The Rose Ceremony

Roses are among the most ancient plants. The first fossil record of a rose goes back 35 million years. In 600 BC, a Sumerian woman wrote, ‘the rose is the queen of all flowers.’ To Venus, the Roman goddess of love, the rose was sacred. From the time Cleopatra filled a room two feet deep with rose petals for her beloved Marc Anthony to modern history, the rose has always been a symbol of love and romance.

In the Language of Flowers, lovers sent roses to each other with very specific meanings, depending upon the color.

• White = Innocence Yellow=Friendship
• Lavender=Enchantment
• Pink=Joy and Gratitude
• Coral=Desire
• Orange=Fascination
• Red = love and passion.

All roses symbolize love, but red roses clearly say, “I love you”. Even Robert Burns, the poet wrote so many years ago, “My love is like a red, red, rose.” Although florists prefer to sell roses by the dozen, a single rose is all that’s needed to promise lifelong devotion and romance to your beloved.

Why do we include a ‘Rose Ceremony’? So that each time you look at a red
rose, each time you pass by a fragrant rose garden, the visual and the aroma of the beautiful flower will remind you of the love and joy and expectancy of only good that you feel today.

Following is a sample of the words we use in our rose ceremonies. You may also choose to take a moment in your ceremony to gift extended family members with pink roses, symbols of joy and gratitude.

"This rose is another symbol of your love. On each anniversary of your wedding, put a single rose in your home as a reminder of the love and joy you feel today. And should day-to-day living cast any shadow over your love, be sure to pick a fresh rose and place it in your home as a peace offering and reaffirmation of the unconditional love your have for each other right now."