Flowers of Ancient Egypt

The beauty of flowers fascinated ancient Egyptians, which was all the more emphasized by the sacred and symbolic qualities they believed flowers possessed. Sṯj-šʒ (literally ‘garden scent’), as they called them, were used for floral decorations and their fragrant blooms for crafting perfumed ointments. Exotic plants and trees were also appreciated and Ramses III, as…

Field or corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.) is one of the frequently represented flowers in ancient Egyptian art. Field poppies grew as weeds among ancient Egyptian cereal crops but were also cultivated. Frequently represented in Egyptian garden, the crimson flowers were used to fashion fresh bouquets, which also played an important part in the cult…