Garland

What is Garland?

A garland is a string, braid, or wreath made by tying or threading together flowers, leaves, or sometimes other items like beads or fruit. Garlands can be worn around the neck or head, draped over statues, hung in homes, or used to decorate spaces during festivals and ceremonies. In India and other South Asian countries, garlands are often made with fragrant flowers such as jasmine, rose, or lotus, and may include special leaves or even currency notes. In Christian countries, garlands are used as festive decorations, especially at Christmas.

Where does Garland come from?

The word 'garland' comes from the French 'guirlande' and Italian 'ghirlanda', both meaning a braid. Garlands have a long history in many cultures. In the Indian subcontinent, they began as secular decorations for homes and streets, later becoming important in Hindu rituals and ceremonies. Ancient Tamil kings in South India supported the daily making of garlands for temple deities, a practice still seen in temple gardens (nandavanams) today. Garlands also appear in Western traditions, such as the daisy chain made by children and the lei of Hawaiʻi.

How Garland is made

Garlands are made by threading, knotting, or braiding flowers, leaves, or other materials together. In South India, garlands for temples are made early in the morning with freshly picked flowers, following strict rules about cleanliness and ritual purity. Some garlands are made with needle and thread, while others use the fibers of banana trees. In Christian traditions, garlands may be made from tinsel, pine, or beads and are often wrapped around trees or hung in homes.

When and where Garland is used

Garlands are worn at weddings, especially by brides and grooms in India, and are given to guests of honor as a mark of respect. In Hindu worship, garlands are offered to deities and used to adorn statues. Women in India and Bangladesh wear flower garlands called gajra in their hair during festivals. In Christian countries, garlands are popular as Christmas decorations. Special garlands are also used in funerals and as emblems in songs and literature.

Forms of Garland

There are many types of garlands: the daisy chain made by children, the Hawaiian lei, and the mundamala depicted in Hindu and Buddhist iconography. In South India, garlands vary by method and purpose, such as thodutha maalai (banana fiber) for weddings and kortha maalai (needle and thread) for temple offerings. Each Hindu deity is associated with a specific flower or leaf garland. The gajra is a small hair garland worn by women.

What Garland means

Garlands carry deep meaning in many cultures. In India, they symbolize respect, purity, and devotion, and are central to weddings and religious rituals. The Nepalese national anthem refers to the nation as a garland woven from many flowers. In Christianity, garlands are festive symbols, especially at Christmas. In South Indian temples, strict traditions govern the making and use of garlands for deities. Garlands also appear in literature, art, and national symbols.

The flowers of Garland

RoseWoody perennial plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in many coloursJasmineA group of fragrant shrubs and vines with white or yellow star-shaped flowersLilyTall bulb flowers with large, colourful blooms in many gardens and culturesChrysanthemumAutumn-blooming flower with thousands of varieties, cherished in East Asia and beyondSacred lotusThe pink aquatic flower sacred in Asia and grown for food, worship and beautyOleanderA showy, evergreen shrub with clusters of pink, white or red flowersHibiscusA tropical genus with large, colourful trumpet-shaped flowersLotusAquatic plants with large, round leaves and striking flowers called lotus

Traditions that use it

Questions people ask about Garland

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• BBC - Gardening - Gardening Guides: Gardening with ChildrenBBC, Article
• Leaders garland Mutherayar statueThe Hindu, Article

• Garland on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data