It was roses, roses, all the way.

-Robert Browning

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The Greek poet Sappho called it “the Queen of Flowers”.� And whether presented as a single, long-stemmed bloom or an armful of luxurious blossoms, the Rose (from the Latin rosa), more than any other flower, has been the symbol of romantic love.

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The rose has a long and plush history. Almost every civilization has tended and cherished this heroine of flowers. Roses have been found in Egyptian tombs. Garlands of roses can be seen tumbling down from frescoes painted during the golden age of the Minoan culture on Crete. It was with the intoxicating perfume of roses that Cleopatra had her sails drenched; fragrantly announcing her arrival at ports of call along the Nile. Prized for their opulent fragrance, the Crusaders, in 1254, carted Damask roses back to Europe (from Damascus – hence the name). And, there is nothing like the wild scent of Damasks to set the mood for romance.�

Beds of roses
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Greeks and Romans adored the rose and they recounted many romantic tales about this heartfelt flower. In one Greek myth, Cupid charged off to Mount Olympus carrying a vessel of nectar for the council of the gods to drink. Before reaching his destination, however, he stumbled, and the spilled nectar transformed into a valley of breathtaking roses. Cleopatra is noted for commissioning a plush carpet of rose petals (eighteen inches deep, to be exact) to help make the arrival of her Roman paramour Mark Anthony more rapturous. In addition, her couches were lushly strewn with rose petals. We can only imagine the romantic interludes that arose from this tantalizing sea of petals.�

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And the allure of roses didn’t stop there. Apparently, the early Romans ate, drank, and gossiped while engulfed in roses. Anything said under a rose garland or chaplet (worn on the head) was sub rosa – A Latin expression meaning “under the rose,” to be kept secret. The Roman Emperor Nero had thousands of rose petals scattered in his palace in lieu of carpets. For an added effect, showers of rose water jetted down from his picturesque ceilings (that had been rigged to open up and rain petals upon his guests) and the heady aroma of roses was blown into bed chambers though hidden silver tubes. Even a rose holiday was created - Rosalia – in early May, to celebrate the flower of passion.

Floral languages
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After the fall of the Roman Empire, rose cultivation was continued by Benedictine monks, and the once fervent flower gradually became a chaste symbol. A rosary was made using 165 dried rose petals. Then, in the early seventeenth century, a lyrical language of flowers blossomed in Constantinople. This Persian floral poetry was introduced to Europe by Charles II, while a Turkish variaton was presented to England by a certain� Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1716). The floral language flourished and it soon spread to France where it was translated into a lovers’ handbook of 800 flower passages known as Le Language des Fleurs.�Lovers typically exchanged the fragrant verses along with a flower or bouquet.�According to the manual, a red rose signified beauty, while red and white roses together meant unity. White roses cautioned innocence. Yellow roses revealed a jealous heart. Over time, the symbolism grew in intricacy with combinations. For example, a rose in full bloom draped over two buds implied a secret laision. By removing the thorns from a rosebud stalk you were saying: ” I encourage this courtship.” Upon deleafing a rose you signified, “There’s no future to hope for.” Should you desire to express love and fascination with a love interest today, a red rose is said to symbolize eternal love and passion; a pink rose devotion; a white rose innocence,� and the yellow rose loyalty and friendship.

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Cultivating love
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In the nineteenth century, the rose as a symbol of romance was sealed when the French Empress Josephine (Napoleon’s wife) cultivated an extensive collection of roses at her estate in Marseilles. Renowned for its exquisite blooms, the garden became the stage for illustrator Pierre Joseph Redoute’s botanical designs. And, in 1824, one of the finest records of botanical illustrations was rendered in his water color entitled Les Rose. Around this same time Victorian suitors were busy revealing their passions via gifts of roses – different hues, varieties, and arrangements were used to express numerous love messages. �

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Small wonder this heroine of flowers has thrived as the traditional flower of St. Valentine’s Day. (It is estimated that over 200 million roses are exchanged worldwide on this one day alone.) And, even after its colorful, heart-throbbing history, the red rose reigns as the quintessential flower of love. �

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