07 Feb 2024

Why do we send Red Roses at Valentine's Day?

Why do we send Red Roses at Valentine's Day?

We've become used to the red rose being the symbol for love, specifically at Valentine's Day. Each year florists all over the world will deliver rozes by the dozen from secret (and not so secret) admirers- but why? Aside from the obvious fact that its lovely to get flowers, why has the red rose specifically acted as this symbol?

Well, the red rose and it's connection with love has a very long history. There is fossil evidence of roses dating back tens of thousands of years in parts of Asia, so its no wonder that this flower has featured heavily in ancient stories and myth. 

Roses & Greek Mythology

According to the Greek poet Anacreon, the white rose first sprang forth during the birth of Aphrodite, the goddess of love (though as this is a light-hearted floristry blog,  I will spare you the gruesome tale of exactly how).

What’s in a name?

Another tale tells of Chloris, the goddess of flowers. She was walking in the woods one day when she came across a nymph who had died. So sad to see this, she transformed it into the most beautiful flower ever known, one that would be named “The Queen of Flowers” by all the gods. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, named it ‘rose’ in honour of her son Eros.

The creation of the Red Rose

A book of poems written by Bion in the 1^st century BC continues Aphrodite’s tale and tells of her lover Adonis, and a plot for his death by the jealous Ares- who sent a wild boar out to kill him so that he could take Aphrodite for himself. Learning of this plan, she races through the forest to save him, but is too late. Cutting her foot on the way, her blood marks the white roses- turning them red and lasting as a symbol of her love for  him.

It is also said in the same poem that the combination of the blood and Aphrodite’s tears seeps into the ground and from this springs the Anemone flowers.

"Sub Rosa" Latin for "Under the Roses". Meaning: In Secret

It may come as no surprise that the Greeks had more myths about this! According to legend, Aphrodite’s son Eros gifted a rose to the god Harpocrates (the god of silence), in order to protect the secrets and indiscretions of his Mother and the rest of the gods.

This story has been told and re-told in other forms (in Roman legend it was Cupid who gifted the rose in exchange for secrecy). Over the years, the Rose flower has been used as a symbol of confidentiality. We have seen the rose throughout history painted on confessionals, on ceilings of council chambers and even in connection with secret societies. The still used phrase “Sub Rosa”, or “under the roses” indicates that anything said is private or off the record. 

The association of secrets with roses was later adopted by the Victorians, who used flowers of all kinds to communicate private messages, and is a potential reason why Valentine's cards are signed by 'your secret admirer".

Floriography & The Victorians

Although the association with red roses and love can be traced back to the Ancient Greek and Romans, it was the Victorians that made made it popular. It is thought that red roses were mainly cultivated in Asia, until the early 1700's when they began to trickle into Europe- along with the myths and stories surrounding them. 

As with all legends and traditions, the connotation of roses and secrecy has taken on many forms. In the 1800’s it became popular for people (often lovers) to communicate secret messages through floral arrangements. This language became known as ‘floriography’, and is the art of speaking through flowers. Flowers would represent a certain code, which is how they got some of the meaning we know today; Yellow roses for friendship, white for innocence, pink for thanks and so on. Each variety and/or colour held a unique meaning and it was during this time that red roses as the symbol of love became widely known and popular.

Why A Dozen?

The number 12 is seen as a significant number by many religions and cultures, and is widely recognised to many as the most ‘complete and whole number’.

In modern times 12 is seen to represent the 12 months of the year. It is a symbol of your love lasting the whole year and your intention to love someone until the next valentines day (when you hopefully send them another 12!)

Breaking Tradition

There is no doubt that the red rose is the traditional symbol of Valentine’s Day, and probably always will be! However, we are big breakers of tradition here at Colonnade Florist!

Although it is a rich and fascinating history, the most important thing about Valentine’s day is showing your love for your Valentine. More and more each year we have requests for mixed bouquets, and a variety of colours, and we are happy to make bespoke arrangements to suit your unique love!

You can browse our Valentine's Day Collection here:  https://www.flowersatcolonnade.co.uk/valentines-collection/

Or, if you want to break with tradition and opt for something a little different, check out our brand new spring collection:  https://www.flowersatcolonnade.co.uk/spring-collection/