Roses

The Rose Flower

Meaning & Symbolism of Roses

Long a symbol of love and passion, the ancient Greeks and Romans associated roses with Aphrodite and Venus, goddesses of love. Used for hundreds of years to convey messages without words, they also represent confidentiality. In fact, the Latin expression "sub rosa"(literally, "under the rose") means something told in secret, and in ancient Rome, a wild rose was placed on the door to a room where confidential matters were being discussed.

The Rose Flower Facts

All roses have a flower head that is round in shape and symmetrical across its face and down its vertical axis. Rose petals range in shape from a pointed cone to a rounded tear shape. Some lay flat while the edges of others curl up or under. Roses come in a vast array of colors and in a large number of varying hues within the same color. The petals can be bi-color or tri-color and bloom and appear in nearly every color save blue and black. Other Interesting rose facts:

• There are over 100 species of roses.
• For hundreds of years the rose has been widely recognized as a symbol of love, sympathy or sorrow.
• The fruit of a rose is called a rose hip. The berry-like hip are usually red in color, but can sometimes be dark purple or black.
• The sharp spikes on the stem of a rose bush are usually called “thorns”. However, these are actually technically prickles.

Uses for the Rose Flower

The rose is by far the most popular flower for floral arrangements and bouquets. This is a flower that people get for birthdays, holidays, Valentine’s Day, and many others, people enjoy these flowers and getting them as a gift. Otherwise, there are many other uses for the rose plant. People use these plants for medicinal uses, the rose hip can be used for this or it can be used to make teas that people find soothing when they are having medical issues. Other people grow them in their yards or use them for show flowers, there are all kinds of uses for the rose.

Rose Flower Meanings based on Color

Red Roses: 

A red rose is an unmistakable expression of love. Red roses convey deep emotions - be it love, longing or desire. Red Roses can also be used to convey respect, admiration or devotion. A deep red rose can be used to convey heartfelt regret and sorrow. The number of red roses has special romantic meanings associated with them. 12 red roses is the most popular of all which conveys "Be mine" and "I love you"

White Roses: 

White is the color of purity, chastity and innocence. White flowers are generally associated with new beginnings and make an ideal accompaniment to a first-time bride walking down the aisle. White flowers can be used to convey sympathy or humility. They also are indicative of spirituality. Hence, white roses also follow suit.

Yellow Roses: 

Yellow roses are an expression of exuberance. Yellow roses evoke sunny feelings of joy, warmth and welcome. They are symbols of friendship and caring. The yellow rose, like the other roses, does not carry an undertone of romance. It indicates purely platonic emotions.

Pink Roses: 

There are a lot of variations of the pink rose. Over all, pink roses are used to convey gentle emotions such as admiration, joy and gratitude. Light pink rose blooms are indicative of sweetness and innocence. Deep pink rose blooms convey deep gratitude and appreciation. Pink roses also connote elegance and grace.

Orange Roses: 

While a yellow rose reminds us of the sun, an orange rose reminds us of a fiery blaze. These fiery blooms signify passion and energy. Orange roses can be used to express intense desire, pride and fervor. They also convey a sense of fascination. These flowers rival only the red roses as messengers of passion in romance.

Lavender Roses: 

A Lavender rose like its color conveys enchantment. It also expresses "love at first sight". Darker shades of lavender roses (close to purple) convey a sense of regal majesty and splendor. These roses are used to express fascination and adoration.

Blue Roses: 

A perfectly blue rose is still elusive like the perfectly black rose. Blue roses cannot be achieved naturally so they represent the unattainable or the mysterious. Blue roses therefore embody the desire for the unattainable. They say "I can't have you but I can't stop thinking about you"

Green roses: 

Green is the color of harmony, of opulence, of fertility. It is also a color indicative of peace and tranquility. Green roses (these are off-white roses with shades of green) can symbolize best wishes for a prosperous new life or wishes for recovery of good health

Black Roses: 

Black is the color of death and farewell. A black rose, like the blue rose remains elusive. What we know as black roses are actually really dark red roses. Black roses convey the death of a feeling or idea. Sending black roses to someone indicates the death of the relationship.

