Enjoying the prestigious position as the most cultivated flower in the world, the rose has a history and mythology spanning many continents and millennia. The history of the rose is almost as expansive as its dozens of colours, hundred-plus species, and thousands of cultivars. While growing roses in your own garden can require a greater-than-average amount of labour and attention, purchasing them for any number of occasions—such as birthdays, anniversaries, funerals, and romantic engagements to name a few, or as a special treat for yourself if you find your home could use a bit of fragrant brightening—has never been easier thanks to their wide availability in floral shops.
Despite its long and varied history, the genesis for the name of the rose couldn’t be simpler, coming from the Latin rosa, for ‘red.’ This is a bit of a misnomer considering that roses come in almost every colour under the sun, including: red, several shades of pink ranging from pale to bright fuchsia, orange, pale and golden yellows, pale blue, light and dark purples, peach, cream, white, the dramatic and rare black (actually a very deep red), and several varieties that feature one of the above colours kissing the tips of petals in another shade. The blooms of the rose come in many different shapes and sizes, with larger varieties such as the Hybrid Tea being popular in cut arrangements, and the smaller spray roses being attractive for use in boutonnieres and corsages.
The rose has origin myths dating back to the Greeks and Romans, closely identified with Aphrodite and Venus, the respective Greek and Roman goddesses of love. The rose is among a few special flowers that are significant in both ancient, pagan religions and modern ones as well. For Christianity, the rose is a symbol with meaning vested in both Christ and the Virgin Mary. In Islam, the white rose is associated with the prophet Mohammed. Now, the rose enjoys the stately position of being the national flower for both England and the United States.
It is difficult to conceive of an occasion or sentiment for which an appropriate rose could not be found. The rose itself does not have a specific significance; rather, each of its shades carries a meaning of its own, making it a fantastically versatile flower. The classic red rose signifies love, a perfect choice for a romantic occasion; the elegance of the white rose, for innocence and silence, makes it a beautiful inclusion of centrepiece in a funeral or sympathy arrangement. With yellow for friendship, pink for happiness, orange for fascination and desire, and lavender for enchantment, a bouquet in any or all of these colours would be a special gift for a birthday, or a lovely Get Well Soon sentiment. As an added bonus, the rose is an excellent candidate to dry and preserve, extending the recipient’s enjoyment of the flower for years to come.
© Flowers Online.org.uk 2007.
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