The Ceremony Of The Roses
Chapter 4
A/N: Well. Here's the next chapter. I'm sorry for it taking so long for me to update. I know that you guys wanted more. . .especially a person that has me on their "Favorite Author's" list. Thank you so much for putting me on that. . .I feel so special now! *sheds a tear, then sniffles, and smiles* Anyway, have fun reading this!
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, or any of it's characters, and this idea of the ceremony of the roses, came from the website:
A/N: Go there if you want to know where I got the idea from! And I will have a description of what the symbolism of this ceremony means at the end of this chapter!
` ` ` ` `
The next morning, they pluck the petals off of the roses, and place them in a jar. Trowa gently hugs Quatre as they do this, and seal it tightly. "In our love, Quatre. . ."
"In our love, Trowa" The blonde replies back, turning to the Heavyarms pilot, and giving him a hug. He still had on the collar, which he would wear from this time on. . .only in the presence of his love though. Not in the presence of anyone else. . .as went their contract.
They then kiss, completing the ceremony of their bonding. . .completing the coming together of their souls.
` ` ` ` `
A/N: That's it. I'm sorry that this chapter was so short. . .and here is the symbolism of the elements that were used in the ceremony.
` ` ` ` `
The Symbolism Revealed The significance of the roses: The white rose, still not in full bloom, symbolizes his submission. The white color represents the purity of his gift, while the still slightly closed petals show that his submission has not come into full bloom. It never will. Submission is ever deepening, ever growing and the submissive will never reach a place where he cannot open a bit more for his Dominant. The red rose, almost fully open, signifies his dominance. The red represents his passion and desire to posses and protect her at all costs, though it may require him to spill his blood to do so. The rose is almost in full bloom to symbolize that he is ready and mature enough to accept the responsibilities required of him. The significance of passing the collar though the flames: In older times, the collar would have been made of metal and heated to a glow and plunged into cold water to temper it after it was burned of all impurities. This action symbolized the removing of all impurities from the circle of ownership provided by the Dominant. All outside influences are burned away in the heat of his desire to protect and defend his submissive. The tempering of the metal that takes place when plunged into cold water shows the strengthening of their commitment by submersion into the waters of life. Today we only symbolize this by passing the collar quickly though the flame, taking care not to damage it.
(Note: The use of an alcohol burner in place of a candle prevents any carbon residue from getting on the collar, although there will probably be none if the action is performed quickly enough.) The significance of the blood: Pricking the finger of the submissive is symbolic of taking his virginity. He has shed blood to give himself completely to him. The drops on the white rose also speak of the same thing. In pricking his own finger, the dominant shows his willingness to shed his blood to protect and defend him by virtue of his ownership. The drops on her rose show that vividly; the drop that falls on his blood covers it and blends with it, thus indicating their union. Pressing the wounds from the thorns together allows their blood to mix, joining them as stongly as their own family blood-lines. They are now of the same flesh and blood. Exchanging the roses is symbolic of their gift of themselves to each other. The significance of the chain: The chain is a series of links that represent all the events that have led them to be joined. Each one interlocks with another to complete the chain. Passing it through the flame symbolizes the purification of all the events in their time together as well as their pasts. All bad things are burned away into forgetfulness and only the good remains. Wrapping the chain around them gives a visual image of the binding together of two souls into one. This chain is never used for anything again, other than in a similar ceremony by the person who receives this chain as a gift. They are often passed down for decades or even centuries and are honored by those fortunate enough to receive such a gift. The significance of the petals: The mixture of the petals signifies the mixing and blending of their lives. Couples often keep them in a decorative jar, once the petals have dried completely. Upon death, a portion of those petals are placed with the body to show a bond that will extend beyond the grave. Many legends are told of roses that have sprung up on the graves of couples who have loved so strongly during their physical lifetime that even in death they sent back evidence of their everlasting love in the form of roses that bloom again on the graves. Copyright©1998 Castle Realm
Chapter 4
A/N: Well. Here's the next chapter. I'm sorry for it taking so long for me to update. I know that you guys wanted more. . .especially a person that has me on their "Favorite Author's" list. Thank you so much for putting me on that. . .I feel so special now! *sheds a tear, then sniffles, and smiles* Anyway, have fun reading this!
