ROSES
The history, mythology, cultivation , care and color meanings of the rose flower
The Rose in Mythology:
According to Greek mythology, the rose was created by Chloris, the goddess of flowers. She found the body of a dead nymph lying on the grass in a forest while she was traversing through it. Chloris was absolutely devastated at the sight and her heart was heavy with grief. She asked Aphrodite to assist her. Chloris made the rose while Aphrodite, the goddess of love gave the flower its incredible beauty. The rose was blessed with its sweet scent by the god of wine, Dionysus. He added a touch of fragrant nectar to the flower. Charm, brightness and joy were added by the three Graces. The West Wind, Zephyr then blew all of the clouds from the sky. Apollo, who is the god of the sun shined down on the new creation causing the rose to bloom in its glory.
Aphrodite, the goddess of love is credited with the creation of the spectacular red rose, according to Greek mythology. Adonis, the god of beauty and Aphrodite were lovers. Adonis was attacked and mauled by a wild boar while in the forest. Aphrodite heard the attack and screams of her lover. She bolted through a thicket of roses only to find her beloved Adonis dead. Aphrodite’s blood and tears were believed to have stained the roses red.
Roses during Roman Times
The Romans had great affection for the rose flower. Emperor Nero showered his guests with rose petals to greet them upon their arrival to his abode. The tables at celebratory feasts were adorned with roses as well. Garland was made by using fig branches and ivy intertwined with rose flowers for decorative purposes. For those special occasions when crowns were a necessity, it was only permissible for them to be made with ivy, parsley, myrtle and roses.
In Roman times, there weren’t any funeral directors to take care of the person’s remains. Back then, the family had to prepare the body for burial. The body was bathed with rose water. This was made by the women by fermenting rose petals with clear water and leaving it in the sun for several days. Rose water was also used as a perfume, which is why households always had it on hand. After the body was washed, it was wrapped in a shroud and brought to the tomb. The tomb was then decorated with roses inside and the tomb was then closed. The exterior of the tomb was then decorated with roses as well. Marc Antony actually requested that his tomb be decorated with rose flowers.
Roses and Christianity
Roses in Christianity have great significance. In Catholicism, the white rose represents the beauty, purity and chastity of the Virgin Mary. According to the Bible, Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ. Catholics use prayer beads called a rosary when they pray. The word rosary means a wreath of roses. When the rosary is said, the Catholic is praying that the Blessed Virgin, Mary intervenes on their behalf. Mary is also often pictured wearing a crown of roses.
Red roses are the symbol of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Stations of the Cross and that decade of the rosary as well. The Sorrowful Mysteries are the times when Christ was suffering and dying on the cross. In Christianity, those that crucified Jesus Christ placed a crown of thorns on his head. It is believed that the thorns were from that of a rose bush.
Rose’s Cultivation
After the end of the eighteenth century, roses were imported from China to Europe. One such type was called the tea rose. Naturally, it didn’t smell of tea but may have gotten its name from being shipped along with the tea from China. These fragile roses couldn’t be grown outdoors until they were bred with a Hybrid Perpetual. Later, they became the mother to all of our many varieties of roses today. The first popular Hybrid rose was a pink rose. It was bred in France and called La France.
Caring for Roses
Generally, roses prefer to be in a sunny location. The soil must be well-drained. It is best to purchase two year old field grown plants. It is essential that the hole has been dug six inches deeper and wider than the root ball. This allows the plant’s roots to easily stretch in the soil. Cover the roots and water thoroughly. Be sure to add some plant food that is specifically formulated for roses. It is best to mulch around the plant to reduce weed growth.
Pruning should be done in early spring before new growth begins to occur. Carefully inspect the plant for broken, damaged or dead branches. Using very sharp pruning shears, snip the branches below the damaged area. When trimming dead branches, cut them back until you see green inside of the branch. This tells you that the section is alive.
The Meaning of Rose Colors
Roses are one of the most beautiful gifts you can give. They are beloved and cherished, for their elegance, beauty and meanings. Roses are often treasured by the people who receive them as gifts. The recipient often presses them in books to keep as mementos throughout their life. If you truly love giving roses but want to be sure that you are giving the right color of roses to the right person, this is the place for you to find out. It really is important to know that the color rose you send tells all about your intentions.
