ROSES: THE EPITOME OF LOVE AND PURITY

Bunch of roses kept on a table

“But he who dares not grasp the thorn should never crave the rose.”

― Anne Brontë

Among the ambiance of mass crowding and busyness everywhere, we tend to live our life through stress, pressure, anxiety, workload, etc.

We always run for making ourselves stable, maybe sometimes we forget to discover the emotions of life such as love, purity or maybe sometimes we fail to crave for them.

But whatever the situation might be, we forget to appreciate icons of beauty and love that represent them always around us, Just like Roses! What a sign of love and purity the rose represent us!

Flowers, be it any, have always been aesthetic as well as cardinal interpretations of emotions. Emotions such as purity and love have been always associated with flowers, mainly “Roses”.

The relationship between love and rose roots very back in time, marking the eternal connection between emotions of warmth, grace, love, and purity. Folklores and tales of love spread across communities and regions across the world have always seen the association of rose and love, be it be any tale like “Bonnie and Clyde”, “ Shahjahan and Mumtaj mahal”, or “Laila and Majnu”,  the clear representation of rose symbolizing love has been depicted and crafted through various beautiful sources.

ROSES: HISTORICAL AND BOTANICAL ORIGINS

Although engraving a deep connection of love and purity between rose and love, it’s fascinating to learn about the historical and botanical origins of this passionate flower.

As mesmerizing it’s to learn the deep association of how rose symbolize love but at the same time, it’s fascinatingly wonderful to realize the beauty of this special flower by understanding its morphology and impeccable features, that make people deeply associated with them.

The Rose is a woody, perennial plant that traces its botanical and geological origins, as old as 35 million years old.

Rose comes under the genus “rosa” and belongs to the botanical family of “Rosaceae”. Botanical reports suggest the presence of over 300 hundred species and thousands of cultivars of the flower.

The cultivation history of roses states to be 5000 years old, as the oldest garden cultivation began most probably in China. History also points to the evidence that suggests that, during the influential Roman empire, they were grown extensively in the Middle East. Priorly at that time, they were used as confetti in celebrations, for their medicinal properties and hugely for the magic of the perfumes it creates.

• Roses are erect, climbing, or trailing shrub class of plants.

• The stems of which are usually thwarted and surrounded with protrusions of various shapes and sizes, commonly called thorns.

• Spreading a delightful fragrance, which varies according to the types and climatic influences of the region.

• Petal colour varies along with a wide range. Spreading from shades of white, through various tones of yellow and even to tinges of pink to dark crimson and maroon.

• The flowers of wild rose usually bear five petals, whereas the flowers of cultivated roses represent themselves as, petals in sets of multiple.

HISTORY OF LOVE AND ROSES

Although, roses have been generally associated with love, affection, and purity; but the fact that roses symbolize love began a long time ago and can be seen through various cultures, events, and occurrences through history.

The history of love and roses has always been a topic of great impact, and the portrayal of love and purity through the roses has been observed throughout centuries. Roses have also been associated with various literature of love, romance, and affection.

Including the significance of, how roses symbolize love has also played a major part in various use of its abstract element in various well famous stories, depictions of passionate love, and most importantly the emergence of rose and love quotes.

Some histo-cultural  examples  associating rose and love:

• Aphrodite & Greek Mythology: One of the first recorded depictions of rose symbolizing love can be observed from ancient Greek Mythology.
• It depicts that Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, had walked through a garden of rose that had been shot with an arrow by the greek god, Cupid.
• The rose had armoured thorns thanks to Cupid’s arrow. Interestingly, the goddess Aphrodite pricked her thorn on a rose and her blood turned rose into a red colour.
• A fascinating story like this might be the reason, that intrigued people to consider roses to be romanticized.

• Roman Mythology: Roses were well-known to be symbolized as desire and secrecy in Roman mythology. They held a significant place in their daily life and culture. Romans would fascinatingly keep rose in their bedrooms to signify the beauty, love, and purity that Venus was known for. Their pleasant-smelling fragrance graced many Roman courtiers and rooms. They also felt embraced, unearthing the deep love and desire that,  the roses withheld.

• Christianity & Roses: In the Christian religion and culture, the rose holds a spiritual significance, and was considered a symbol for their holy Virgin Mary. I Christian mythology, She is often portrayed as the “rose without thorns”. Even the word rosary is said to be originated from rose and is portrayed by a garland of roses. Rose have always been known to symbolize purity and faith in the Christian religion and have been seen popping up various times throughout history and its cultures.

• Red Roses in the Modern World:  Famous poet and architect of English literature,  William Shakespeare famously depicted roses in his fascinating poetry. The story of Romeo and Juliet is regarded as a fascinating metaphor for the depiction of romance, beauty, love, and purity through its aesthetical portrayal.

