No other flower has inspired poets, painters, and artists as much as the rose. Although the history of roses dates back to 35 million years ago, these flowers can still instantly captivate anybody's emotions with their timeless look.
We honour the rich history of the rose by bringing you the most exquisite, environmentally friendly flowers. The infinity roses are high-quality Ecuadorian Fairtrade roses, which, thanks to the country's proximity to the equator, achieve a distinctive gorgeous look and large-size bloom.
In this article, you'll discover how the rose's vivid colours and sharp thorns have inspired artists and forged relationships throughout history.
An Inspirational History
Roses have always been at the centre of popular beliefs and historical events. According to Greek mythology, for instance, the flower arose from Aphrodite's tears and the blood of her lover, Adonis.
Roses have always been at the centre of popular beliefs and historical events. According to Greek mythology, for instance, the flower arose from Aphrodite's tears and the blood of her lover, Adonis.
As a symbol of beauty and luxury, the rose has also been a long-standing favourite of Cleopatra's in ancient Egypt. The empress would have her living quarters covered in rose petals to meet Marc Antony so that her lover would remember her.
Roses played a crucial role in the medieval War of the Roses, one of the most iconic moments in English history. Moreover, in the 1800s, Empress Josephine, Napoleon's wife, established an extensive collection of roses at the Château de Malmaison, including more than 250 different qualities of roses.
Here, the team brought its passion for roses to life by offering you the most exquisite forever roses through a combination of science and luxury. A specialist team creates unique floral arrangements that keep their gorgeous look for years.
Six Beautiful Quotes About Roses
The symbolism of roses has inspired countless poets, artists, and painters through the centuries. Here are a handful of evocative citations featuring the most famous and graceful flower of all time: the rose.
"The sharp thorn often produces delicate roses." – Ovid.
According to the Latin poet Ovid, roses were created from Venus's tears after Adonis's death. According to the myth, the Goddess fell deeply in love with Adonis, who was more interested in pursuing his talent for hunting.
Adonis was severely wounded by a wild boar during a hunting trip and later died in Venus' arms. As Venus's tears touched the ground, they turned into white roses. Refusing to accept her lover's death, the Goddess transformed Adonis's blood into a red rose as an immortal sign of her love.
Today, roses are still the most popular choice for those who want to express their love. The dozen red forever roses are the perfect gift and a timeless, elegant way to remind your loved ones of your everlasting feelings.
"A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses. If you are generous, you will gain everything" – Confucius
Rose farming likely began in Asia about five thousand years ago. Roses have since played an essential role in human life. In about 500 B.C., Confucius, a renowned ancient Chinese editor, politician and philosopher, wrote about the roses from China's Imperial Gardens.
According to his testimony, the Emperor's library contained hundreds of books on roses. Confucius reported that the ruler was so passionate about roses that the extension of rose gardens in the empire posed a threat to cultivated land.
"What is the scent of the Rose? The breath of reason and intelligence, a sweet guide on the way to the eternal kingdom." – Rumi
The rose holds a powerful meaning in Islam, where it people known it as the flower of heaven. This flower is a potent symbol of spirituality and is often associated with the human soul. In Muslim tradition, this exquisite flower also symbolises Prophet Muhammad and his mystic path.
According to popular belief, upon conquering Istanbul in 1453, Sultan Mehmet II had the Aya Sophia cathedral washed with rose water before converting it into a mosque.
Unsurprisingly, one of the earliest sources of information on rose water production is in Turkey. For centuries, people considered rose water to possess mighty physical, emotional, and even spiritual powers.
The image and significance of the rose inspired one of England's greatest writers, William Shakespeare. The play "Romeo and Juliet" includes one of the most famous quotes, with Juliet reminding Romeo that even though they come from rival house, their love should remain solid and unchanged.
The rose is also known as England's national flower. In the Middle Ages, roses were a crucial heraldic symbol for the House of York. Lancaster people call this War of the Roses because the royal House of Lancashire wore a red rose, while the royal House of York wore a white one.
"My garden of roses is the most beautiful thing in the world." - Josephine Bonaparte
In the 17th century, Josephine Bonaparte, Napoleon's wife, established extensive collection of roses in France. That way, she made the Malmaison garden the most famous garden of the time. In 1924, her garden became an inspiration for botanical illustrator Pierre Joseph Redoute's work.
Here, he completed his watercolours collection "Les Roses" which is, to this day, still considered one of the essential records of botanical illustration. Roses eventually became so prized and in such high demand that royals came to consider them legal tender in the 1800s.
"Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose." - Gertrude Stein
In the 19th century, the symbolism of the rose inspired American writer Gertrude Stein. She was an eccentric and avant-garde genius and became one of the most accomplished art collectors and critics of her is a statement of identity, where using the name of a thing evokes a series of emotions and memories associated with it.
In the present day, there is no consensus about the identity of roses. The exact amount of roses species is the subject of an ongoing heated debate. According to some estimates, there are over 30 thousand different types of roses.
Environmentally Friendly Flowers: a New Chapter in the History of Roses
We create eco friendly flowers to offer a durable, sustainable, yet luxurious, alternative to fresh-cut flowers. Unlike their fresh counterpart, these eco flowers are preserved to display their bold colour and delightful aroma for up to three years.
Environmentally friendly flowers are the future of rose farming. For this reason, we neutralise the carbon footprint of its forever roses so that you can actively help the environment with each purchase. A beautiful gift to you, and to the planet.