Mixed Roses: 

By mixing rose blooms of different colors purposefully, you can create a bouquet of emotions. For example, a bouquet of red and white roses would mean I love you intensely and my intentions are honorable. A random mix of roses would convey mixed feelings or send a message: "I don't know what my feelings are yet but I sure do like you enough to send you roses."

References

©2018 Nature's Wonders Florist Ltd http://www.canadianflowerdelivery.com/rose.aspx

Copyright © 2018 FlowerMeaning.com. http://www.flowermeaning.com/rose-flower-meaning/

https://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/aboutflowers/flowermeanings/rose-flower-meanings

https://www.teleflora.com/meaning-of-flowers/rose

Traditional Clothing @ Korea

TRADITIONAL SOUTH KOREAN CLOTHING

Courtesy of Seo, Young-Ae Traditional Korean clothing has its roots extending back at least as far as the Three Kingdoms Period (57 B.C. - 668 A.D.). The Korean hanbok represents one of the most visible aspects of Korean culture.

Hanbok can be classified into ceremonial and everyday dress, each of which can be further classified by gender, age and season. All types of hanbok are created beautifully through combinations of straight and slightly curved lines. 

Women's hanbok in particular are recognized worldwide for the simple yet delightful harmony of their short jackets and full skirts. The jacket, which is put on one arm at a time, makes the upper body look very small, while the skirt worn wrapped around the waist makes the lower body look full, creating an attractive balance. The cut and drape of the clothing complements not only the Korean female physique but also flatters and fits most other body types as well.

THE BEAUTIES OF HANBOK

The beauty of hanbok is found in the elegant flow of its lines and in its pleasing color palette. The hanbok's attractiveness even shines through in the lovely lines created by the body's movement while wearing it – one of the reasons it enjoys such global attention. The hanbok is typically defined as having "eight beauties," as described below.

1. Beauty of structure

The women's hanbok, with its short jacket (Jeogori) paired with a full skirt, possesses a simple structural beauty and rhythmic flow that complement the body's movements.

2. Beauty of form

The hanbok radiates a natural physical beauty in its attractive silhouette and lines, which allow for unrestrained movement of the body.

3. Beauty of creativity

Hanbok is made with flat fabric in a linear shape that only achieves dimensionality when it is worn on the body. When placed on the human frame, the hanbok takes on a life of its own – one that is natural, elegant and flowing.

4. Beauty of harmony

The hanbok features straight and curved lines, giving it an attractive flow representative of a uniquely Korean aesthetic. The graceful, harmonious movement that happens when the hanbok is actually worn is praised the world over.

5. Beauty of color

Hanbok colors are decided according to the "five colors theory" ("obangsaek" in Korean), which refers to the theory of yin and yang and the five elements. The hanbok commonly makes striking use of naturally-occurring colors. Hanbok fabric dyed with organic ingredients.

6. Beauty of nature

One of the hanbok's most eye-catching features found in its full and loose shape, rhythm, and irregular proportions when worn, has a natural angle devoid of artificiality that creates a free-flowing effect and brings out the texture of the natural, hand-woven fabric.

7. Beauty of empty space

Some aspects of the hanbok design are left intentionally "empty," to be filled by the wearer uniquely, giving the hanbok a depth not commonly seen in clothing.

8. Beauty of personal character

The full shape of the hanbok emphasizes the wearer's authority and dignity. While this may have been impractical, it was nevertheless a feature that made hanbok a reflection of social status and propriety. Certain hanbok designs represented the social ranking of the wearer. The king, for example, was represented by the dragon and the queen by the phoenix. Tiger designs were used to represent military officials and were commonly placed on the shoulders, fronts and backs of their court robes. Civil officials were represented by the crane, an animal believed to be pure and resilient.

CLOTHING MATERIALS

Fabrics

Because of the diverse weather conditions, clothes have been made from hemp, ramie, cotton muslin, silk, and satin.

Cooler weather demanded heavier fabric, lined with fur in the northern regions, while summer clothes used thinner materials that allowed breezes to cool the body.

In the autumn, many women would wear clothes of gossamer silk because it gave a rustling sound while walking that is similar to walking through dry leaves.

Colors

White represents purity, integrity, and chastity, and was the most common color for common clothes.

The upper class and court figures wore clothes in red, yellow, blue, and black in addition to white.

These colors, symbolize the five traditional elements in Oriental cosmology (fire, earth, water, metal, and wood). Dyes were made from natural materials such as flowers or bark.