Traditionally, the red rose has been and still is the symbol of romance and love. It’s a simple and thoughtful way to say “I love you” without having to mutter a word. Red roses have always been prized for their beauty and perfection and show that the giver cares very deeply for the one receiving the rose flowers.
The gift of pink roses shows the recipient that the giver admires and appreciates them. It is also a symbol of elegance and gracefulness. Pink roses are the most popular roses given to performers after their presentation. They are also given by people in a relationship before they are ready to graduate to the red roses. For the most part, pink roses show that the giver really likes having the recipient around.
Ayellow rose represents joyfulness and friendship. This beautiful flower just emanates with the warmth of the sun and that’s what it truly symbolizes. The gift of a yellow rose shows the warmth that you have for your friend.
The white rose represents purity, chastity and innocence but it also symbolizes reverence and honor. Although it is mainly used for wedding bouquets, it is also used at funerals for a memorial basket or blanket. In the past, mothers that wore corsages on Mother’s Day would wear red ones if their own mother was alive or white ones if their mother had passed away.
A gift of orange roses shows that the giver is passionate about the recipient. It not only represents passion but energy and excitement as well. The orange rose is the embodiment of passion before a true commitment has been made.
Peach roses are nearly foolproof gifts as they signify new friendships and relationships. They are also politically correct to send to coworkers and acquaintances. They represent warmth and caring in a platonic way.
The lavender rose is beautiful and magical in its own right. It represents anything mysterious such as love at first sight. This is one of the most spectacular roses to give as they are not frequently available at your local florist. The magical part is that the giver actually took the time to find these gorgeous blooms.
The gift of a combination of red and white roses signifies unity and togetherness. This combo is appropriate for anniversaries, engagements and new partnerships. The mixture of the two colors is truly beautiful.
An arrangement of pink and white rosebuds signifies the combination of innocence and grace. This mixture is perfect for a little girl or mother-to-be that is expecting a daughter. The combination of color is very delicate and represents how precious the recipient is to the giver.
White rosebuds are symbols of purity, newness and innocence. These are usually sent as a gift to a bride or to welcome a newborn baby. In some religions, white rosebuds are placed on the deceased’s casket to signify their new life in the next realm.
The combination of yellow and red roses represents a never ending love for each other. The only appropriate time to send this mixture of colors is when the sender is in a long term relationship with the recipient. The only exception to that rule is if the giver is sending them to a couple that has been together for a long time.
Sending roses that are yellow with red tips signifies either friendship or that the sender is starting to fall in love. They are perfect when proposing marriage to your potential spouse.
Coral roses are beautiful and signify desire. They are great to send as a special surprise to your spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend.
By using the information above, you can easily tell which colors to give to what people. Roses are a favorite to give at baby showers, wedding showers, weddings, or to a couple on their anniversary. Popular holidays that people love giving roses on include Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and for birthdays or to mark any special event. Give the gift of love that brings meaning to any occasion. Roses do this perfectly and they will be appreciated and remembered for years to come.
The Use of Roses in Medicine
Today, rose hips are used for a variety of reasons but years ago, they were known to help prevent scurvy. Rose oil was believed to be a cure for ear troubles. Rose tea was said to cure headaches and rose water was used to cure all kinds of stomach ailments. The rose flower was grown more for medicinal purposes than for the beauty in ancient times. Today, rose hips are used as a natural anti-inflammatory and are used to treat arthritis. There are some people that use rose hips to help with cataracts however, there is no proof that this helps the problem in anyway.
Roses have a long history of being a useful and well-loved flower. Each color has a different meaning and tells the recipient of the sender’s intentions without using words. An old adage says that the eyes are the windows to a person’s soul but with roses, the recipient doesn’t need to look into your eyes to see what you truly are saying.
Simple, soft and sophisticated yet, intriguing and masterful describes
The rose gift collection. The perfect unique gift for that very special woman in