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, or any of it's characters, and this idea of the ceremony of the roses, came from the website:
A/N: Go there if you want to know where I got the idea from! And I will have a description of what the symbolism of this ceremony means at the end of this chapter!
` ` ` ` `
The next morning, they pluck the petals off of the roses, and place them in a jar. Trowa gently hugs Quatre as they do this, and seal it tightly. "In our love, Quatre. . ."
"In our love, Trowa" The blonde replies back, turning to the Heavyarms pilot, and giving him a hug. He still had on the collar, which he would wear from this time on. . .only in the presence of his love though. Not in the presence of anyone else. . .as went their contract.
They then kiss, completing the ceremony of their bonding. . .completing the coming together of their souls.
` ` ` ` `
A/N: That's it. I'm sorry that this chapter was so short. . .and here is the symbolism of the elements that were used in the ceremony.
` ` ` ` `
The Symbolism Revealed The significance of the roses: The white rose, still not in full bloom, symbolizes his submission. The white color represents the purity of his gift, while the still slightly closed petals show that his submission has not come into full bloom. It never will. Submission is ever deepening, ever growing and the submissive will never reach a place where he cannot open a bit more for his Dominant. The red rose, almost fully open, signifies his dominance. The red represents his passion and desire to posses and protect her at all costs, though it may require him to spill his blood to do so. The rose is almost in full bloom to symbolize that he is ready and mature enough to accept the responsibilities required of him. The significance of passing the collar though the flames: In older times, the collar would have been made of metal and heated to a glow and plunged into cold water to temper it after it was burned of all impurities. This action symbolized the removing of all impurities from the circle of ownership provided by the Dominant. All outside influences are burned away in the heat of his desire to protect and defend his submissive. The tempering of the metal that takes place when plunged into cold water shows the strengthening of their commitment by submersion into the waters of life. Today we only symbolize this by passing the collar quickly though the flame, taking care not to damage it.
(Note: The use of an alcohol burner in place of a candle prevents any carbon residue from getting on the collar, although there will probably be none if the action is performed quickly enough.) The significance of the blood: Pricking the finger of the submissive is symbolic of taking his virginity. He has shed blood to give himself completely to him. The drops on the white rose also speak of the same thing. In pricking his own finger, the dominant shows his willingness to shed his blood to protect and defend him by virtue of his ownership. The drops on her rose show that vividly; the drop that falls on his blood covers it and blends with it, thus indicating their union. Pressing the wounds from the thorns together allows their blood to mix, joining them as stongly as their own family blood-lines. They are now of the same flesh and blood. Exchanging the roses is symbolic of their gift of themselves to each other. The significance of the chain: The chain is a series of links that represent all the events that have led them to be joined. Each one interlocks with another to complete the chain. Passing it through the flame symbolizes the purification of all the events in their time together as well as their pasts. All bad things are burned away into forgetfulness and only the good remains. Wrapping the chain around them gives a visual image of the binding together of two souls into one. This chain is never used for anything again, other than in a similar ceremony by the person who receives this chain as a gift. They are often passed down for decades or even centuries and are honored by those fortunate enough to receive such a gift. The significance of the petals: The mixture of the petals signifies the mixing and blending of their lives. Couples often keep them in a decorative jar, once the petals have dried completely. Upon death, a portion of those petals are placed with the body to show a bond that will extend beyond the grave. Many legends are told of roses that have sprung up on the graves of couples who have loved so strongly during their physical lifetime that even in death they sent back evidence of their everlasting love in the form of roses that bloom again on the graves. Copyright©1998 Castle Realm