Which Flowers Did King Tamar Love? The Secret of the Rose from Georgia's Golden Age
Which flowers did King Tamar love? The secret of the rose from Georgia's Golden Age
We may know what King Tamar looked like, where she lived, and how she ruled Georgia, but do we know which flower she loved the most?
Imagine 12th-century Georgia — magnificent palaces, royal halls, poets, music, and an era of cultural flourishing.
The country is ruled by King Tamar — a woman whose name, even centuries later, is associated with Georgia's strength, wisdom, and beauty.
Yet history missed one seemingly minor detail.
Which flower would bring joy to King Tamar? A red rose, a delicate violet, or some other flower?
To find the answer, we must return to Georgia's Golden Age.
A Secret Not Preserved in Historical Sources
King Tamar ruled Georgia in the years 1184–1213. The period of her reign is considered one of the most significant eras of the country's political and cultural ascent.
Numerous historical chronicles were written about Tamar. We know about her political decisions, the royal court, and the significant events of the epoch.
However, reliable historical sources known to us do not provide a specific answer as to which flower King Tamar loved the most.
Therefore, claiming that her favorite flower was necessarily a red rose would not be historically justified.
Yet right here begins the most interesting part of our story.
Even though we have no exact information about Tamar's personal taste, the Georgian literature of her era is remarkably rich in flowers and their symbolic meanings.
And among them, a special place belongs to the rose.
The Rose — The Flower That Blossomed in the Literature of Georgia's Golden Age
It is perhaps no coincidence that in Shota Rustaveli's immortal poem "The Knight in the Panther's Skin", the rose is one of the most prominent symbols.
Rustaveli does not describe merely external beauty through the rose.
For him, this flower is a means of expressing love, joy, parting, longing, and the human inner world.
Let us recall the famous words from the poem:
„See how soon the lack of sun leaves its mark upon the rose!“
What a wonderful comparison!
Just as a rose needs sunlight, so does a human being need love and warmth.
In Rustaveli's poem, the rose sometimes personifies human beauty, sometimes the pain brought by love, and sometimes hope and renewal.
From this we can see how profound a significance the artistic image of the flower held in the Georgian culture of King Tamar's era.
However, this does not mean that we can determine Tamar's favorite flower based on the poem.
A Fresco in Vardzia and the Real Face of King Tamar
One of the most impressive monuments of Georgia's Golden Age is Vardzia.
The rock-hewn monastery complex, its halls, and murals still remind us of the immense cultural heritage of that era.
It is in Vardzia's Church of the Dormition that one of the oldest depictions of King Tamar has survived.
An interesting detail is that in this fresco, Tamar holds not a bouquet of flowers, but a model of the church.
The monarch's royal vestments, crown, and historical image have reached us, but not the name of her favorite flower.
Sometimes the most enchanting secret of history is precisely the detail that was not preserved in writing.
Only the Rose? The Symbol of the Violet in Georgian Literature as Well
Along with the rose, the violet also appears in the old Georgian poetic realm.
In "The Knight in the Panther's Skin" we read:
„Unbeholding of the sun's rays, the violet withers, the rose fades.“
In this line, the imagery of the two flowers is tied to love, longing, and the need for light.
Even for today's reader, this feeling is easy to understand: sometimes a single little flower says more than a long letter.
That is why the tradition of giving flowers still maintains a special emotional significance today.
What Kind of Bouquet Would Suit King Tamar Today?
Let us step away from historical facts for a moment into the world of imagination.
Imagine a modern florist being tasked with creating a bouquet for King Tamar.
What would this arrangement look like?
Perhaps roses would hold the central place in it — flowers that have maintained their significance as a symbol of beauty and love for centuries.
Red roses to express intense feeling and love.
White roses — with the association of respect and purity.
And delicate pink flowers would add gentleness and lightness to the composition.
Such a bouquet would not be a historical reconstruction. It would be a modern florist's creative interpretation, inspired by Tamar's era and Georgian literature.
Why Do We Still Give Roses to Express Love Today?
Centuries have changed.
Palaces, attire, lifestyles, and the forms of giving gifts have also changed.
Yet one thing has remained almost unchanged — the human desire to express one's feelings through something beautiful.
Even today, a bouquet of roses is given to declare love, express gratitude, celebrate a birthday, or simply to bring joy to a loved one.
Sometimes, no special occasion is even needed.
This is precisely where old Georgian poetry and modern floristry meet — both strive to convey the beauty of love.
The Story of Roses Continues at Lilat Flowers
For us at Lilat Flowers, a flower is not just a beautiful gift.
It is an emotion that one person shares with another.
When creating each arrangement, we strive to convey through flowers what is sometimes difficult to express in words.
If the story of roses has inspired you as well, discover our rose bouquet collection or choose flowers in Tbilisi for someone dear to you.
Lilat Flowers offers flower delivery in Tbilisi from 60 minutes.
Lilat Flowers — for unforgettable impressions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which flower did King Tamar love?
There is no known reliable historical record regarding King Tamar's favorite flower. In the Georgian literature of her era, however, the rose holds a special place.
What significance did the rose have in "The Knight in the Panther's Skin"?
In Shota Rustaveli's poem, the rose is a symbol of love, beauty, longing, parting, and renewal.
Which flowers are found in old Georgian poetry?
The prominent floral images of Georgian poetry are the rose and the violet. They are frequently used to express human feelings and beauty.
Where can you order a rose bouquet in Tbilisi?
At Lilat Flowers, you can choose a bouquet of roses in various colors and styles and take advantage of flower delivery in Tbilisi.