Who could forget the iconic story of Beauty and the Beast? Originally “La Belle et la Bête”, the French tale is not identical to the Disney story that most of know and remember fondly. However, both are equally intriguing and make for a great story. Fairytales in general, contrary to popular assumption, were not created for children but rather adults. They were meant to convey poignant significance to adults in a seemingly benign way, so next time you encounter an authentic fairytale and plan on reading it to some small young one, consider what value it amy have for you. After all, you are the true audience!
If there was ever an image that was entirely symbolic of the prolific narrative of Beauty and the Beast, it would have to be the Enchanted Rose. So special, it is the sun and center of all activity of the fiction by which the events revolve around. It is this rose that the beautiful sorceress, in the guise of an ugly witch, gives to the beast in her rage at his lack of hospitality and rejection of her due to her appearance. The rose reflects the inner beauty and significance of mankind, something the beast has forsaken.
It is this rose that slowly drops one petal after the other, methodically so, as the beast must repair his heart and nurse it into health. It is the same rose that Belle (the beauty) seeks to admire and cherish, being that her heart is so pure, she sees its value. Yet even the ugly beast can see the rose’s splendor and appreciate it, although sullenly due to his disposition.
Embrace the implications of this classic fairytale, the significance of purity of heart and the beauty of not only outer but inner aesthetics that is represented in the elegant bloom of a rose…an Enchanted Rose at that.
