With Valentine's Day now a sprinkle of confetti in the rearview mirror, let's dive into the love-drenched lore that continues to captivate hearts. Among the bouquet of tales, a standout story from ancient Greek mythology paints a picture of love and sacrifice: Aphrodite, the goddess of love, in her quest for her beau Adonis, gets nicked by the thorns of white roses. Her divine blood dribbles onto the petals, turning them from wedding gown white to passionate red. Thus, red roses became the MVPs of Valentine's Day, symbolizing deep love, while white roses took a step back into the friend zone, representing pure love.
During the love fest that is Valentine's season in the West, red roses are the hot ticket, with white roses playing the trusty sidekick. But hey, it's the thought that counts, right? So, roses of all shades join the party, letting everyone express their unique version of love.
As for why we celebrate love on February 14th, well, it's a bit of a head-scratcher with a few theories floating around. A favorite, especially in Britain and France, is that after winter's chill, it's not just the birds and the bees getting busy — everyone's in the mood for love, marking February 14th as the official "let's celebrate love" day.
Roses aren't just for Valentine's; they're also part of the UK's national flower squad, alongside the Thistle of Scotland, the Daffodil of Wales, and the Shamrock of Northern Ireland. The rose, though, takes center stage in the British monarchy's flower crown.
The UK prides itself on its rose game, with the David Austin Rose as the cream of the crop, known for its lush layers and a fragrance that could make a perfume bottle blush. Missed Valentine's? No worries! Gifting the "king of roses," the David Austin Rose, is like saying "I love you" in the language of flowers any day of the year.
For those with furry friends at home, roses are a safe bet since they're not on the pet poison list. Whatever bouquet graced your doorstep this year, it's all about the love it represents.
And about the whole "dozen roses" thing — it's not just a random number. The number "12" is like the Taylor Swift of numerology, symbolizing completeness and perfection. From Christianity's twelve disciples to a clock's face, it's a number with history. Gifting twelve roses? You're not just giving flowers; you're offering a year-round, around-the-clock testament of love. A handy tip for all the lovebirds and florists out there!
The original Chinese text can be found serialized in LivesUp's 'Show 花 So Good' column.