As we celebrate Valentine's Day, legend has it that Cupid gave red rose to Harpocrates, the god of silence to bribe him to secrecy over the dalliances of Venus and so the red rose become the symbol of discretion, love, passion and romance. Roses were henceforth painted on the ceilings of banquet halls to remind all gathered there that whatever was said there, should not be repeated which became the expression sub rosa (under the rose). Another legend says that while Aphrodite was running to the dying Adonis, she was scratched by a rose bush and her blood falling on the roses turn it into red. Other account says that Adonis turned his blood into red roses.
Whatever legend strikes your fancy, there is nothing in our garden at this time of the year but the florist and even the supermarket stores are selling roses grown in South America. And how did Valentine's Day get started anyway. A certain Bishop Valentine started it to replace the Roman festival of Lupercalia. There were several Bishop Valentines but nobody is really certain as to who is the real Bishop Valentine. But whoever he is, the tradition continues and we celebrate this day exchanging gifts and greetings between our loved ones, friends, family but mostly lovers.
During the Victorian era, valentine cards are mostly decorated with old-fashioned roses. Even today, valentines are still associated with roses. For Valentine's Day, red roses are the most popular flower.
HAPPY VALENTINE DAY!!!
Copyright © 2009. By Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady". All rights reserved.. *RED ROSES FOR VALENTINE*
If you are interested in selling or buying a home in Brookville, Muttontown, Oyster Bay, East Norwich, Oyster Bay Cove, Syosset, Laurel Hollow, Bayville, Centre Island and Mill Neck, please contact Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady".
Ph - 516-385-0584
Email - linda@rosalindamorgan.com
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Thank you Rosalinda... I pickup up a dozen for my Valentine earlier today. Hope you get yours!
It's a fun holiday! I have a bunch of homemade cards to hand out tomorrow! Today, I drove around my neighborhood, and delivered valentine notes, and small boxes of candy hearts!
Hi Rosalina, My husband brought home chocolate covered strawberries tonight. They were yummy although they were a day early.
Thanks for the legend/myth. No matter how you look at it, Valentine's Day is about Love. Now if I could just convince my hubby that it isn't just for Hallmark and flower shops to extract more money out of us...that it does celebrate romance...I have to give him credit though. He does give me flowers and cards for Valentine's.
Darren - How sweet! I think I only got roses once on Valentine's Day. I've been married 38 years. My husband bought me rose plants in the spring. I have about 175 of them in the garden. Mostly I got box of chocolates which I love.
Pat - What a great idea! I have to remember that for next year.
Shirley - I love chocolate covered strawberries. That's another one of my favorites.
Lydia - Funny you said that. My husband thinks the same way. I got presents mostly on non holiday. Go figure!
Rosalinda, great post! I love all three legends! Thanks for sharing and Happy Valentine's Day to you!
Tony & Darcy - Very romantic legends. I'm very happy to share them. Happy Valentine's Day.