A wreath is an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs or various materials that is constructed to resemble a ring.
In English-speaking countries, wreaths are used typically as household ornaments, mainly as Christmas decorations to celebrate the birth of Christ. They are also used in ceremonial events in many cultures around the globe. Wreaths have much history and symbolism associated with them. They are usually made from evergreens and symbolize strength, as evergreens last even throughout the harshest winters. Bay laurel may also be used, and these wreaths are known as laurel wreath.
Read more about Wreath: Etymology, Wreaths Worn As Crowns
Other articles related to "wreath":
... Hefekranz or Hefezopf (literally "yeast wreath" and "yeast braid") are breads from Switzerland, southern Germany, Austria and South Tyrol ... consisting of a braid, the Hefekranz' braid is bent into a wreath ("Kranz" meaning wreath) ... called vetekrans or vetelängd (literally "wheat wreath" or "wheat piece") is made in Sweden ...
... Scottish crest badges may contain the following elements Crest A crest stands above the wreath which stands above the shield in a coat of arms ... Wreath The wreath appears on a coat of arms between the crest and helmet ... When on a crest badge, the wreath is always shown below the crest to show that it is a heraldic crest and not another object ...
... The whole is within the Union wreath of flowering Rose, Thistle Shamrock surmounted by the Royal Crown ... under the central tie of the Union Wreath the badge of the Royal Regiment of Artillery within a laurel wreath bearing four scrolls inscribed as follows ...
... In ancient Greece, a wreath of laurel or olive was awarded to victorious athletes and later poets ... Among the Romans, generals celebrating a formal triumph wore a laurel wreath, an honor that during the Empire was restricted to the Imperial family ... The placing of the wreath was often called a "crowning", and its relation to immortality was problematic it was supposed to secure the wearer immortality in the form of enduring fame, but the ...
... depicted in Christian artwork wearing a wreath as a crown, and on the wreath stand lit candles symbolizing the light of the world represented by Christ ... Lucia's crowns", made of a brass wreath holding candles, are part of the customs associated with this holiday ...
Famous quotes containing the word wreath:
“And before, with banner red,
Through the blizzard snow unseen,
All unharmed by hail of lead,
With a step like snow so light,
Showered in myriad pearls of snow.
Crowned in wreath of roses white,
Christ leads onward as they go.”
—Alexander Blok (1880–1921)
“But seldom the laurel wreath is seen
Unmixed with pensive pansies dark;
There’s a light and a shadow on every man
Who at last attains his lifted mark—
Nursing through night the ethereal spark.
Elate he never can be;
He feels that spirits which glad had hailed his worth,
Sleep in oblivion.—The shark
Glides white through the phosphorus sea.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)