The acquisition of enduring memories is one of life’s goals that rarely has a spotlight shone upon it. Have you ever wondered how the rose accomplished this feat? Let us dive back in time and look at how the rose became so prominent in our modern-day culture.
The rose has touched many cultures and beliefs over the centuries, personifying the people and stories of the past — from the Virgin Mary to the Wars of the Roses. In ancient Greece the rose was associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love: it was said she protected the body of Hector using the “immortal oil of the rose,” and another story tells that Aphrodite wounded herself on a thorn and stained the rose red with her blood — and that is why the rose is red. The Romans, too, took an interest, using the rose in religious ceremonies where it symbolised the rebirth of humanity. In Christianity, the Virgin Mary was associated with the rose — the rosary being the obvious note — and in the 15th century the Carthusians promoted the rose as a symbol linked to the sacred mysteries. The Iranians have long held the rose in high esteem, believing its beauty provokes the longing song of the nightingale. And in Hindu legend, the goddess Laxmi was created from 1,008 small red rose petals and 108 large roses — which is why the red rose has been likened to romance and love ever since.
In English history, the rose became the symbol of the houses of Lancaster and York in the Wars of the Roses — a civil war that would see the destruction of most male-born claimants, until Henry VII united the Yorkist and Lancastrian claims. The house of York chose the white rose; the house of Lancaster, the red. To this day, the English keep the red rose as a national symbol. For more on what each rose and colour has come to mean, our guide to rose symbolism goes deeper.
The rose’s enduring appeal has made it the unforgettable flower — its sweet scent, its abundant blooms; one cannot help but lust after it. Whatever the occasion, give something unforgettable: a fresh Classic Rose® arrangement for the moment, or preserved Infinite Roses® that keep the memory alive for years — and create one of life’s enduring memories for a loved one.
