To offer a flower, to offer your philia

Abstract

There is a rather small set of images on attic vases dating from the sixth and fifth century BCE, where the gesture of offering a flower to someone is as a way to salute while expressing his/her esteem, gratitude and affection. As an object of visual, olfactory and tactile pleasure, the flower is a gift that delights, capable of establishing or strengthening relations of friendship. Thus, within scenes of departure, meeting, reunion and even reconciliation, the discreet presence of the flower conveys the Greek notions of philia (friendship) and charis in all its declinations: charm, generosity, pleasure.

Keywords:
flower; philia; charis