Any other military order who chose a flower to represent their highest ranking members would be laughed at - so why did they do so?
-
2What makes you believe they'd be laughed at?– Matt GuttingApr 22, 2015 at 15:17
-
2Flowers (and plants) have many different symbolic meanings, well beyond the obvious "looks pretty and smells nice". Many of these symbolisms are well suited to the military. Roses in particular have enormous religious symbolism in Western tradition.– Joe L.Apr 22, 2015 at 15:34
-
Maybe somthing cool would be better? Like Grand-Dragon or Grand-Wizard? Google either of those two titles and see what hits you get. Names aren't everything.– DaftApr 22, 2015 at 15:39
-
3"Any other military order who chose a flower [...] would be laughed at" I'm guessing you've never heard of the fleur-de-lis?– TylerHApr 22, 2015 at 16:06
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
The rose has a lot of symbolic meaning throughout history.
- Love
- Honor
- Faith
- Beauty
- Balance
- Passion
- Wisdom
- Intrigue
- Devotion
- Sensuality
- Timelessness
Knights of the Rose, being the highest order, could easily want to embody a number of these symbols, such as Honor, Balance, Wisdom, Devotion, and Timelessness.
The Order of the Rose has always been the most prestigious branch of the Knights of Solamnia. The Rose Knights provide leaders, lawgivers, and exemplars to the Solamnic Knights and the world, guiding others on the path of honor by word and deed alike.
The Measure of the Rose focuses on Wisdom and Justice. DragonLance Nexus
Not sure what it is from originally, but the alternate DragonLance Nexus has this to say
Legends hold that, at the end of his Quest of Honor, Vinas Solamnus knelt in the Whitestone Glade, on Sancrist, and received the investiture by the three gods of the Knighthood, Paladine, Kiri-Jolith and Habbakhuk. When he raised, he saw a beautiful rose of gold blowing in the spot he had been kneeling. He so decided to name the highest Order of the knighthood in this way, to remind Solamnia of this sign of divine favour: and so Paladine took the golden rose, and gave it to King Vinas, who embossed it on his ancient plate armour, over his heart. From then on, the Grand Plate of the Rose has been the armour rightfully owned by the High Justice of the Order; sadly, in the days following the Cataclysm, it was lost.
answered Apr 22, 2015 at 15:41
-
I believe that last quote is from Knights of the Rose, #5 in the Warriors series, by Roland J. Green. I'm not sure if I have the book out of storage at home to check it or not.– TylerHApr 22, 2015 at 16:11