“Loulan Rose” most commonly refers to a modern Japanese rose variety, but the name is also shared by a famous archaeological discovery and a fictional character.
1. The Loulan Rose (Flower)
The Loulan (also known by the registration name KIMlitschi) is a Floribunda rose bred by Takunori Kimura in Japan in 2022. It is popular for its delicate aesthetic and is often used in interior decoration.
- Appearance: It features pink, cupped, round blooms that open into a very full rosette form with over 41 petals.
- Fragrance: It has a moderate, refreshing tea scent.
- Growth: The plant is compact, reaching a height of 90 to 120 cm, and it blooms in flushes throughout the season.
- Adaptability: It is known for its ability to retain its petals for long periods and is suitable for warm climates like Singapore.
2. The “Beauty of Loulan” (Archaeology)
The term is frequently associated with the Beauty of Loulan, one of the most famous Tarim mummies.
- Discovery: Found in 1980 in the Taklamakan Desert, China, she lived approximately 4,000 years ago during the Bronze Age.
- Condition: Her preservation was entirely natural due to the dry, salty desert environment, leaving her eyelashes and hair remarkably intact.
- Ancestry: DNA testing revealed that she had significant European genetic markers, suggesting ancient migrations from Central Asia or Siberia.
3. Loulan in Fiction
In the series The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto), Loulan (also known as Shisui) is a complex character known for her shifting persona, love of insects, and tragic family backstory.
