Significance of the Rose in Human Societies around the World. The origin, kinds and meaning of roses - Research Paper Example

English 16 November Significance of the Rose in Human Societies around the World Introduction Probably one of the most popular garden flower in almost all countries in the world, the rose is also deemed to be the most beautiful flower, commonly referred to as the ‘Queen of Flowers’ (Board 638). For over thousands of years, the rose has been used to signify innocence, adoration, and most essentially, love in different societies. It is one of the most important commercially grown flowers around the globe with tons of rose flowers being imported and exported around the world for various reasons, key among them for aesthetic purposes (Board 638). Another use of the rose flower in the contemporary society is the abstraction of rose essence, which is used in the making of beauty soaps, lotions, and beauty treatments. Another product derived from rose flowers is rose water, which is used in artificial additives to create a rose flavor in confectionaries and various foods from around the globe (Board 638). 2. The origin of roses In retrospect, there are reportedly over 120 different species of the rose flower, which are thought to have existed long before humankind. According to Board, in Oregon and Colorado in the United States, anthropologists reportedly located fossils approximated to be close to thirty million years of age (638). The University of Illinois extension states that the gardening of roses is thought to have started roughly 5,000 years ago (illinois.edu). While the different species of rose flowers are scattered across the earth’s northern hemisphere from America to Africa, their farming is thought to have originated in China. Roses were widely cultivated in the Middle East during the Roman era, and were used for aesthetic purposes, for ancient treatments, and as a fragrance (University of Illinois Extension illinois.edu). The art of rose flower gardening was perfected in Rome according to the University of Illinois Extension, where the noble class created extensive rose gardens for the public, particularly in the south (illinois.edu). 3. Different Kinds of Roses and their Different Meanings Different types of roses are culturally associated with different meanings. According to Shannon, red roses are used in human societies to signify love for each other, as well as respect (ask.com). They are mostly exchanged during days and occasions associated with passion such as Valentine’s Day, wedding anniversaries for loved ones and other occasions attributed with romance. They are known all over the world to espouse true love. White roses on the other hand are used as an embodiment of spirituality and religion. Straight from traditions, white roses are associated with religion and are deemed as signifying innocence, purity, admiration, and modesty (Shannon, ask.com). White roses have also been accepted over time to indicate loyalty, honesty, and awe, all of which are essential attributes in enduring friendships (Shannon, ask.com). Yellow roses are culturally deemed to be embodiments of friendship and a nature of amiability. Over time, this outlook of yellow roses has grown to include a perception of the flowers signifying the happiness and bliss that is present among friends (Shannon, ask.com). While in the Victorian times, it was regarded as a representation of jealousy, in the contemporary society, yellow roses are exchanged between friends on special occasions such as baby showers, graduation, birthdays, and work related events (Shannon, ask.com). Pink roses are deemed to symbolize femininity, elegance, tenderness, perfection, and cultural fulfillment in various human societies (Shannon, ask.com). These flowers bear a further meaning that is expressed in the deepness of the hue of the flower. A rose flower that is a deep pink for example is an emblem of thanksgiving and admiration; on the other hand, a pale pink colored rose flower suggests sympathy, tenderness, grace, and elegance (Shannon, ask.com). Orange roses bear the attribute of warmth and enthusiasm towards life and other people. They are symbols of a burning desire as well as a demonstration of a strong attraction towards a person. Also used to symbolize a great sense of admiration, they are considered to be ideal for exchange in the onset of a romantic affair between two people (Shannon, ask.com). Lastly, purple roses are a type of rose flower with strong cultural connotations. Traditionally denoted as symbols of spirituality and mystical powers, purple roses are in the contemporary society seen as embodiments of the enigmatic nature of love. This makes them ideal for exchange between lovers during their first Valentine’s Day (Shannon, ask.com). 