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Balance refers to the stability of an arrangement. When all of the design elements are composed so that the arrange¬ment appears secure and stable, then balance has been achieved.
Balance must be both visual and actual. Visual balance refers to the way an arrangement appears to the eye. It is achieved by the proper use of color and the placement of plant materials according to size.
Visual weight refers to how heavy an object appears in the arrangement. Flowers of dark colors appear to be heavier than flowers of lighter colors even if they are the same size. Likewise, flowers or objects of coarse texture appear heavier than similarly sized objects of smooth texture. Because darker colored and coarsely textured flowers appear to be heavy, they must be placed near the base of the arrange-ment. Lighter, smoother ones are placed near the edges. This helps give the arrangement visual balance.
Actual balance or mechanical balance is achieved by the proper placement of flowers so that there is an equal amount  of weight on both sides of a central axis in the arrangement. If mechanical balance is not achieved, then the arrangement may topple Two kinds of balance, symmetrical and asymmetrical, are commonly used (Fig:5.1.). Symmetrical or formal balance is characterized by equal visual weight on each side of an imaginary, central, vertical line. This equal visual weight does not have to be expressed in identical materials, but the materials are usually very similar. More traditional styles of arrangements are based on this type of balance.
Arrangements that are symmetrically balanced give a feel¬ing of dignity and formality. They are poised rather than mov¬ing, passive rather than active. Symmetrical arrangements should be displayed against a symmetrical background and accessories displayed in a symmetrical way. Arrangements placed before the altar in a church or on the head table at a banquet hall are usually symmetrically balanced.
Asymmetrical or informal arrangements have equal vi¬sual weight on both sides of a central axis, but each side is different in plant materials and the manner of arrangement. Japanese styles of arranging are based on asymmetrical bal¬ance and have greatly influenced our contemporary style of arranging. Asymmetrical balance is active rather than pas¬sive and suggests movement to the eye. This type of balance is more informal.
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