Fragrance Of Roses

A Timeless Symbol of Beauty and Love

“A rose is a rose is a rose.” – Gertrude Stein

The word rose instantly evokes beauty, elegance, and fragrance. For centuries, roses have symbolized love, grace, and purity across cultures. Their delicate petals, enchanting perfume, and vibrant colours have inspired poets, artists, and musicians throughout history.

Belonging to the genus Rosa, roses are estimated to be over 30 million years old. They grow naturally in the temperate and subtropical regions of both hemispheres, with more than a hundred wild species known worldwide. Among garden roses, eight species—including Rosa chinensis, Rosa damascena, and Rosa gallica—have played a crucial role in developing modern cultivated varieties.

Evolution of Garden Roses

Roses cultivated before 1800 A.D. differ significantly from those developed later. After 1800, perpetual flowering varieties derived from Rosa chinensis and Rosa gigantea from the Far East revolutionized rose breeding. These led to the development of Noisettes, Bourbons, Tea Roses, and Hybrid Perpetuals.

Tea Roses are admired for their continuous blooms, while Hybrid Perpetuals are celebrated for their large size and rich fragrance.

Today, roses display extraordinary diversity—from simple five-petalled blooms to elaborate exhibition varieties. They range from miniature plants only a few centimeters tall to tall climbers and ramblers that adorn walls and trees with spectacular colour.

Roses in India

In India, several wild rose species grow in the Himalayan region. Although rose cultivation began later compared to Europe, the flower has become deeply embedded in Indian culture. Roses are widely used in gardens, floral decorations, garlands, perfumes, and religious ceremonies.

India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was famously known for wearing a red rose in his buttonhole—further cementing the flower’s association with grace and affection.

Different colours of roses carry symbolic meanings:

• Red rose – Love
• Pink rose – Grace
• White rose – Innocence and purity
• Yellow rose – Friendship or platonic love

Commemorative Stamps – “Fragrance of Roses”

Celebrating the beauty and aroma of this timeless flower, India Post released a set of four scented commemorative postage stamps titled “Fragrance of Roses.” These stamps showcase four remarkable Indian-bred rose varieties, highlighting the country’s achievements in rose cultivation and breeding.

Bhim

A famous Hybrid Tea rose in India, Bhim features camellia-like flat blooms in an attractive mid-red shade. It is free-flowering, with dark semi-glossy foliage, and performs well even during cold nights.

Delhi Princess

An Indian-bred variety, Delhi Princess has cerise-red buds that open into sparkling pink flowers. It grows in clusters and blooms profusely in all weather conditions, making it exceptionally vigorous and popular.

Jawahar

Developed by the Indian Department of Crops and Agriculture, Jawahar is a velvety, creamy-white rose known for its fragrance. It grows in clusters and is valued for bedding and exhibition purposes.

Neelam

Bred by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Neelam is a large silvery-pink bloom with a strong perfume and glossy dark green foliage. It reflects the success of scientific rose breeding in India.

A Tribute in Philately

With the release of these four scented stamps on “Fragrance of Roses,” the Department of Posts beautifully combines fragrance, art, and philately. The stamps celebrate not only the aesthetic charm of roses but also their cultural, historical, and emotional significance in India.

Roses continue to bloom as enduring symbols of love, beauty, and harmony—capturing hearts across generations.