Why a Red Rose?

During the Victorian era, society felt it was an appropriate endeavour for women to learn the language of flowers. Every flower had a meaning; therefore, to send a bouquet to someone meant the receiver enjoyed not only their beauty but also the thought behind them.

Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, the wife of a British ambassador, interpreted and shared what she understood about Sélam. She thought it was the Turkish tradition of using a secret second meaning of objects while writing love letters. This is very similar to the modern sense of emojis used in texting. Eggplant, for example.

Though Lady Montagu’s interpretation was incorrect, her concept trended and the Langage Des Fleurs by Charlotte de Latour was written. Every flower was given a meaning.

Excepts from;

“ The Language of Flowers; with Illustrative Poetry”

Fifth American Edition.

Philadelphia:

Lea & Blanchard,

Successors to Carey & Co.

1839

According to ancient Fable, the red colour of the Rose may be traced to Venus, whose delicate foot, when she was hasting to the relief of her beloved Adonis, was pierced by a thorn that drew blood.

Which on the White Rose being shed,

Made it for ever after red.

Herrick

It’s beautiful tint, is traced to another source by a modern poet:

As erst, in Eden’s blissful towers,

Young Eve survey’d her countless flowers,

An opening Rose of purest white

She marked with eye that beam’d delight,

Its leaves she kiss’d, and straight it drew

From beauty’s lip the vermeil hue.

Carey.