Having existed for over thirty-two million years, the rose is one of the most enduring and powerful symbols in the flower kingdom. Beloved all over the world and indeed symbolising love, it has strong associations with Valentine’s Day and weddings. It’s also a hardy perennial plant, giving beautiful blooms summer after summer for many years.
There are more than a hundred varieties of the genus Rosa, growing naturally in four continents, though most come from Asia. Hybrids, garden roses, climbers, miniatures and tea roses … the choice is endless. People have cultivated so many different colours, that you can find a rose for almost every room, garden arrangement and occasion. From vivid oranges to a black rose, almost every hue and shade can be found according to your taste.
Wherever you read, watch or listen, you’ll soon come across a rose. Film, poetry, songs and literature as far back as Chaucer have swooned over roses and associated them with love. It can also mean hope, purity, happiness, mourning and friendship. So before giving, it’s interesting to know the significance we have given, in history and folklore, to the many different colours. Then, you’re able to choose the most appropriate for your beloved, your wedding or other occasion. The language of flowers is absolutely fascinating.
My love is like a red, red rose. Red roses are amongst the most romantic, as the poets have told us for centuries. It’s all about love. Choose bright reds to express your love and your passion, and count wisely too. One red rose shows, yes, love. Two, especially when tied, symbolises engagement. A dozen show your gratitude. 25 is to celebrate, while a lavish 50 show utter, unconditional love (and a big wallet). Be careful though: a single withering red rose suggests that love is dying. On that theme, a single stem is also often place on a coffin or gravestone as a sign of mourning.
White roses are commonly used in two very different circumstances – weddings and funerals. For both occasions, they signify purity and innocence. It’s all about reverence and sincerity, and a pure white rose is classic and stunning. Of course they range all the way through creams, with varieties including Akito, Eskimo, Vendella and Bianko.
These first two colours together have a big place in British history, too. The War of the Roses, between the house of Lancaster (red) and York (white) made the rose even more important. As the national flower of England, Shakespeare raved about it in the sonnets, and we often talk about an English rose for a quintessentially beautiful girl.
Golden or yellow roses are all about friendship and joy. Pretty and light, they are bound to bring a smile to any face and are free of too many romantic associations, so you can give them to friends without them getting the wrong idea! They’re an ideal gift for a new mother or to students graduating. Long gone are the days when anything yellow was associated with envy – you can give in confidence. And don’t forget the Yellow Rose of Texas …
Maybe a rose by any other name WOULD smell as sweet. But this little beauty is the arguably the most important to people in the entire kingdom of flowers. They have been revered, loved and given since ancient civilisations came into being. The Persians, the Romans, the Greeks, the Chinese … all the way through medieval times and the tudors in Britain … this is an enduring symbol positively brimming with meaning. Give them wisely, to those you love and care about.
Read more beautiful stories of flowers at http://www.sendflowers.org.uk/blog/
