Rose

A flower that grows from a thorny bush.

A red rose if often the symbol of love.

Chicks dig 'em and they are and easy gift.

Medieval Roses

Medieval Roses are not the same as the modern roses we see - they didn't form neat buds, rather they were always open flowers, without the multiple layers of petals seen on modern roses. This can be seen by the shape of the heraldic rose which is an open flower seen from above, rather than a bud on a stem. Roses were probably more prized for their smell in medeival times than we do today, whereas today we attribute more significance to the form of the flower.

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Hellibores, also called winter roses, are not a variety of rose, but are annother medeival flower, which when cut from their plant do bear some simularity of appearance to the medieval rose.

Medieval symbolism of roses

It has been the cause of many wars, namely the war of the roses - which was not actually over a rose, so who knows.. and the rose has also been notably mentioned in litrature with the line, "and would a rose by any other name, smell so sweet?"

SCA symbolism of roses

A rose of wreath of roses is the symbol of the queen of many kingdoms, including Lochac with a white rose. Former queens are called "ladies of the rose" and have some role in advising and helping the new queen. Tournaments of the rose may be held in which the looser of the bout has to deliver roses to the lady of the winner's choice.

Medieval practical (non-symbolic) uses of Roses

Roses were a source of rosewater, a favourite period food sweetener, rose hips were used in several recepies including for jam.