The Yoga of Roses

The rose is perhaps the most iconic flower the world over. Our obsession is prevalent throughout recorded history and many myths, legends, and rituals celebrate the flower’s beauty and cement its association with love, divinity and healing. This article will delve into the rose’s rich history and explore ways you can incorporate this little flower into your life to enhance your health & well-being.

Love, Devotion & Divinity

To a modern audience, Roses primarily evoke romance. Though this was evidently the case in history too, the flower’s meaning was somewhat more complex in a historical context. Love was a theme in rose mythology, but it was love in relation to the Gods or extremely holy figures. This married the rose to the idea of religious devotion and spiritual connection.

This is reflected in the theology of The Greeks (and Romans). There are countless Mediterranean legends that detail the origin of the rose but Aphrodite (Venus), the Goddess of Love, takes centre stage most often. Her birth and the birth of the first white rose were said to coincide. The sea foam from which she emerged sprouted bushes upon dropping to the earth, inextricably binding roses, the concept of love and divinity together.

Hinduism echoes these associations. Though it may be the lotus that comes to mind when we consider Vedic religions, Lord Vishnu actually favoured the rose, titling it the Queen of the Flowers. In order to convince Lord Brahma of its beauty, he manifested a bush of 108 roses. So enchanted by the grace of this flower, Brahma went onto create the Goddess Lakshmi from the petals of its blossoms. She is hailed as Vishnu’s divine bride and mother of humanity, linking the rose once again to passionate love but also to the divinity of creation.

The Christian faith is littered with roses too. It is said to be rose thorns that Jesus wears on his path to crucifixion so the flower is again aligned with the concepts of religious devotion and, in this case, sacrifice. However, they are most regularly associated with the Virgin Mary: a rose amidst the thorns of the world from which Jesus and spiritual love are born.

The Science

Yoga & Mindfulness Exercises

Medicine: The Rose Salve Recipe

As we have seen, roses are a magical aid for meditation practice and a gentle medicine to ensure your mind and body remain happy and healthy.

Get in touch to let me know how these exercises effect you, or recommend me your favourite rose recipes.

Subscribe below or FOLLOW ME for more yoga and plant content.