Laurel wreaths have been around since ancient times, and they represent victory, power and glory. They’re a great addition to any headdress, whether it’s a flower crown or a hair accessory. They’re also popular for their sweet, spicy scent!
You can make your own laurel wreath for your head in just a few easy steps. Using wire hoops, floral tape and card stock you can make this simple, yet stunning piece of headwear!
First, gather your supplies. You’ll need a strip of paper for the base of your head band, scissors, floral tape, ivy vines and floral wire.
Next, cut a few strips of paper that are the size you want for your laurel wreath. You can use your head as a pattern to help you cut these strips out.
Once your paper strips are cut out, use them as patterns to create each limb and branch of your laurel wreath. The limbs should be slightly curved and the branches should be a bit more rounded.
Attach the limbs and branches to your wire hoops with small pieces of floral wire (I used about 3-4 inches between each). Once you’ve attached all the limbs, it’s time to start adding in your leaves!
Place a few of your leaves on each branch and bend them into the shape of the hoop. If you need to add a few more, do so by twisting the branches together.
Repeat this process until you have a full circle of branches with leaves attached to each one. Once you’ve added all the limbs and leaves, you can glue them down to your headband!
You can also add a few more flowers to your wreath. Laurels, especially the bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), have a sweet, spicy fragrance. They’re also easy to grow and are a good choice for beginner gardeners.
Laurel wreaths can be a wonderful gift for anyone who is about to embark on a new adventure, has overcome a challenging situation or has accomplished something they never thought they could do! The wreath is a symbol of victory and strength, so it’s the perfect accessory to give to someone who needs a boost!
Another great idea for a laurel wreath is to make it into a family crest. It’s a nice way to display your family tree, and it’s easy enough to DIY!
The history behind a laurel wreath dates back to Greek mythology, where Apollo was the patron of sport and archery. He had a falling out with Eros, the god of love and romance. Apollo mocked Eros for his love of bows and arrows, which is how the laurel wreath became an important cultural symbol.
In ancient Greece, the wreath was given to a person who had won a battle or demonstrated other valorous qualities during a sporting event. This adornment was later worn by emperors and nobles, who had achieved great success in their lives. It was even a common motif in heraldry, where wreaths were used as a charge on the shield.