There are few flowers that are as easily recognised and commonly gifted as the rose. Throughout history, across different cultures and countries, roses have captivated us with their beauty, playing a significant role in not just floristry, but in history, art, and culture too. So, what makes the rose as iconic as it is?
Their History
It’s widely believed that wild roses first appeared more than 35 million years ago; however, it wasn’t until around 5,000 years ago that roses began to be cultivated in the Middle East and China. The Chinese first grew roses for their scent and medicinal properties, eventually facilitating the hybridisation of roses with new varieties. In Ancient Rome, roses were used in celebrations and perfumes, and were considered a symbol of luxury. Ancient Greeks would often associate roses with their goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, leading to the flower becoming a symbol of romance.
But it was the Victorian Era where roses became even more culturally significant. The rise of Floriography (the language of flowers) meant that roses were used to send messages and convey emotions, based on their colour and the arrangement they were in.
Today, roses remain a widely popular choice of flower for gardens, celebrations, and floral arrangements. Apart from its beauty, roses are also used for their rose oil and rose water, which go into perfumes, skincare, and even food. Roses are even used in herbal medicine, with the ability to help treat inflammation, diabetes, depression, stress, aging, and more.
Cultural Significance
With such a rich and lengthy history, it’s not surprising that roses have been important symbols within cultures over the years. Likely the most well-known instance is the association of red roses with love and romance––something most of us will know from Valentine’s celebrations. The tradition of giving red roses on this day actually stems from the popularity of Floriography in Victorian times.
Looking back further, roses were an important national emblem during the Wars of the Roses (1455–1487), with the white rose representing the House of York and a red rose for the House of Lancaster.
In religion, white roses are often associated with the Virgin Mary, representing her purity and grace. Roses are mentioned several times in the Bible in relation to both Mary and Jesus. Even the term ‘rosary’ stems from the Latin ‘rosarium’, which literally translates to ‘rose garden’. Meanwhile, in Sufi traditions a rose can represent divine love and spiritual enlightenment.
Symbolism
As we touched on in Floriography, the meaning of a rose depends on its colour, and the colours of the roses it’s paired with. Here is a simple list you can keep handy for remembering the meaning of each rose:
Red roses – passion, desire, romance, and love
White roses – new beginnings, innocence, purity
Pink roses – admiration, femininity, happiness
Yellow roses – friendship, optimism, happiness
Orange roses – enthusiasm, desire, encouragement
Purple roses – royalty, luxury, majesty, love at first sight
Black roses – farewell, death, mourning
From celebrating the birth of a new baby, to mourning a death, to expressing your feelings to a new partner, there really is a rose for every occasion. These timeless symbols of beauty remain a favourite flower of cultures and people worldwide, and we’re certain they’ll remain so for as long as roses continue to grow.