The rose, beautiful in all of its colours, is the most popular flower in the world. They are the very symbols of love and beauty, and are shrouded with layers of rich symbolisms. Whether or not you particularly like roses, you cannot deny that roses are widely used to show heart-felt sentiments and at important events such as weddings.
Here at Flower Advisor, we have an excellent variety of roses of various colours. However, let's start out by learning the significance and related facts about roses in general.
Origins
Did you know that the origins of the cultivated rose are speculated to be Northen Persia, on the Caspian, or Faristan on the Gulf of Persia? Or the fact that the oldest rose fossil to have been found was located in Colorado dating more than 35 million years ago?
Amazing isn't it?
As for the name, the word "rose" is of Latin origin from the word "rosa". It is also known as "acicularis", derived from the Latin word "acidula" which translates to "needle-like prickly", which is of course inspired from the thorns of roses.
Countries that produce roses
Roses mostly thrive excellently in temperate climates. However there are a few species that can be cultivated in sub-tropical and even tropical climates.
Amongst the countries that produce roses are India, Columbia, Ecuador, Uganda and Kenya in Africa, Israel and the Netherlands.
The Netherlands is in fact, the top exporter of roses in the world.
Roses and numbers
Every denomination of roses serves a unique meaning in itself. So if you are seeking to send roses with a message in mind, this list should help you make a decision:
1 Rose - Love at first sight; you are the one
3 Roses - I love you
12 Roses - There are a dozen ways I care about you
18 Roses - I am sorry
24 Roses - Can't stop thinking of you - 24 hours a day
36 Roses - A romantic attachment unlike any other
48 Roses - An unchanging and unconditional love
99 Roses - I will love you for as long as I live
100 Roses - Devoted to you until we are at a ripe-old age
108 Roses - Please Marry Me!
999 Roses - Everlasting and eternal love
Roses and colours
Here's a brief mention about the significance of rose colours and combinations:
- Red: An expression of love; a symbol of courage and respect
- Pink: Admiration; a new love that has yet to bloom, appreciation, motherly love
- White: Innocence, purity, secrecy, marriage, loyalty, reverence and humility
- Yellow: Joy and deep friendship or platonic love. It could also denote jealousy, infidelity, a dying love and farewell.
- Blue: Mystery, the impossible and the unattainable
- Purple: Love at first sight, enchantment and all things magical
Roses in religion and mythology
Roses have always been symbols of love and beauty, since ancient times. The rose was sacred to the Greek Goddess of Love, Aphrodite and thus the ancient Greeks and Romans associated roses with the Goddess.
Another Goddess that has been associated with roses is the Egyptian Goddess Isis. In ancient Egypt, roses were considered the most sacred of flowers and were used as offerings for Isis. Roses have also been known to be found in Egyptian tombs, where they have been used as funerary wreaths.
The rose is also often used to symbolize the Virgin Mary. It is said that roses are Mary's favourite flowers, and she used roses as a sign of her presence several times in history. She wore three garlands of roses and had tiny roses around the rim of her slippers at La Sallette. She brought lovely roses with her at Lourdes, Pontmain, Pellevoisin, Beauraing and Banneaux. To Sister Josefa Menendez she showed her immaculate heart encircled with little white roses.
Mary's wedding garment was also said to be “richly embroidered with blue, white, violet, and gold roses”. It is said that at the Incarnation, while the Angel vanished into the path leading to heaven, half-bloomed roses fell on Mary.
With all these associations with the beautiful flower, it is no surprise that Mary is referred to as the Mystical Rose, or Rosa Mystica in Latin.
Roses in history
Roses created an impact on history as well:
- In England :
In the 15 th century, the English were already cultivating and making hybrids of roses. Tudor Henry VII, the winner of the English War of Roses created the Rose of England by crossbreeding other roses. This Rose is also known as the Tudor Rose.
- In China :
Philosopher Confucius was said to have reported that the Imperial Chinese library is well-stocked with books on roses.
- In Mesopotamia :
Ancient Sumerians mentioned roses in a cuneiform tablet (a system of writing). It was written approximately 2860 BC.
Other facts about roses
As a National, State and Provincial flower
- The rose is the national flower of England and the United States
- The white rose is the provincial flower of Yorkshire and the red rose is the flower for Lancashire – both provinces in England
- The rose is also the state flowers for Iowa, North Dakota, Georgia and New York
- Portland, Oregon is also known as the City of Roses and holds a Rose Festival at a yearly basis.
As a symbol of secrecy
Sub Rosa, a Latin phrase translates into “under the rose” which basically means secrecy or confidentiality.
The rose and its connotation of secrecy started way back in Ancient Egypt and Greek Mythology.
In ancient Egypt , the rose was the Emblem for the God Horus. Horus was later known as the God of Silence.
In Greek mythology, it was said that Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and beauty gave her son Eros (Cupid) a rose. He in turn, gave it to Harpocrates (Horus), the God of Silence to make certain that his mother's indiscretions were kept under wraps.
About The Author
This article is written by Nuraishah from Streetdirectory Singapore.
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