History of the Rose - The Queen of Valentine’s for More Than 1,700 Years

Is a rose by any other name still a rose? Would a rose by any other name still smell as sweet? There is so much about the rose that makes it quite the perfect flower. Just so you know, Chloris, the goddess of flowers, crowned the rose as a queen of the flowers, and without a doubt, the flower has all the qualities that would make it just that. But what process gave this flower—more so than any other—such symbolism as the flower of flowers? What made the rose the ultimate flower of love making it ideal for Valentine's?

Well, Plantec, Latin America's largest propagator of rose plants, believes there is a lot more to know about roses and why they are special flowers. In a Valentine's Day special, the breeder shares more on the history of the rose and all its other perfect attributes, because knowing where and why your favorite romantic roses come from is just as important for the biggest celebration of love.

Unwrapping Romance and History With the Queen of Flowers

What better represents passion, than a red rose, innocence than a white rose, tenderness than a pink rose? Roses have been ingrained in human history for millennia. They are believed to have originated around 35 million years ago, with fossil evidence indicating their presence in the northern hemisphere during the Oligocene epoch.

The first known cultivation of roses dates back to approximately 3,000 BCE in China, where they were valued not only for their beauty but also for their use in perfumes and medicinal applications. By 500 BCE, Confucius noted that roses were cultivated in the Imperial Gardens, highlighting their significance in ancient Chinese culture. Throughout history, roses have been intertwined with different civilizations. During the era of the Greek Pantheon—according to their mythology—it was Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty, desire, fertility, passion, and love who gave the rose its name by rearranging the letters of the name of her son Eros. Roses were, also, used in antiquity for celebrations, burials, medicine, and as a natural perfume.

The ancient Egyptians, also, used rose petals for bathing and decoration, while the Romans cultivated them extensively for public gardens and as symbols of luxury. Cleopatra, it is believed, famously adorned her chambers with roses, further solidifying their association with beauty and love. In medieval Europe, the rose continued to flourish, particularly with the introduction of new species brought back by Crusaders from the Middle East. The damask rose (Rosa damascena), known for its fragrance, became particularly popular during this period. By the 15th century, roses were so cherished that they were even used as currency in some regions. And their spread, also, continued across the world.

Roses' Symbolism and Cultural Significance

The rose's association with love is deeply rooted in mythology. According to Greek lore, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, created the red rose from her blood after being pricked by a thorn from a white rose. She, the legend continues, presented the rose to her son Eros, the god of love. This myth gives the red rose powerful symbolism related to passion and desire, and thus the rose—as expected—became a symbol of love, passion, and desire. Eros, then, gave the rose to Harpocrates, the god of silence, to induce him not to gossip about his mother's amorous indiscretions. Thus the rose also became the emblem of silence and secrecy. Thus, in the Middle Ages, a rose was suspended from the ceiling of a council chamber, pledging all present to secrecy—or sub rosa, 'under the rose.'

Elsewhere in the history of roses in the Egyptian civilization, rose petals have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs and paintings. Cleopatra VII, as earlier noted, used red roses during her public appearances and enjoyed having their aroma follow her wherever she went. Still, yet, many more Egyptian rose references originated during Alexander the Great's reign, which increased their popularity throughout the country. Further afield, the Victorian era, also, saw the rise of floriography, or the language of flowers, where different flowers conveyed specific messages. And the rose wasn't left behind. It also conveyed—and still does—different meanings, but mostly associated with love, passion, and desire.

The red rose, in particular, emerged as a prominent symbol of romantic love during this time, establishing a tradition that continues today. Different colors of roses, accordingly, went on to carry distinct meanings. For instance, while red symbolizes passionate love; pink represents admiration; yellow conveys friendship; and white signifies purity and innocence. This versatility allows roses to express a range of emotions beyond just romantic love. So, as you can see, roses have had a tremendous impact on human history dating back to thousands of years ago.

Red Roses on Valentine's Day

The color red holds a unique significance due to its deep connections with love, desire, and passion. This symbolism can be traced back to the earlier mentioned Greek mythology which implies that the first white rose transformed into red after being stained by the blood of Aphrodite—the goddess of love and desire. But physiologically, the color red has a notable effect on people; it is known to elevate blood pressure and increase heart rate, which aligns perfectly with its representation of intense emotions. This association has led to the red rose becoming an iconic symbol of love, particularly on Valentine's Day.

The day has, therefore, in turn, become synonymous with giving roses—particularly red ones—in a tradition that has evolved over centuries and has its roots in—other than mythology—both historical practices and cultural symbolism. The act of gifting roses on Valentine's Day can be traced back to ancient customs where flowers were used to express affection and devotion. The custom gained prominence in the 19th century when Valentine's cards began to include floral arrangements as part of their messages. Since roses are visually attractive and have a pleasant fragrance, they became a favored choice for expressing romantic sentiments.

But more than that, the tradition of presenting roses on Valentine's Day has, likewise, been an important mark of this flower in human history, and the red rose has always been the flower of choice. Gifting a dozen red roses, thus, signifies completeness and a lasting gesture of love. This practice is generally rooted in Victorian-era customs. The rich historical context and cultural importance of the color red, also, solidify its status as a compelling sign of love and passion thus today, millions of people exchange red rose bouquets every February 14th. Basically, these deep red blooms evoke feelings of warmth and tenderness, and hence why they are an ideal choice for romantic gestures. And in that context, Plantec shares its top three favorite red roses for the celebration of this globally renowned date.

Plantec's Top Picks of Red Roses for V-day

Red roses have always found their way into people's hearts, leaving a rich visual impact because of their undeniable beauty and the sentiments they express; especially varieties like Rose Explorer (the flagship rose from Ecuador). This variety took the country by storm and has, in later years, continued to maintain its magical allure ever since. The growing demand for Rose Explorer is directly linked to how excited the American and European markets were, to discover this rose which—for years—was almost entirely destined exclusively for the Russian Market.

With the United States and Europe increasing the demand for the rose, it has become much more widely available for red rose enthusiasts and customers worldwide. Its dark red hue is unmistakable. Its sister rose, Rose Red Panther, has just the same shape and intensity as Rose Explorer, but with a unique marbled appearance that enchants and delights, especially as a heartfelt gift for a special day like Valentine's. These two sister roses represent everything that Valentine's Day is known for. Their modest beauty and the grandiose message of love and intimacy they send out at first encounter, speak volumes.

Of course, Plantec's Rose Fortune, also, makes it to their favorite choices of red roses for the most passionate time of the year. Rose Fortune stands out as an innovation of the standard red rose, portraying a message of eternal love. A rose, like a chocolate or fine wine, must be enjoyed while it is in bloom. Part of the experience of a beautiful rose is the end of its vase life, exactly like a box of chocolates will be empty once eaten, or even the finest wine turning into an empty bottle once enjoyed. Rose Fortune is quite an innovative product in the market because of its longer vase life, lasting well into three weeks in a vase if properly cared for. And who would pass up a larger box of chocolates or a bigger bottle of wine or in this case, longer-lasting roses?

Yes, even though roses are known to have appeared some 35 million years ago, their impact is never-ending. Their roots are firmly entrenched in different cultures all over the world. And their blooms speak to us perhaps more than any other flower. Thus, for this occasion of Valentine's Day, there definitely is a red rose that you'd want to pick for someone dear to you.

Feature image by @plantec_ecu, header image by @fleurvanessa.official