It’s because of a chemical called anthocyanin and how it absorbs or reflects sunlight.
And why am I talking about roses?
Because it’s Valentine’s Day.
Roses (especially red ones) have been associated with Valentine’s Day for centuries. But the history of the rose is far older than the history of the holiday. Read on for some rose-related trivia.
- Roses have been found in fossil records dating back 35 million years. They were first cultivated 5,000 years ago, in China.
- The Victorians associated the colours of roses with specific attributes—yellow for friendship (or infidelity, according to some sources), orange for desire and pink for gratitude.
- Red roses represent love and romance, but they’re also a symbol of secrecy.
- The Romans used roses as confetti and for medicines and perfume.
- It takes 2,000 roses to make one gram of the rose oil used in perfumes.
- Rose water doesn’t need so many. Just 3 quarts of rose petals can get you at least a pint of rose water. And you can make your own.
- Someone who grows roses is called a rosarian.
“Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” American satirist and journalist Franklin P. Jones, 1908–1980