The number of rose varieties and hybrids available to the world increases daily. Yet, few of us realize how ancient the rose really is, and I do mean ancient. In fact, the rose is believed to be the very first flower ever cultivated. One of the oldest examples of rose adoration comes from the 5th century in ancient Greece, where evidence shows the cultivation of roses. The Romans propagated roses widely, and with time the flower also appeared symbolically in ancient art. Greek and Roman mythology is riddled with references to the power of roses.
Cleopatra contributed much to the popularity of the rose in Egypt. When she received a visit from her lover, Mark Anthony, she spared no expense to entertain him. Roses, eighteen inches deep, were strewn on the floors of her palace, the couches were covered with rose petals, and the fountains were filled with rose water.
The rose had been sacred to Bacchus, god of wine, as well as to Venus. At banquets for these gods, wealthy Romans would lay on couches spread with rose petals. Around their necks they wore garlands of roses. Chaplets of roses crowned their heads.
Reclining on their beds of roses, they ate, drank, and gossiped. Anything said under the rose - the rose garland hung on the wall or the rose chaplets on their heads - was sub rosa. This Latin expression meaning "under the rose" is still a common way of describing something to be kept secret. But there are other explanations of how the phrase was attributed to secrecy.
Cupid was said to have bribed Harpocrates, the god of silence, with the rose to prevent him from revealing the love affairs carried on by Venus.
One of the oldest examples of rose adoration comes from the 5th century in ancient Greece, where evidence shows the cultivation of roses. The Romans propagated roses widely, and with time the flower also appeared symbolically in ancient art. Greek and Roman mythology is riddled with references to the power of roses. Later, the rose is symbolically associated with the Church.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, rose cultivation was continued by Benedictine monks, and as the excesses of the Romans were forgotten, the flower became the emblem of Christianity.
At the same time, under Islam, in enclosed gardens from the Alhambra in Spain to Kashmir, the rose was celebrated as a symbol of perfection.
When the Moors invaded Spain, they brought many varieties of roses to Europe including the first yellow roses ever to grow on European soil. Chinese gardens from 1000 AD cultivated roses. During the Middle Ages, the rose was used widely for medicinal purposes and it was cultivated for these qualities. Of course, the rose has been used as a perfume base for centuries–– a practice that lives on today.
In later times, traders brought back roses from their travels. Roses bloomed only once a year until 1792, when a new rose was introduced from China that was more prolific. In China, rose oil was considered a precious fragrance for emperors and the most wealthy.
Bashful Victorian suitors presented gifts of roses to reveal their emotions considered too delicate to express aloud. Different colors, varieties, and arrangements of roses were used to convey different messages.
Red - Romantic Love, Passion, Respect, Beauty and Courage
Orange - Fascination, Desire, Enthusiasm
Dark Pink - Thankfulness, Appreciation, Gratitude
Pink - Appreciation, "Thank you", Grace, Gentility, Perfect Happiness, Admiration
Pale Pink - Admiration, Sympathy
Pale Peach - Modesty, Sympathy, Gratitude
Yellow - Joy, Friendship, Gladness, Delight, A Promise of A New Beginning, Welcome Back, Remember Me, I Care, Jealousy
Yellow with Red Tips - Friendship, Falling in Love
White - Innocence & Purity, Secrecy & Silence, Reverence and Humility, Heavenly, Charm, Worthiness
White in a Bridal Bouquets - Happy Love
Purple or a Thornless Rose- Signifies Love at First Sight
Red & White - When given together, Unity
Red Rosebud - Symbol of purity and loveliness
White Rosebud - Symbolic of Girlhood
Single Red Rose - "I Love You"
Rose Recipes
CANDIED ROSE PETALS
Prepare a cooked fondant one day in advance. (Do not make fondant on damp or rainy day as moisture affects the sugar.) Use a clean enamel or agate sauce pan. Put in two cups granulated sugar and 1/2 cup boiling water. Stir only till dissolved! Take out spoon and let sugar and water come to boil. Have ready a soft linen cloth tied to a stick. As the grains of sugar are thrown against the sides of the pan use the swab to wipe them off. (It can be moistened in cold water, but not be dripping.) If sugar grains fall in syrup it will granulate.
When it forms a soft ball it is done; (10 minutes). Remove from fire and lift carefully (if it is handled roughly it will granulate instead of being creamy.) Carefully pour into shallow bowl and cool. Do not jar it. If jellylike film spreads over top, fondant is all right. When fondant is cooled to lukewarm, stir with a spoon until it is stiff paste. Knead it till soft and smooth. Store in bowl and cover with damp cloth. The next day add to one cup of fondant 3 drops of lemon juice and stir over hot water or in a vessel set in a pan of hot water until thoroughly melted. Have fine perfect rose leaves or petals which you have spread out and allowed to become dry but not crisp. Dip each leaf or petal in fondant and take it out carefully with a toothpick and lay on a sheet of waxed paper to dry. Violets and strawberries may also be candied this way.
ROSE HONEY
Cut off white base of sweet-scented rose petals. Mash pound trimmed petals with wooden masher. Boil in one pint water 15 minutes. Strain, add two pounds strained honey. Boil down to thick syrup. Pour into scalded glasses and seal. Pour one thin layer of paraffin and let set. Add a washed rose leaf or two and cover with another thin layer of paraffin.
ROSE HONEY JELLY
Mix three cups strained honey and one cup hot water. Mix thoroughly and bring to quick boil. Add 1/2 bottle fruit pectin immediately. Bring to full rolling boil and remove from stove at once. Skim, add one teaspoon of extract of roses, stir thoroughly and pour quickly into sterilized jelly glasses and seal. Makes five glasses.
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