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Roses, known as the “Queen of Flowers”, grew in Asia 5,000 years ago. The first historical reference of the rose is by the Sumerians from ancient Mesopotamia. IN 2680BC, King Sargon I of Akkadia brought vines, figs and rose trees from a military expedition beyond the River Tigris.From Funk & Wagnall’s Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend- "Originally from Persia, the rose is said to have been brought to the West by Alexander the Great. To the Arabs, the rose was a masculine flower. It was anciently a symbol of joy, later of secrecy and silence, but is now usually associated with love." Herodotus claims that the mythical King Midas of Phrygia, introduced the rose to Greece. “The Iliad” by Homer (9th century BC), tells us that the shield of Achilles was decorated with roses.
Roses also symbolized passionate love. Wall paintings and objects depicting roses were found in Egyptian tombs (5th century BC). Cleopatra had the palace floors carpeted with rose petals, her bedchamber filled two feet deep with red rose petals and fountains filled with rose water to seduce Mark Antony. King Childebert I, planted a rose garden for his Queen in Paris.
And finally, Roses began to have important talismanic symbolism, as seen by the Ceremony of the Golden Rose, begun by Leo IX, elected Pope in 1084 (11th century). A rose handcrafted from solid 24K gold would be sent to a favored monarch, as a token of papal esteem. Those roses are now considered masterpieces of art, some of which can be seen in the Louvre Museum in Pairs.
We present these Chandeliers as a lovely way to wear the passionate flower of Love every day!
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