4. Significance of the Rose 4.1. As a symbol of love According to ‘Tete A Tete with Art’, in ancient Greek society, roses were often linked with the ancient mythology surrounding the Greek god Adonis, who was said to be the lover of goddess Aphrodite (artsymbol.com). Greek mythology recounted that it was from the blood of the Roman Venus, Aphrodite, where the first red roses grew. As a result, ‘Tete A Tete with Art’ asserts that this could be a pointer as to why red roses became associated with love in eternal form (artsymbol.com). Additionally, ‘Tete A Tete with Art’ reckons that over the years, the rose flower has been increasingly identified as a representation of Godly love, and the earth’s love among Christian societies (artsymbol.com). Over time, the red roses began to be associated with love and faithfulness in marriage, and with the growth of the culture of exchanging rose flowers as presents to signify love and care, the red rose gradually became the most widely associated with love (Green proflowers.com). These cultural perceptions have been carried forward to the contemporary society, making the rose flower associated with love in nearly all cultures of the world. 4.2. For decoration During ancient times, many cultures used red roses as adornments during ceremonies of marriage, often using them as decorations on ancient wedding regalia (Green proflowers.com). Roses also make very beautiful hedges in homes. 4.3. As a product of trade Roses play a fundamental role in the economies of various nations. The floral industries in these nations trade the product thus contributing to their Gross Domestic Products. Examples of nations that grow roses for economic purposes include the United States, Ecuador, and Columbia. Once sold, roses can be used in whole as gifts to loved ones or manufactured to remove the rose essence in them, which is used in the making of beauty soaps, lotions, and beauty treatments. Another product derived from rose flowers is rose water, which is used in artificial additives to create a rose flavor in confectionaries and various foods from around the globe. 4.4. As a fragrant Some people plant roses in their gardens for the beautiful fragrance that they produce. Homes with roses usually have this sweet scent that is very welcoming. Different Meanings of Roses in Different Countries According to the University of Illinois extension, in England, the rose flower signified the different parties battling for control of England in the fifteenth century (illinois.edu). For example, the York was embodied by the white colored rose flower, while the Lancaster was embodied by the red colored rose flower. In the contemporary society, the rose has been espoused as England’s national flower (Sheela 247). In France, rose flowers were used mainly for aesthetic purposes with the royal class in the territory even using rose water for trade as a legal tender or a form of currency (University of Illinois Extension illinois.edu). Josephine de Beauharnais, who was the wife of the French leader Napoleon Bonaparte created a large assortment of rose flowers, which were later used by French artist Pierre Joseph Redoute as an inspiration for works of ‘botanical illustration’ (University of Illinois Extension illinois.edu). In India, roses are used both for aesthetic purposes and for religious practices. Rose flowers are used as adornments for the ‘ashramas’ of the saints in the religion of Hinduism. Additionally, roses are also used in the embellishment of gardens belonging to the wealthy people in India (Sheela 247). In Scotland, roses are used for symbolic reasons attached to human relations, such as to denote relationships. An example is the foreshadowing of a budding romantic relationship (Shannon ask.com). This quality was particularly associated with the white rose which is seen as a sign of loyalty, honesty, and awe, all of which are essential attributes of a freshly flourishing romantic love (Shannon ask.com). Conclusion Roses are not only the most beautiful flowers; they are also among the most popular flowers around the world. They have been used for many years and in different parts of the world to signify a number of things. There are different types of roses and each type has a different meaning; for example red roses signify love, white roses signify innocence, purity, admiration, and modesty, yellow roses signify friendship, pink roses signify femininity, elegance, tenderness, and perfection, while orange roses signify warmth, enthusiasm, and admiration. The great association of roses with love originated from the ancient Greek society and has existed for thousands of years. Roses also have different meanings in different countries. Works Cited Board, Niir. Cultivation of Fruits, Vegetables and Floriculture. New Delhi: National Institute of Industrial Research, 2004. Print. Green, Samantha. “History and Meaning behind Red Roses.” proflowers.com. 23 August 2012. Web. 16 November 2013. Shannon, C. “The Cultural Meanings of Different Rose Colors.” ask.com. 13 May 2011. Web. 16 November 2013. Sheela, V. L. Flowers for Trade: Vol.10. Horticulture Science Series. New Delhi: New India Publishing Agency, 2008. Print. Tete A Tete with Art. “Art Symbol-Rose.” artsymbol.com. n.d. Web. 16 November 2013. University of Illinois Extension. “The History of Roses.” illinois.edu. n.d. Web. 16 November 2013. UuuBottom of Form Read More