BLOOMING TIMES
With her long history of religious and regal associations, all flowers bow down in deference before the rose. Flo Whitaker pays homage to Her Majesty and educates the rest of us
THE FLORAL R
oses have always beguiled us. They appear in Greek and Roman mythology, ancient Chinese writings, as well as Persian and Indian literature. Queen Cleopatra was bonkers about roses and the Empress Josephine was reckoned to have a collection of over 250 different types. Marriages and alliances have been celebrated
QUEEN
with a showering of rose petals since the earliest times. A rosebud posy was considered a charming gift for an expectant mother, while ancient Egyptians solemnly garlanded their dead with roses. This most poetic,
Roses and lilies are the flowers most associated with the Virgin Mary
captivating flower has accompanied us through the centuries – from cradle to grave. Early Christianity was quick to adopt rose imagery. Blood red flowers and cruel thorns symbolised the crucifixion, while representations of withered roses with broken stems reminded the viewer of the transience of mortal life. Roses and lilies are the flowers most associated with the Virgin Mary. Their exquisite blooms were thought to invoke feminine attributes
July 2021 | SUSSEX LIVING 85
