Roses in Folklore -- Part 2

It is not until the Christians adopt the rose as a symbol of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and hence a symbol of motherhood and purity, that the rose regains significance in medieval Europe. Even so, its use in folklore is a mixed bag of metaphors.

In one medieval myth, Emperor Ludwig of Germany is protected by a rose while sleeping overnight in the woods. After hanging his crucifix onto a thorn bush fashioned into an altar, he awakens to discover the bramble has changed to a rose and builds a chapel in its honor.

In another, Rosamond, mistress to King Henry II of England, is killed by a potion disguised with roses and concocted by the king's wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. The grave of Rosamond sprouts a rose now called Rosa Mundi, and bears both pink and white colors.

By the 14th century, English folklore associated the color of roses with many literary secondary meanings. One author who wrote under the pseudonym of Sir John Mandeville relates a Jewish folktale about Zillah and Hamuel. The maiden, Zillah, is falsely accused by Hamuel because she rebuffs his romantic advances. The punishment for her alleged crime is burning at the stake. But the ensuing fire does not kill Zillah and in its ashes white roses grow symbolizing Zillah's innocence and purity. The fire does kill Hamuel, however. And in his ashes red roses grow, symbolizing treachery and dishonesty.

Early Americana is not without its own rose folklore, too. The Cherokee Native Americans tell of a maiden, Nunnshi, who is saved from an enemy attack when she prays for protection. The white Cherokee Rose (Rosa laevigata) grows up around Nunnshi to protect her from being trampled. To this day, white roses are traditionally worn at weddings in the belief they will bring happiness and security.

Today, folklore and tradition have attached associations to rose colors. According to the American Rose Society, the associations go like this:

· Red = Love, respect

· Deep pink = Gratitude, appreciation

· Light pink = Admiration, sympathy

· White = Reverence, humility

· Yellow = Joy, gladness

· Orange = Enthusiasm, desire

· Red & yellow blends = Gaiety, joviality

· Pale blended tones = Sociability, friendship

It is a certainty, however, every culture has its own interpretations based on its folklore formulated long ago.

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