Sewing and Embroidery

In traditional times, a woman's skills in sewing and embroidering showed her devotion and caring for her family.

Norigae, a form of Korean macrame, has been a popular hobby among wives and unmarried girls for years.

CHILDREN'S CLOTHING

Every day children's clothes were designed to keep babies warm. Families dressed their child in bright clothes and quilted socks for his or her first birthday (Tol), a tradition that has continued to the present day. The clothes for the dol include a cheonbok (long blue vest) worn over a durumangi and a bokkeon (black hat with a long tail). Words and symbols related to children were sewn onto the fabric. Originally, the clothes were only for sons of the yangban class. Eventually, the custom and costume spread to other classes and included daughters as well, but with a different style of clothing.

MEN'S CLOTHING

Cheogori and Paji

Men's cheogori were generally longer than their women's counterparts, reaching down to the waist or even lower. Like the women's version, they are tied across the chest in front. The earliest versions of the paji had narrow legs to facilitate horseback riding and hunting. However, a more agrarian society dictated wider legs to facilitate squatting in the fields. The baggier pants are also more comfortable for sitting on floors than narrower pants.

Dop'o

The dop'o was a scholar's overcoat used from the middle of the Chosun Dynasty (1392-1910), although commoners could also wear it for family rites or other special occassions. It was worn over other articles of clothing.

Hakch'angui

This style of clothing was worn by scholars during the Koryo (918-1392) and Chosun (1392-1910) periods. Hak means "study" in Korean, and the style symbolizes a sublime, noble mind.

Shimui

These clothes were worn by scholars during their free time. The name came from the feeling that people had when looking at the clothes. "Shim" means to ponder or contemplate. Similar to hakch'angui, shimui represents a more passive state than actively studying.

T'eol Magoja

The magoja was originally Manchurian clothing. It became popular in Korea after Deawongun, one of the most famous political figures of the late Chosun dynasty, returned from seclusion in Manchuria wearing the clothing. It was used to keep the body warm and was considered a luxury.

Jignyeongp'o

This robe-like clothing first appeared during the Koryo period (918-1392) and was worn by low-level government officials. From the Chosun Dynasty (1392-1910), the clothes were also worn by commoners.

FEMALE CLOTHING

Chogori and Ch'ima

The earliest versions went all the way to the hips and were tied at the waist. By the late Chosun Dynasty (1392-1910), they only went as far as the arm pits, with a longer front panel to cover the breasts. Dongchong (detachable paper collars) help accent the woman's neck. Like the men's version, they are tied across the chest in front with a bow.

The ch'ima is a rectangular or tubular skirt with a high, pleated waistband. It is tied above the breasts with long sashes. By flowing over the rest of the body, it completely hides the female shape, strongly influenced by the Confucian society. Like the wide-legged paji for males, the billowing ch'ima allows a great deal of freedom for squatting, the preferred position when doing most household chores.

Durumagi

A durumagi is worn over regular clothes for warmth during cold weather. Although originally worn by government officials and royalty as everyday attire, commoners began wearing them for special occasions.

Gat-chogori     

A gat-chogori was slightly bigger than an average chogori, but had rabbit fur lining the inside to keep the body warm. The outside layer was made of silk.

Changot

Noble class females of the late Chosun Dynasty (1392-1910) wore a changot to cover their face and upper body whenever they went out in public. Similar to the ssukae ch'ima worn by women of lower classes. Hiding the face created a mysterious look.

Ssukae Ch'ima

Women wore this cloak-like clothing during the Chosun Dynasty (1392-1910) whenever they went out in public. Although shaped like a ch'ima, it was about 30 centimeters shorter and somewhat narrower. Depending on the season, it either had two layers or was patched with cotton. The white collar could be pinched in to hide ones face when a male approached.

Undergarments

Women would sometimes wear several layers of undergarments. Sok ch'ima (similar to petticoats) helped give a female's hanbok a fuller appearance.

References

Life in Local, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.lifeinkorea.com/culture/clothes/clothes.cfm

Antique Alive. Hanbok (Traditional Korean Clothing) – a beautiful cultural treasure worn on the body. Retrieved from http://www.antiquealive.com/Blogs/Hanbok_Traditional_Korean_Clothing.html