Crossing Lines in Ikebana

Patterns Created by Lines

Crossing form

Flowers used

Steps of making

   In ikebana, careful selection of materials and thoughtful placement are important to bring out the beauty of lines. There are two basic ways to highlight the lines:

• Placing stems upright ( Vertical ) to create a simple, clean, and calm impression

• Tilting stems diagonally ( Slanting ) to introduce movement, rhythm, and flow

When tilting stems diagonally, there are two main options :

• Keeping the diagonal lines parallel

• Crossing the diagonal lines to create a pattern

Crossing lines adds complexity to both the movement and the overall pattern of the design. Because this complexity can easily make the design feel chaotic, it is important to clearly set "crossing" as the main design focus.

By minimising other design elements and concentrating on expressing the beauty of crossing lines, it is possible to maintain a sense of order and achieve a clean, refined look—even within a complex structure.

Intersecting lines create natural movement and rhythm, adding depth and life to the ikebana design.

Crossing lines not only add beauty but also require greater technical skill. This type of design is also technically more challenging to execute beautifully. When creating crossing lines, attention must be given to both the stems and the direction of the flowers. The placement of flowers and stems must be thought about together to keep the balance of the design.

At a more advanced level, shifting the centre axis creates a stronger sense of dynamism and tension in the design. Because this is a highly developed technique, it is recommended to first practice by placing the kenzan near the centre of the vase and arranging from there. After becoming comfortable, try slightly moving the kenzan to shift the centre axis of the design. Later, it is also helpful to practice adjusting the outline to enhance the dynamic effect even more.

Crossing lines and shifting the centre axis bring energy and elegance to ikebana, creating designs full of life.

  Flowers used : Iris, Queen Ann's Lace, Carnation, Dracaena Florida beauty, Miscanthus grass

  Steps of making :

1. Adjust the size of the grasses. Autumn grasses often grow long and thick. Trim the tops or remove some leaves to adjust their size to fit the vase, creating a good overall balance.

2. Arrange the grasses first to build height and the crossing structure. When arranging, avoid placing the tallest leaves or grasses at the back. Instead, place shorter leaves toward the back to create a sense of depth and unity in the design.

3. Add the iris. Remove some leaves from the iris to expose the stem.This highlights the elegant form of the iris and makes its line clearer.

4. Adjust the visual weight using carnations and dracaena leaves. Use carnations and dracaena leaves to balance the overall composition, adjusting the visual centre to create a stable and harmonious design.