The term bòcolo in Venetian dialect refers to a rosebud and, on this day, it’s customary for men to present a red rosebud to the significant women in their lives — be it wives, fiancées, mothers, or sisters — as a symbol of enduring love and admiration. The origins of the tradition are quite enigmatic: an early 9th century legend says that Maria, the daughter of Doge Angelo Partecipazio, fell deeply in love with Tancredi, a humble troubadour. Aware that her father would disapprove of their union due to social disparities, Maria urged Tancredi to join Charlemagne’s army in Spain, hoping that his valor in battle would elevate his status. Tancredi, however, was mortally wounded near a rose garden during the battle of Roncevaux and, in his final moments, he plucked a white rose, stained it with his blood, and entrusted it to his friend Orlando to deliver to Maria. Upon receiving the blood-tinted rose, Maria was overcome with grief and died on April 25th, the crimsoned rosebud resting on her heart. It is to honor Tancredi and Maria’s love that people in Venice exchange red roses on the day of St. Mark.
Another legend associates the bòcolo tradition directly to St. Mark, more precisely, to a rose garden that grew beside his tomb. A plant from it was gifted to Basilio, a sailor from Giudecca, who planted it in his home’s garden, where it marked the boundary between his two sons’ properties. Family disputes caused the rose to cease blooming for many years, until a young woman and a young man from the feuding branches of the family fell in love with one another, mending the family rift. After that, Basilio’s rose bloomed again. In memory of this reconciliatory love, Venetians still present a red rosebud to their loved ones each April 25th.
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