By We’ve all seen the scenes in which the show star receives flowers when the curtain drops. Also, we’ve seen dressing rooms filled with flowers. Do you need flowers or gifts for dancers for their recital?
Even though no one is expecting flowers or gifts, it’s clear that you feel the need to do something extra for a dancer following their recital.
Continue reading to learn more about gifting flowers and gifts to performers. We also explain why you shouldn’t buy flowers for them, the best flowers, and other gift options!
You can also visit our article if you need help with what to wear to a ballet or dance recital.
Why do performers, dancers and ballerinas receive flowers after performances?
A form of appreciation is to give flowers to performers, ballerinas, and dancers after performances. Admirers and fans send flowers to ballerinas to show how much they are loved and adored.
Here’s a quick FASCINATING History of why we give flowers to dancers
Although no date or event can be dated to prove when this tradition began, the act of giving flowers in appreciation and respect has been practised almost since the dawn of time.
NEANNDERTHAL EVIIDENCE
Numerous archaeological sites have found evidence that pollen, and flowers, were placed on graves as far back as the Neanderthal period (35 to 45,000 years ago).
ANCIENT EGYPT
Pharaohs, and even peasants in ancient Egyptian times, would decorate themselves with flowers and gift them to their loved ones as gifts of love or worship.
ROMAN EMPIRE
Romans presented floral wreaths to their winners, and Chinese history reveals that it was a custom for followers of religion to place cut flowers at their altars of worship as early as 618 CE.
THE VICTORIANS
During the Victorian Era (FYI: The Victorian Era refers to the period between 1837 and 1901), the giving flowers were art and language.
Every colour and every flower had a meaning. Even the way they were given to the recipient was important. It was a time in which expressing emotion publicly was not acceptable. Flowers and bouquets could communicate love, gratitude, or friendship in a way words could not.
WHERE IT ALL STARTED…
Many British ballet companies incorporated flower-giving into their culture. The dancers were paid very little, and the supporters would pay for the food, chocolates and flowers.
It was the fragrance that was most sought after back then, as regular bathing was impossible for everyone. The flowers also helped to mask other smells.
Fans have given gifts to the most beloved dancers and ballerinas for centuries. Jennifer Homans’ book Apollo’s Angels: A History of Ballet relates how audiences in the 1800s were so fascinated by Marie Salles’ performance that they would throw gold coins wrapped up in banknotes and ribbons onto the stage to make them look like bonbons.
THE VICTORIANS
The giving of flowers was an art form and a language during the Victorian era.
Every colour and every flower had a meaning. Even the way they were given to the recipient was important. It was a time in which expressing emotion publicly was not acceptable. Flowers and bouquets were a way to express love, gratitude, or friendship unmatched by words.
WHERE IT ALL STARTED…
Many British ballet companies incorporated flower-giving into their culture. The dancers were paid very little, and the supporters would pay for the food, chocolates and flowers.
It was the fragrance that was most sought after back then, as regular bathing was impossible for everyone. The flowers also helped to mask other smells.
Fans have given gifts to the most beloved dancers and ballerinas for centuries. Jennifer Homans’ book Apollo’s Angels: A History of Ballet relates how audiences in the 1800s were so fascinated by Marie Salles’ performance that they would throw gold coins wrapped up in banknotes and ribbons onto the stage to look like bonbons.
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