ROSES OF PASSION

 

Red roses have emerged in Greek and Roman mythology for ages, whether be myths from the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite, or Roman goddess Venus. The red rose was the chosen flower of Venus, the Romans' goddess of love; it was also sacred to Isis, Venus' Egyptian counterpart. In Greek mythology, it is said that rose bushes grew from the ground through Aphrodite’s tears and the blood of her lover, Adonis.

In Roman times, the wealthiest citizens—as well as gods and goddesses—bathed in water filled with rose petals, which provide an amazing aroma and skin-softening benefits (www.scentandviolet.com)

The tradition of giving Valentine’s Day flowers dates back to the late 17th century, during the reign of King Charles II of Sweden. During a trip to Persia, King Charles II was exposed to a new art—the language of flowers. 

(Credits: Cants of Colchester - https://www.cantsroses.co.uk)

ROSE MYTHS

The rose story of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, trying to save her lover stains white roses with her blood or the blood of her lover stains the roses. According to Greek poet Anacreon, the white rose first appeared during the birth of Aphrodite, and it's from her blood that roses later became red. The goddess discovered a plot against her lover, Adonis, who would be mauled by a boar while hunting. She eventually cuts her foot on some rose thorns as she rushed to warn him, specks of blood splashed the white petals and stained them red. Unfortunately, Aphrodite gets to her lover Adonis too late to warn him and he dies from his wounds.

Another legend implies the handing of roses was used as a form of secrecy or confidentiality. According to historians, Aphrodite's son Eros — whom she named the flowers after by rearranging just one letter of his name — gifted a rose to Harpocrates, the god of silence, to bribe his secrecy over Aphrodite's ongoing affairs.

This myth of secrecy/confidentiality became so popular in Ancient Rome that homeowners painted roses on their ceilings as an indicator that --"what’s said in this house stays in this house--." Any guests that arrived at the house were expected to use discretion on anything uttered "sub rosa," Latin for "under the rose."

CHRISTIAN SAINT NAMED --ST. VALENTINE--

The Christian martyr, St. Valentine, has become the most known version of the origin of love and a day called Valentine’s Day. This legend has it that the Roman priest married couples in secret Christian weddings so the men could leave the army. St. Valentine was sentenced to death — but before he died, he wrote a note to the jailor’s daughter that said, “From your Valentine.”

(Credits: www.discovermagazine.com)

ROSES IN SHAKESPEARE LITERATURE

William Shakespeare, cited the romantic nature of red roses in his writings. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare said, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

(Credits: Rome and Juliet by William Shakespeare)

COLOUR SYMBOLISM

Red roses are a symbol of love and passion.

Yellow roses symbolize friendship.

Orange roses symbolize desire.

Pink roses symbolize gratitude.

*** The representation of roses and love is clear, love can be beautiful and painful, like a red rose and its thorns! ***

*** Don't wait to receive roses from a lover or partner, buy yourself the roses YOU like and YOU enjoy! ***

(www.discovermagazine.com)