ROSE IN ART AND SYMBOLISM, The. The Bible hut twice mentions the rose, and modern criticism tends to prove that in both cases it is a mistranslation and refers to some other growth. In the Song of Solomon the °rose of Sharon" is mentioned. In histori cal reference we find the rose mentioned as of religious significance already in the ancient Zendavesta, and it was held in reverence by an cient Indians, Syrians and Egyptians. But the rose does not appear as a motif in Egyptian art, though the Babylonians had their staves orna mented with silver roses as tokens of festivity. In the heathen mythology the rose was dedi cated to Aphrodite and was claimed either to have been created from the -blood of Adonis or to have been caused by the sea-foam dropping from the newly-created . Aphrodite bursting into bloom. In mythological evolution the rose became a symbol of Eros, later of the Muses and of the Graces. Dionysus (Bacchus) also had a rose as attribute, hence this flower deco rated the guests at banquets. In this context it may be mentioned that the rose has always been the queen of wreath-flowers and orna mental expression of beauty. In antithesis the rose was a symbol of decay; hence an emblem of death. Originating in the Orient the rose be came a popukir growth with the Greeks, who tin turn carried its cultivation into their colonies in 'Italy and elsewhere. The efritebes in their youthful capacity as servers of wine to the guests wore roses on their heads as did also the female 'dancers. In the orgies following the banquet roses were used in great abundance, smothering the tables, and the Latin term sub rosa is said to have originated from the rule that all acts after the arrival of the flowered decoration were considered secret with the con vivialists. Nero is said to have squandered roses at a single feast; the sybarites are said to have reposed on a bed of roses. In Christian iconography we find the rose and blood of Christ brought into close symbolic•cor relation and in the Catacombs the rose and.
wreath of- roses are pictured as symbols of martyrdom. In ecclesiastical art we early find the Holy Virgin symbolized by the rose (rose mystica) and one of her titles became in Italy Santa Maria della Rosa. The flower is often found in her hand in early paintings. An other one of the Virgin's titles is Rosa Cork the Rose of Heaven. Ever since the Middle Ages the Pope has, on Ltetare Sunday, blessed a &lden rose which he bestows to some bene-, ficiary. Some Italian writers have declared that, the term sub rose is derived from the fact of the Pope presenting (since 1526) consecrated roses which were placed over the confessionals at Rome to denote secrecy, the rose being a symbol of silence. In legend, Saint Dorothea, who suffered martyrdom under Fabticius, made a convert of Theophilus by sending him some roses from Paradise. The rose is an attribute of the saints: Casilda, Elizabeth of Portugal, Rose of Lima, Rose of Viterbo, Rosalia and others.
In heraldry the rose is blazon of the dif ference or brisure of the seventh son. The heraldic rose is depicted without leaves or stem and has five petals but the rose double dis plays five other petals within the outer ones; it is pictured full blown. The badge of the House of York is a white rose, while that of the House of Lancaster, its former rival, was a red rose, and their numerous feudal combats are known in history as the ((Wars of the Roses." The aTudoro rose is the white rose of York and red rose of Lancaster combined. In old England roses were the popular presents for birthdays, but in classic art a rose figured on a tomb denotes a short life. And with the Romans the graves were strewn with roses, emblematic of death.