Rose (Rosa): Healing power, symbolism in monastic tradition

The rose, botanically Rosa, is one of the oldest and most important cultivated plants in Europe. It played a prominent role at the Benedictine abbey Werden – not only as an ornamental plant, but also as a medicinal, fragrant, and symbolic plant. To this day, it grows in the herb and medicinal plant garden Werdener, a reminder of the deep connection between monastic gardening, spiritual tradition, and natural healing knowledge.

For the Benedictines, the rose was far more than an aesthetically pleasing object. It was considered a symbol of purity, divine love, and healing—a meaning already found in ancient writings and further developed in the Middle Ages. In monastic medicine, the rose was valued for its calming, cooling, and heart-strengthening properties. The monks regarded it as a "plant of consolation" that addressed both body and soul. Its petals were used to treat inner restlessness, heart ailments, and mental exhaustion. Its gentle effect made it a preferred remedy for sensitive individuals and even children.

In the gardens of Abbey Werden Roses were cultivated with great care. They were given sunny, sheltered locations – often along walls or in specially designed rose beds. The Benedictines ensured nutrient-rich, deep soils and carried out regular pruning to promote flowering. Robust, highly fragrant varieties were particularly prized, as their blossoms dried well and could be processed further. They were often planted in prestigious areas of the monastery, such as near the cloister, where their fragrance and symbolism were especially prominent.

The rose was a versatile medicinal herb used in numerous preparations. Fresh or dried petals served as the basis for teas, oil infusions, ointments, and tinctures. Rosewater was used to soothe irritated skin and alleviate eye ailments. A tea made from rose petals was considered beneficial for nervousness, palpitations, and inner restlessness. Rose honey was administered for coughs and hoarseness, while rose baths were believed to have a harmonizing effect. This wide range of applications made the rose an indispensable part of the monastic pharmacopoeia.

The rose also played a remarkable role in Benedictine cuisine. Rosewater refined desserts, pastries, and drinks. Candied rose petals were considered a special delicacy, and rose petal jam was valued both as a treat and a remedy. Even rose vinegar was used—as an aromatic ingredient and simultaneously as a gentle medicine.

The scent of roses was omnipresent in the monastery. The monks used them for ointments, creams, scented sachets, and incense, especially on feast days. Their aroma was considered purifying, uplifting, and comforting, and was frequently used in room fragrance blends intended to create a peaceful atmosphere. No other plant was as closely associated with Christian symbolism as the rose. Red roses represented the suffering of Christ, white roses the purity of Mary. The tradition of the rosary—originally made of rose petals—is a direct legacy of this spiritual significance. For the Benedictines, the rose uniquely combined beauty, faith, and healing.

The monks produced a wide variety of products from roses: rose water, rose oil, ointments, teas, fragrance blends, tinctures, and rose honey. This diversity demonstrates how deeply the rose was integrated into monastic life – as a remedy, fragrance, culinary ingredient, and spiritual symbol.

Even today, the rose remains an integral part of natural cosmetics, aromatherapy, and historical gardens. In the Werdener Herb and Medicinal Plant Garden, it evokes the centuries-old tradition of the Benedictines, who revered the rose as a plant of beauty, healing, and spiritual depth. Its timeless symbolism and gentle healing power continue to make it one of the most significant plants in European cultural history. Like no other flower, the rose is an expression of perfection, beauty, and love.