 'The  carnation,  scientifically known as  Dianthus caryophyllus, is a   historically rich  and meaningful flower  choice.  With its scientific   name dianthus  roughly translating to  "flower of love" or "flower of  the  gods",  depending on the source, this  flower is one that has been  revered  for  centuries.  One of the world's  oldest cultivated flowers'
'The  carnation,  scientifically known as  Dianthus caryophyllus, is a   historically rich  and meaningful flower  choice.  With its scientific   name dianthus  roughly translating to  "flower of love" or "flower of  the  gods",  depending on the source, this  flower is one that has been  revered  for  centuries.  One of the world's  oldest cultivated flowers'  
If you give someone a red  carnation it can also mean  'your heart  aches for you'.I  have been surrounded with  the Iranian  culture since I played with  Barbie.
For some reason I  feel connected  to this mystical and  captivating culture.
Strangely,  I feel much  more comfortable being in  a room surrounded by tons of  Iranians than I  do in a room full of  Germans. (Yes, I am German!)
'Media  Mafia'  feeds the world with these headlines:
- Two Iranian teens, two reactions to  their  father's jailing Wed  31, 2010
- Obama  demands deadline for Iran Wed Mar 31,  2010
- Iran building two more nuclear  enrichment  plants Mon 28, 2010
- Iran-New  wave of blogger  arrests     Mon Mar 22, 2010
- Reformist newspapers banned in  Iran Mon 1,  2010
- Iran says the  world 'will regret' sanctions  Tue 16, 2010
- Clinton warns Iran of becoming a military   dictatorship Mon 15, 2010
I can honestly  tell you the   picture is far bigger and more complicated than you think.
Tehran   was  more liberal in the 70's than West Berlin.
Emancipated Iranian    women walked around in short skirts, high heels, showing their   beautiful  thick dark hair.
The country had just as many 'Hippies' as   any other  liberal country did.
People were
  free!

In    1979 the 'Islamic Regime' kidnapped this 
freedom.
I do not want to get into the reasons why    the revolution started. I don't know enough about this certain event  but   I can assure you that the Western World especially a certain  country   which likes to call itself 'World Leader' had it's involvement  in this  dramatic historical event.
It is not my intention to only  blame  the  U.S for this happening. As I truly believe that the Islamic   Regime  wouldn't be in power without support from the Iranian  population.*
Again,   it's hard to judge from someone like me who  lives outside Iran and by   descent contains no Iranian blood.
My  purpose is to bring this   intriguing culture a 
little closer to you;  to understand that these people are   truly beautiful.
You can spot  an Iranian woman with her immaculate   threaded eyebrows. (I am so  envious! I am blond, hence I do not have any   eyebrows.)
Her eyes  remind me of a Persian cat (Oldest breed in the   world and bloody  expensive.)
She will play a little bit too much  with  her make up  and hair but I can forgive her, she can still pull it  off!  She doesn't  eat much because as in any other culture she thinks  that  being a size  zero is pretty. Personally, I couldn't be skinny in  Iran. I  would eat  Polow, Khorest and Kebab every single day. I actually  gained a  lot of  weight when I went five years ago. Everywhere you go an Iranian Mommy will hunt you down placing all  different kinds of Persian food on your plate even though the plate is already covered with food. (Trust me you cannot escape!)
Let's get back to the Persian girl. She doesn't  speak openly  about  her emotions. She is raised to think that a real  lady keeps her   problems to herself. (Hmm??!) She is all about grace.
If  she is wealthy  you will never see her ears and fingers
 au naturel.  (Diamonds are a  Persian's girls best friend)
She has the power to  death stare you   but (a tip for you) just give her a sincere, warm  glimpse and her eyes   will start to smile.
Iranian men are a  different topic. Because of   their supreme complexity they  actually  deserve a whole blog on their   own. (Yep, I have dated a few!)
Shortly  cut...! Do not ever  touch  the pride of an Iranian man you will loose  him forever but most of   the time he looses himself in that pride.
I  remember as it was   yesterday. Visiting many families in Tehran,  Shomal and Isfahan. Their homes were all furnished with Persian  carpets, glass tables  and mirrors and they aired with the fragrant aroma of fruits and nuts fusing together, children running around grabbing  everyone's attention, gossiping ladies sitting on the sofa and quiet husbands smoking a cigarette.
I  have been warmly greeted by  everyone. A  lot of kisses and hugging!  Saying 'goodbye' can actually  consume a  whole hour.
I felt accepted! I  know that Iranian's can be  very good  actors because it's in their  culture to be polite. Frankly,  even if  they acted I appreciated the  effort, it felt like home to me.
When   you come to Iran you will feel  sorrow. You watch how people are   trapped in their homes. You cannot  simply hang around at Starbucks and   go shopping at H&M. The  Cafe's are uncomfortable and the religious   police (Committee)  can come any minute and ruin your fun. It is far   more entertaining to  meet at a friend's or relative's house, listen to   Gogoosh or Iranian  Rap, have a cup of black tea and page through the   Book of Hafez.  (Persian Poet/Philosopher 13??-1390)
Oh yes,   Iranian's are thinkers. I like to  compare them to the old Greeks.
Every Iranian I have met until now is a  little bit of a Philosopher.
In   conclusion I can tell you I have  fallen in love with Iran. Persian   culture is one of the oldest cultures  in the world. Their poetry is   magic, their songs are sung by the most  beautiful language in the   world, the streets are walked by 'thinkers',  prayers lie in the  air  and sadness covers the scatter of the Islamic Revolution.
My Dear   Iran I send you a red  Carnation.
Insh'Allah *   In order for me to be politically correct I need to   mention that some Iranians don't believe in Westernization and are  content with the   Islamic Regime. The Shah made his mistakes, too. But   what is a life worth living without freedom!?!
*   In order for me to be politically correct I need to   mention that some Iranians don't believe in Westernization and are  content with the   Islamic Regime. The Shah made his mistakes, too. But   what is a life worth living without freedom!?!
Check   this website out to learn more about the Persian culture   http://www.iranchamber.com