Covering, or clothing and accessories, for the human body. The term encompasses garments as shirts, togas, footwear, hats, and gloves; hairstyles, facial hair, and wigs; and cosmetics, jewelry, and other forms of body decoration. In cultures thoughout the world, perhaps the most obvious function of dress is to provide warmth and protection, but it can also serve religious or ritual purposes. Other basic functions of dress include identifying the wearer (by providing information about sex, age, occupation, or other characteristic) and making the wearer appear more attractive. In the West up through the modern era, dress has often functioned as a reflection of social and economic standing. Seealso fashion.

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A wreath is a headdress made from leaves, grasses, flowers or branches. It is typically worn in festive occasions and on holy days and has a long history and association with ancient pageants and ceremonies. The wreath most often has an annular geometric construction.

Ukraine

A tradition of the Ukrainian wreath, a headdress made from leaves, flowers, and branches worn by girls and young unmarried women, dates back to the old Slavic customs that predate the Christianization of Rus. The flower wreath remains a part of the Ukrainian national costume and is worn on festive occasions and on holy days.

Indigenous peoples of the Americas

Flower wreaths are also part of the culture and legends of indigenous peoples of the Americas.

Ancient Greece

The wreath is associated with Greek attire and celebrations since ancient times, continuing a tradition to the modern day Olympic ceremonies. Ancient coinage minted by early Greek city-states often depicted a goddess or other figure with a wreath. For example, on certain early coins of ancient Kydonia, Crete, the goddess Britomartis was struck wearing a wreath of grapevines.

Ancient Rome

Wreaths were also part of clothing in Rome. Laurel wreaths were used by military and public officials in parades. Wreaths made out of olive leaves were worn by consuls and senators. During a period of the ancient Roman civilisation, it was a custom for soldiers rescued from a siege to present a wreath made of grass to the commander of the rescuing force.

See also

• Numismatics

Line notes

References

• Thomas Arnold (1871) History of Rome
• C. Michael Hogan (2007) Knossos fieldnotes, The Modern Antiquarian
• Orysia Paszczak Tracz, Vinok, vinochok, The Ukrainian Weekly, August 1, 1999