By La Laura Paris, Artist and Youth Ambassador
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," William Shakespeare famously mused in Romeo and Juliet, encapsulating the timeless allure of the rose. Dubbed the queen of flowers, its rich and captivating history continues to enchant us.
Legend has it that Venus, the goddess of love, bestowed the rose with its bewitching fragrance—a blend of her blood and a kiss from her son Cupid, who, enamored by its beauty, imparted the flower with its divine scent. This mythical origin, as recounted by the Roman poet Virgil, symbolizes our enduring fascination with the rose, the undisputed queen of flowers.
With over 150 species and thousands of hybrids, the rose palette spans an array of colors and forms. The Centifolia and Damask roses, celebrated for their exquisite scents, are perfumery's darlings, while English roses are cherished for their robust, delightful fragrances. These English varieties, emblematic of unity in the aftermath of the War of the Roses, embody a spectrum of aromas found in classic old and tea roses, categorized into five distinct types: myrrh, fruity, musk, old rose, and tea.
Usage in History
The rose's legacy is as rich as its fragrance. In Ancient Egypt, high society women were anointed with rose pomades, and Cleopatra famously used rose-petal-infused oil for her skin. Ancient Rome's daily spa rituals included baths and massages with rose-scented oils, celebrating the flower as the pinnacle of perfumery. The hanging Gardens of Babylon showcased scented plants, with roses earning the kingdom fame for their unmatched beauty. In the Arab world, roses symbolized wealth and voluptuous beauty, with rosewater serving as a luxurious gesture of hospitality.
In India, divine statues are bathed in rosewater during religious ceremonies, while in China, the T’ang era's trade exchanges with the Arab world introduced roses to tea ceremonies, a tradition that persists.
Legend has it that Venus, the goddess of love, bestowed the rose with its bewitching fragrance—a blend of her blood and a kiss from her son Cupid, who, enamored by its beauty, imparted the flower with its divine scent. This mythical origin, as recounted by the Roman poet Virgil, symbolizes our enduring fascination with the rose, the undisputed queen of flowers.
With over 150 species and thousands of hybrids, the rose palette spans an array of colors and forms. The Centifolia and Damask roses, celebrated for their exquisite scents, are perfumery's darlings, while English roses are cherished for their robust, delightful fragrances. These English varieties, emblematic of unity in the aftermath of the War of the Roses, embody a spectrum of aromas found in classic old and tea roses, categorized into five distinct types: myrrh, fruity, musk, old rose, and tea.
Usage in History
The rose's legacy is as rich as its fragrance. In Ancient Egypt, high society women were anointed with rose pomades, and Cleopatra famously used rose-petal-infused oil for her skin. Ancient Rome's daily spa rituals included baths and massages with rose-scented oils, celebrating the flower as the pinnacle of perfumery. The hanging Gardens of Babylon showcased scented plants, with roses earning the kingdom fame for their unmatched beauty. In the Arab world, roses symbolized wealth and voluptuous beauty, with rosewater serving as a luxurious gesture of hospitality.
In India, divine statues are bathed in rosewater during religious ceremonies, while in China, the T’ang era's trade exchanges with the Arab world introduced roses to tea ceremonies, a tradition that persists.
Inspirational Design by Esi Fatih during our Olfaction Training Course
Does the Rose Still Smell Sweet Today?
Modern times have seen a shift away from nature's authentic scents. Advances in technology and the synthesis of fragrances have led to a loss of the rose's complex aroma and healing properties. Similarly, genetically modified cut flowers boast longevity at the expense of their natural scent.
Amazing & Powerful: Natural Roses
Yet, the true beauty of the rose lies not just in its appearance but in the diversity of its scents. Each rose variety offers a unique perfume, changing in intensity and composition throughout the day, mirroring the dynamic nature of living organisms.
Modern times have seen a shift away from nature's authentic scents. Advances in technology and the synthesis of fragrances have led to a loss of the rose's complex aroma and healing properties. Similarly, genetically modified cut flowers boast longevity at the expense of their natural scent.
Amazing & Powerful: Natural Roses
Yet, the true beauty of the rose lies not just in its appearance but in the diversity of its scents. Each rose variety offers a unique perfume, changing in intensity and composition throughout the day, mirroring the dynamic nature of living organisms.
La Laura Pinon: Rose serves as an endless muse for artists
It is our duty to preserve and celebrate the rose for ourselves and future generations, cherishing this natural wonder that continues to captivate and inspire.
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