• Arabs: For the ancient Arabs, red Rose also empowered love and purity. They also yielded the thought that this specific type of flower yielded a real effect on their heart. Roses and the association of rose and love, and the use of the abstract aesthetical and spiritual element of the flower in their stories and tales have been reflected frequently.

• Victorian-Age Beliefs: Flowers were very eminent to the Victorians. They represented flowers to express their feelings of love and purity. They presented flowers, especially rose as a gift to celebrants on ceremonies and occasions. They were deeply obsessed and connected themselves closely to the language of flowers, especially concerning those constituting the essence of romance and love.

  

Roses and love have always been living on the same page throughout history and even have achieved a much soulful significance with the development of human life and emotions. Their grace on the topic of love and purity has helped rose and love associate with each other throughout time.

MODERN AGE SYMBOLISM OF LOVE AND ROSES

It’s the embodiment and histo-cultural traditions that associate rose and love! These stunning gifts of nature are the aesthetical embodiment of the sentiments of romance, affection, love, and purity in their raw essence.

From the depictions and vintages of literary classics to modern cinema blockbusters, poets, writers, creative producers, and directors have mesmerizingly portrayed the romantic significance of the Red Rose and various types of rose depicting their cardinal influence on the infliction of human emotions through their creative and artistic work.

Roses and love quotes:

Roses have always played a vital role in romanticizing the essence of passionate love and purity.

Their conceptual use of abstract beauty in modern-day poetries, stories, the depiction of how rose symbolize love through the fascinating history of roses and love, inspire and fascinate people fantastically.

These romantic rose and love quotes and the understanding of the connection of roses as a symbol of love will make us engrave more about the feelings of our special person.

The rose has long been the embodiment of love and is often given as a wonderful present to show how much care and respect we feel for our special person.

In the modern age, love and roses continue to hold significant symbolism, often intertwining with traditional meanings while evolving to reflect contemporary values and expressions of affection. Here are some of the modern interpretations of love and roses:

1. **Romantic Love**: Roses are still widely associated with romantic love. Red roses, in particular, convey deep passion and desire. Couples often exchange red roses on special occasions such as anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, and to express their love throughout the year.

2. **Expression of Affection**: Roses are a universal symbol of affection, and their exchange is a common way to express emotions. People send roses to friends, family, or anyone they care about to convey warmth, friendship, and appreciation.

3. **Elegance and Beauty**: Roses are admired for their natural beauty and grace. In modern times, they represent a love for elegance and aesthetics. People often incorporate roses into various forms of art, from tattoos to fashion design, to symbolize their appreciation of beauty.

4. **Romantic Gestures**: Giving a bouquet of rose remains a popular way to make a romantic gesture. The act of gifting roses is seen as a timeless expression of love and thoughtfulness.

5. **Eternal Love**: The concept of everlasting love is often symbolized by roses, especially in the context of long-term relationships and marriages. White roses, in particular, are used to convey purity and lasting commitment.

6. **Self-Love and Empowerment**: Rose can also symbolize self-love and empowerment. In modern times, individuals use rose to remind themselves of their self-worth and the importance of self-care.

7. **Variety of Colors**: The variety of rose colors available today allows for more nuanced symbolism. For instance, yellow rose can represent friendship and joy, while pink roses can symbolize gratitude and admiration.

8. **Digital Love**: In the age of technology, rose and flower emojis are commonly used to express love and affection through text messages and social media, making the rose a symbol of digital love and communication.

9. **Sustainability and Environmental Awareness**: As environmental concerns grow, the symbolism of roses can extend to the appreciation of nature and the need to protect it. This highlights the importance of sustainable farming and environmentally friendly practices in the flower industry.

10. **Personal Interpretation**: In the modern age, the interpretation of rose and love can be highly personal. People often attach their unique meanings to rose, making them a versatile symbol that can represent various forms of love, care, and connection.

In summary, love and rose continue to be intertwined in the modern age, representing a range of emotions and values, from romantic love and beauty to friendship, self-love, and environmental consciousness. The symbolism of rose remains dynamic, adapting to the ever-changing expressions of love and affection in contemporary society.

• “True love is like little rose, sweet, fragrant in small doses.”

 – Ana Claudia Antunes

• “ The Love and  red rose can’t be shrouded away.” 

– Thomas Holcroft

• “ love is the rose that blooms eternal.”

                                              – Rumi

• “I’d rather prefer  having roses with me than  the diamonds on my neck.” 

                                                                                                 – Emma Goldman

–by Tathagata Bhattacharyya

Content Writer(Erakina by RTMN)

28.10.2023