Spring time has arrived,
now she showers golden
now she showers golden
Nivedita Patnaik
Rose: from the Latin 'Rosa'; and linked to the Greek 'Rhodon'. Like showers of golden suns, these yellow blooms shine bright and brilliant in the summer sun. And, then, as dusk draws its shroud upon my garden, they slowly withdraw into the dying light like fading stars.
Roses at dusk in my garden by Flavia Brilli
Greek Mythology
In Greek mythology, the rose was created
by the goddess of flowers, Chloris. One day, she found the lifeless
body of a nymph in the woods and transformed her into a flower. She then called upon Aphrodite, goddess of love, and Dionysus, the god of
wine. Aphrodite gave the flower beauty as her gift and Dionysus added
nectar to give it a sweet fragrance. Zephyrus, god of the West Wind,
blew the clouds away so Apollo, the sun god, could shine and make the
flower bloom. That is how the rose was created and rightfully
crowned "Queen of Flowers"
Chloris: a Nymph. She represented spring, flowers and new growth. Her Roman equivalent was the goddess Flora.
Roman Mythology
The Romans
made the rose a symbol of beauty and love. And in Roman mythology, the son of Venus (Cupid) was stung
by a bee while shooting arrows into a garden full of roses.
When Venus was walking in the garden, she pricked her foot on a thorn
left by her son. It turned the roses red. During the domination of
the Roman Empire, roses were also a symbol of vanity. Roman Emperors often smothered their guests in rose petals during their dinners and
orgies.
Cupid shooting arrows into a garden of roses
Venus Vericordia by Dante Rossetti (1866)
Shown here by Dante with a background of roses symbolising beauty and love
The Roses of Heliogabalus by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
The Roses of Heliogabalus
Depicting the young emperor Elagabalus hosting a banquet. The painting shows a group of Roman guests at a banquet, being swamped by drifts of pink rose petals falling from a false ceiling above.The youthful Roman emperor Elagabalus wearing a golden silk robe and tiara, watches the spectacle from a platform behind them with other garlanded guests.
CLEOPATRA
CLEOPATRA
Cleopatra
VII, inspired by the mythical origins of roses, used their
petals during public appearances. She wanted to be remembered as a
goddess who smelled like roses.
ROSE COLOURS
Red Roses: True Love
Yellow Roses: Friendship
Yellow roses represent friendship, joy and caring. These beautiful sun-colored roses can convey warmth, delight, gladness and affection, as well as say good luck, welcome back, and remember me.
White Roses: Purity and innocence
Orange Roses: Passion
All images and words © 2018 Flavia Brilli.
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