers rescued from a siege to present a wreath made of grass to the commander of the rescuing force.^[2]

[edit] Ukraine

Main article: Ukrainian wreath

A tradition of the Ukrainian wreath,^[3] a headdress made from 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 on holy days.

[edit] Polynesia

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