By Thomas Hood Romance Cleopatra was one of the great romantics when she covered the floors of her apartments with rose petals to welcome Mark Antony home. The Emperor of France, during Napoleonic wars, arranged a truce so that a new variety of rose could be delivered by sea as a gift to his wife, Josephine. As most of us know, roses still can serve as a peacemaker in quarrels or as a sign of enduring affection, which is why they remain the most popular flower for wedding anniversaries. Oh, my Love is like the melodie That's sweetly played in time. In the victorian era, the language of roses is a token of love.
Individual varieties have different meanings.
Today the language of flowers is forgotten. However, a faint echo of this charming custom is giving one's true love a single red rose on Valentine's Day. Some have remained the same, while others have taken on a new meaning. The red rose symbolizes love, respect and courage. The rose in a bridal context symbolizes happy love.