Scenting the Waters

Rosewater and Rose Oil... more

by Shirley Sirois

Title

Scenting the Waters

Artist

Shirley Sirois

Medium

Photograph - Photographs

Description

Rosewater and Rose Oil

For centuries the rose has been highly valued by many cultures not only for its beauty and perfume but also for its profound healing properties on both a physical and psychological level. Rosewater and rose oil were used in the traditional medicines of China, India, Assyria, Egypt, Greece and Rome.

The exact origin of rosewater and rose oil production was never recorded in history. However,
the existence of rosewater can be traced as far back as 1200BC to the Mycenaean city of Pilos where it was traded commercially.

Rosewater preceded the discovery of rose oil and was used for centuries before the oil or attar was first produced. The most romantic tale of the origin of rose attar has to be the story of the Emperor Djihanguyr, who ordered the fountains and canals in the royal gardens to be filled with rosewater to celebrate his wedding to the princess Nour Djihan. When later walking through the gardens with her husband, the princess noticed that an oily residue had collected on the surface of the water. She ran her fingers through the scented water and was delighted to find that a fragrant oil clung to her hands. From then on the Emperor had it produced and bottled as a tribute to her.

Today there are four main centres in the world where roses are grown for the production of rosewater and rose oil. They are Kazanluk, known as 'The Valley of Roses' in Bulgaria, Isparta in Turkey, Shiraz in Iran and Grasse in the South of France. Each of these regions has its own particular climate and process of distillation. These factors produce a rosewater and rose oil of individuality, rather like wines from different parts of the world. It is the damask rose (Rosa damascena trigunti petala) that is most widely grown. This is the same rose that was used in ancient Persia.

Uploaded

May 3rd, 2014