Page:Japanese flower arrangement.djvu/203

 the side presented, represents the masculine, it can be put in a more conspicuous place than a flower or leaf which is feminine—with the exception of buds, which, though feminine, must in most cases be placed in the top of the arrangement, as that is the natural way the plant grows.

Follow the nature of your flower's growth, and if it buds at the top have a half-open flower for Heaven, with a tiny bud above it. This bud should be free from leaves, as a bud or flower behind a leaf is always in.

The Man branch should almost always be made of the full-blown flower, unless the flowers are very large. In such cases, as the peony, always put the fullest blown flower in the lowest or Earth position. The peony is so heavy that a long stem would droop into bad shape with a fully opened flower, whereas the short stem of Earth will hold it in position.

These rules are very flexible in application, and whenever you are uncertain, [197]