Have you wondered why rose flowers are mainly used to express love, especially during valentines day?
According to the Greek writer Pausanias, the rose obtained its red colour from the blood of Aphrodite (Venus), who cut her feet on the thorns of a rosebush while rushing to her dying lover, Adonis.
Speaking to the Star, Flower production Manager at AAA Chui farm in Nanyuki David Nzoma said the history has been carried down to other countries with the red rose still symbolizing love to date.
Nzoma however said although rose flowers are given to express love, the way they are given also matters.
For instance, he said if the suitor or admirer gives the bouquet to the suitress and she holds it at the heart level, she has accepted the advances and is ready for the relationship, but if she holds the bouquet pointing or facing downwards she has appreciated the gift but not interested in the relationship.
If the suitress receives the bouquet using her left hand she is not interested in the advances or relationship.
Here is also what you need to know about the different colours of roses and what they symbolise.
The red rose
Mostly used on Valentines day is given to lovers to symbolise romance, love, beauty and courage.
Pink flower
Symbolises happiness, admiration, love and gratification. It is a symbol of emotion.
White flower
Symbolises innocence, purity or spirituality, mostly associated with angels.
Orange flower
A crossbreed of yellow and red roses expresses happiness, gratitude, fascination, desire and support.
It is given as a hint to a lady by a man who is interested in a friendship that could materialize into a romantic relationship.
Yellow roses
Symbolise friendship, joy and appreciation. Can also be placed in our homes to give a cheerful feeling.
Blue roses
They naturally don’t occur but the colour could be achieved after the tissue culture, symbolising something unattainable, in other words, to mean the love that you are chasing is elusive.
Purple or lavender flowers
Express love at first love. The lavender flowers are mostly associated with royalty and hence are given to royal families or influential people.
Green flower
Symbolises luck, growth, life and a new beginning. It is associated with yields and harvests.
