MDBCs 12 Jun 2023

People have been using roses to communicate a variety of emotions and feelings since antiquity. The earliest evidence of rose cultivation dates back to about 5000 years ago in China. In ancient Greece and Rome, roses were a luxury item, available only to the rich and the royals, and a muse for painters and writers. Roses were used for medicinal purposes and for religious ceremonies.

The popularity of the rose declined with the spread of Christianity in Europe. It was seen as a symbol of depravity and decadence, vices that did not match up with the puritanical roots of the religion. By the 5th and 6th century CE, the rose had once again caught the fascination of artists, poets and writers in Europe and in the Middle East.

Symbol of War and Love

In the 15th century, factions battling in England over the throne adopted the rose as their symbol. The white rose was the symbol for York and the red rose for Lancaster. The resulting war was called the War of the Roses, which was eventually won by the supporters of the red rose.

Red roses have held a symbolic place in most cultures around the world. In many parts of the world, it is seen as a way to express love, romance, beauty, and respect. Red roses are some of the most popular flowers gifted during holidays like Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. It is also the symbol of social democratic parties in many countries.

In Spanish, French, and Portuguese, rose is the word for red.

How to Celebrate?

Treat yourself or a loved one to a big bunch of red roses.
Learn more about the history and botany of roses.
If you have a garden or a yard, why not take this day to learn more about how to grow red roses?
Spend some time reading about the War of the Roses.

Did You Know...

...that the phrase sub rosa, meaning secrecy, comes from the practice in ancient Rome of leaving a rose outside a door during a confidential meeting? The rose indicated that those in the room did not want to be disturbed.

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Experience is a great teacher, especially when it's someone else's. These examples were submitted to learnfrommyfail.com:

"When trying to compliment your girlfriend, tell her that she is prettier than her sister, not that her sister is uglier than she is."

"Never name a goldfish after your child, or his younger brother might go to school and tell his teacher that Eric died."

"When a coworker calls to say she's going to be late because she 'has to wait for the paramedics,' don't respond, 'Okay. Have fun!'"

"When your boyfriend is rehearsing for a play, don't tell your roommate that he is 'upstairs doing lines.'"

***

A Brooklyn café is charging $12 for a cup of Ethiopian coffee. The drink doesn't have a name, so The Week asked its readers to do the honors.

Mocha Dinero
Cost-a-latte
Brokefest Blend
Excesso
Ka-Ching-accino
Goldbean Sachs
Café au Laitaway

***

The toughest part of applying for a new job is having to explain why you're no longer at your previous one. Here are rationalizations from cover letters that did no one any good:

"My boss thought I could do better elsewhere."

"The company made me a scapegoat, just like my three previous employers."

"Note: Please don't misconstrue my 14 jobs as 'job hopping.' I have never quit a job."

"Responsibilities make me nervous."

***

Before he was deployed to Afghanistan, my brother Ken was lamenting over how many people seemed unaware of the conflict. I had to concede his point when I later mentioned to a neighbor that he was leaving for Afghanistan.

"Really?" he said. "For business or pleasure?"

Communicate Emotions

Symbol of War and Love

How to Celebrate?

Did You Know...

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