April 23 in Catalonia isn’t just another spring day – it’s a historical love story filling the streets. Picture Barcelona buzzing with life: book stalls stacked high, flower stands glowing in every shade of red. It’s Sant Jordi Day, one of the most beloved traditions in Catalonia, where love and literature take center stage and every corner feels like poetry in motion.
At the Heart of It All? Roses and Books
Traditionally, men present red roses to their partners, while a more recent custom has emerged in which women give books to the important men in their lives. These days, the exchange often goes both ways – roses for books, books for roses, love flowing freely in both directions.
The Story Behind
Like any good celebration, Sant Jordi Day comes with a legend. In a small Catalan village named Montblanc, a fierce dragon terrorized the townspeople, devouring their animals until none remained. In an attempt to appease the creature, the villagers agreed to offer a daily human sacrifice, chosen by drawing lots, as a gesture to keep the dragon satisfied. One fateful day, the lot fell on the king’s own daughter. Just as the princess was about to be swallowed up, a brave knight suddenly arrived to challenge the beast. That knight was Sant Jordi. He thrust his lance into the dragon, and from the blood that spilled onto the ground, a bush of red roses is said to have grown. Sant Jordi offered a rose to the princess.
A gesture of courage. A symbol of love. A moment that still echoes through Catalonia centuries later. Now imagine bringing that legend to life – not with just any rose, but with one that feels like it belongs in a fairy tale.
Enter Red Naomi!
If Sant Jordi himself were picking a rose today, surely it would be Red Naomi from Porta Nova. This isn’t just a red rose – it’s the red rose. The color is deep and luxurious, smooth and velvety. The bloom? Huge. Generous. Packed with petals that unfold like the chapters of a favorite novel.
And that subtle scent – soft, elegant, never overpowering – wraps around the senses like the opening lines of a story you don’t want to put down.
The Sant Jordi Story of Aràlia Flors: Red Naomi and HBO’s series House of the Dragon
At Aràlia Flors, honesty, warmth, and sharp attention to detail shape everything they do, and that same spirit fuels their bold Sant Jordi creativity. As they told us, “It is without doubt the most important day of the year for us, a day that connects people through beauty and tradition.” That belief comes to life through storytelling, where every Sant Jordi rose carries its own personality. For their striking HBO‘s House of the Dragon theme featuring Porta Nova Red Naomi roses, mystery played a starring role.
Aràlia Flors:
“For us, every Sant Jordi must have a story… We never reveal the design of the main rose before the day itself; we love mystery and suspense. We recorded it in one take…that spontaneity made it authentic and truly ‘ours’.”
And true to their playful, film-loving roots, even their promo video captured that spark of spontaneity.
Designing Like a Storyteller
Think of Red Naomi as your leading character. People typically give long-stem red roses that are adorned with a small stalk of wheat and a tiny red-and-yellow 'senyera', the Catalan flag marked by four red stripes on a gold background. Many of these roses also carry the phrase 't’estimo', which means I love you', in Catalan.
A Tradition That Keeps Blooming
Each year, florists get to reimagine the legend, reshape the story, and relive the romance through flowers.
Maybe this year it’s a single Red Naomi wrapped in newspaper print.
Maybe it’s a bouquet paired with handwritten quotes from classic love stories.
Maybe it’s a dramatic wall covering that feels like stepping into a dragon’s lair – only to discover roses blooming where the battle ended.
Love, Courage, and Storytelling
However you design it, the heart of the day remains the same.
Because somewhere out there, someone is about to hand over a book...
And someone else is about to receive a rose.
Make sure it’s unforgettable!
