The Rose in Greek Mythology

It is said that the deity of flowers, Chloris, walked through the forest on a misty morning. She found the body of a nymph, and was sad to see the life gone from such a beautiful creature. She decided to turn her into the most beautiful flower- surpassing all other flowers with its elegance and beauty.

Chloris called in the other deities to assist her in the task- she called on Aphrodite to give the flower beauty, on the Three Graces for brilliance, charm and joy, she called on her husband Zephyrus, the West wind, to blow away the clouds so that Apollo, the Sun, could bestow his blessing through the rays. Then she called on Dionysius, the deity of wine, to give the flower nectar and heavenly scent.

When the flower was finished Chloris collected a few dewdrops and with it, crowned the flower The Rose, and the gods and goddesses rejoiced over this incredible flower.

Aphrodite offered the flower to her son, Eros, the deity of love, and the white rose became the symbol of purity and innocence, the red rose the symbol of love and beauty.

When Eros in turn gave the rose to the deity of Silence, Harpocrates, as an attempt to have him to reveal the gods weaknesses, the rose also became a symbol of secrecy and silence.