Roses have captivated human civilization for over 5,000 years, with their origins tracing back to ancient Asia, particularly China and the Middle East. The earliest cultivated roses appeared in gardens of the Chinese emperors around 2,700 B.C., while in Mesopotamia and Persia, roses were revered for their beauty and often featured in art, poetry, and royal gardens. Ancient Greeks and Romans adopted roses into their culture, associating them with Aphrodite and Venus—the goddesses of love—and using them in celebrations, medicine, and perfumery.

By the 18th century, rose cultivation spread across Europe, where hybridization flourished, leading to the thousands of varieties we see today. The introduction of repeat-blooming Chinese roses to Europe sparked a gardening revolution, giving rise to the modern hybrid tea rose. Today, roses symbolize love, beauty, and admiration across cultures and remain the world’s most popular flower—whether in elegant bouquets, heirloom gardens, or historical displays of devotion.