Ikebana floral arrangement is a form of traditional Japanese flower arrangement. In Japan, Ikebana flower arrangement is also known as Kado. In Ikebana flower arrangement, only fresh flowers are used. Like all things essentially Japanese, Ikebana flower arrangements are not just elements of beauty, but have a deep rooted philosophy. These exotic arrangements started as offerings at a Buddhist temple in the tenth century, although there have been evidences of Ikebana as early as the sixth century. There are many rules to follow while making an eastern Ikebana floral arrangement.

It is very different from usual flower arrangements; it is much simpler in appearance. Western flower arrangements make use of many flowers of varied hues and shapes arranged in many layers. In comparison Japanese Ikebana flower arrangements focus on linearity. They use very few flowers; some times it may even be just one. The arrangement should be made keeping a three dimensional perspective in mind. In an Ikebana flower arrangement, color is not such an important aspect.

Creative Ikebana flower arrangements have evolved in Japan over the centuries. The meaning portrayed through this simple assortment of flowers is a very deep one. Ikebana arrangement of flowers has three main points in their structure. These three points symbolize heaven, earth and man. The highest position in the flower arrangement which is called Shin represents heaven. The next level is called Soe which is earth, 3/4th of Shin, and the last rung in the structure known as Hikae symbolizes man and is 3/4th of Soe.

In Ikebana flower arrangements, the vase, flowers, leaves, stems and branches are all an indispensable part of the arrangement, having specific meaning and function. Even the blooms have a specified meaning. Full blown flowers represent the past, half bloom flowers symbolize the present, and a flower bud is representative of the future.

In Ikebana style floral arrangement there are rules regarding containers also. Metal containers are used in winter, earthen bowls are used in spring and fall, and lastly woven baskets are used in summer. The Ikebana style of flower arrangement can be achieved in two ways, namely, Heika and Moribana. The former is the older form of arrangement. In case of Heika, tall vases are used and one has to adhere to many rigid rules. Moribana uses much more shallow containers and is a newer style of flower decoration. This has relatively flexible rules.

The Japanese think of asymmetry as being representative of nature. The number of placements in Ikebana flower arrangement has to be odd, depicting asymmetry. They think of symmetry as stagnation.

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