There are three basic styles of Ikebana: Rikka (classical and formal); Nageire (naturalistic); and Moribana (a combination of the other two forms with a suggestion of landscape added).

Generally, a flower arrangement is composed of three groups of flowers or branches. The three main lines symbolize Heaven, Man, and Earth. Above all, Ikebana is guided by the ideal of conveying vitality and continuing growth in life.