It’s no surprise at all that the rose is the queen of all flowers. Roses are the queen of all flowers because they’re a good choice for many all special occasions. It is the most popular floral name used for baby girls and is the most in-demand flower around the world!
Roses (especially the rose petals) have a wide range of uses from ornamental, to culinary, to cosmetic, and even medicinal! The flowers are truly love at first sight and each of the many rose colors has its own powerful symbol.
The rose color meaning and symbolism sometimes depends on the shade of color. For starters, a white or black rose means innocence or rebirth. Other colors such red, blue, pink, or purple symbolizes passion, good health, young love, and magic. A yellow, orange, or green rose represents jealousy, fascination, and a surprise.
Growing Roses in your garden is very simple yet rewarding with its beauty – time to have these thorny flowering plants in your garden!
History of Rose Flowers
Roses are one of the most historic flowers in the world of plants – dates as far back as 35 million years ago! It wasn’t until the 12th century that these beauties were first described. The rose is a perennial prickly shrub or small tree with pinnate leaves famously cultivated for its showy fragrant flowers.
It is a family member of the Rosa genus from the Rosaceae or Rose family. The genus name Rosa was taken from an Old English word Rōse and the Greek word Rhódon meaning rose. Some people say the rhododendron is a bigger tree version of the rose! There are 100 species in various colors of these beautiful flowers.
Roses are primarily native to temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Most of the other types of rose are distributed in Asia and North America while some are found in Europe and Northwest Africa.
There are two major species rising to the top – the Damask rose (Rosa x damascena) and the Rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa). The rose is so popular that there isn’t any other name for it! And since there are several species, varieties, and cultivars, the rose is grouped into multiple classes.
These classes include hybrid tea, hybrid perpetual, polyantha, floribunda, and grandiflora roses. Other minor classes also include climbing, shrub, and miniature roses.
Rose Symbolism
Roses are iconic flowers and are the universal symbol of love because it was popularized during the most romantic time of the year – Valentine’s Day. In the United States alone, around 30 million stems of roses are sold per year! It can be given on any day or occasion because roses symbolize romantic feelings – especially feelings of love and romance.
Since it can symbolize love and passion, two roses given to a loved one is symbolic of mutual love and affection. Although William Shakespeare decided this symbolism was too cliché so he used the use to symbolize the hurt in love and the loss of time when in love.
During the Roman era, Roses were symbolic of victory, pride, and triumph – especially for gladiators and warriors from war or fights. For the Romans, this was also a blossom of Venus, the ultimate blossom of love.
Similarly, there is a special symbolic meaning for bouquets or garlands of Roses. A beautifully arranged bouquet of roses symbolize gratitude while a garland symbolizes joyous rewards. Meanwhile, a single stem is symbolic of completion, perfection, and new beginnings.
Additionally, Roses are the designated birth month flowers of June.
Meaning of Rose Flowers
The beautiful different meanings behind roses is just as awe-inspiring as its symbolism. In the language of flowers, the distinct meaning of a rose is sweet delicacy and timeless beauty. Although not all the many meanings for this flower are quite pretty as it may seem.
Famously dubbed as a flower that represents happy love, roses mean anxiety and worry too – probably for a love not reciprocated! Aside from this, each rose color symbolizes something different!
Fresh roses are either single colored roses or multicolored roses – and each rose color meanings is quite special. Here is a list of those colors and what each means.
What does a White Rose Flower Mean?
White rose flowers or ivory roses are as gracious and radiant as when they first bloomed. These white flowers typically embody floral charm and innocence.
What does a Red Rose Blossom Symbolize?
Red roses are by far the most popular and highly demanded flowers in the world. And it comes in different shades. You have darker hue or dark red roses and burgundy roses which symbolize unconscious beauty
Its deep color and the luscious fragrance is symbolic of a deep love, an eternal love, and deep feelings. These roses represent love and passion or – love passion.
What does a Blue Rose Floret Represent?
Although uncommon for the color of roses, this blue color speaks of achieving the almost impossible and the mystery of adventures! Blue roses also represent good fortune and protection according to Chinese culture.
What does a Yellow Rose Bloom Bloom Indicate?
A yellow rose flower is often taken as a seal of friendship and the remembrance of such happy moments. In some cases during the Victorian era, yellow roses represent jealousy and an unrequited love.
What does an Orange Rose Flower Symbolize?
Orange roses are a burst of warmth and welcome when in bloom. It is symbolic of pure fascination and genuine happiness. Quite surprisingly, an orange rose is all about making a secret remain confidential.
What does a Pink Rose Blossom Mean?
Pink roses are the second most popular color for this flower. And again, it doesn’t just come in one shade of the color pink. There are light pink roses and peach roses!
Its preppy color and radiance ooze of desire, enthusiasm, and passion! It is also a means to express gratitude and represent young love.
What does a Purple Rose Floret Indicate?
Purple roses or lavender roses depict the mysteries hidden within flowers. The color purple for this flower indicates floral enchantment and magic.
What does a Black Rose Bloom Represent?
Black roses aren’t at all as loved nor popular as the other floral colors. It is a flower representing death and farewell. On a positive note, these flowers are also often associated with or symbolize rebirth.
What does a Green Rose Flower Mean?
Green roses are just as uncommon and rare as the black ones. It ideally means unusual or surprising.
What is the Cultural Significance of a Rose Flower?
In 1840, the first rose collection was launched with over a hundred flowers in numerous colors and forms. The flowers were on display in the Victoria arboretum and in the Abney Park cemetery for many to see. Today, this cemetery is now a public park and is one of the magnificent seven cemeteries in London.
Romanian culture has a special custom when it comes to freshly bloomed roses. Fresh flowers were picked and placed on doors where confidential meetings were held. This tradition gave rise to the famous term Sub rosa which meant under the rose – indicating what is now a metaphor for keeping something secret or hidden.
What is the Biblical Meaning of a Rose Blossom?
The Bible and Church regard special meanings and symbolism for the rose. The Christian Church believes it is a flower sacred to the Holy Mother Mary. The rose is Mary without the thorns symbolizing her exemption from the consequences of sin.
According to a Christian legend, Mary was believed to be appreciating the flower’s sweet scent when Jesus was conceived. Other legends believe that this flower was a Christian symbol of martyrdom (red roses) and purity (white roses).
Similar to Greek mythology, roses were once thornless. During the fall of Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden, roses had no thorns and that its scent now represents the forgone paradise of man.
What is the Spiritual Influence of a Rose Floret?
Roses have a special magic power – especially purple Roses! The presence of roses influences a mind full of negative thoughts and improves emotional mood swings. It offers a sense of cleansing and emotional healing for those full of doubt.
To hang roses upside down has been popular in various cultures. It has a captivating spiritual power wherein it helps foster a deeper connection of the spirit to the spiritual realm.
Roses also promote healing and balance of important spiritual chakra and energy flow. It radiates feelings of relaxation and frees the spirit from the troubles of daily life. When situations are stressful and traumatic, this flower calms and stabilizes erratic emotions and thoughts.
Red roses have a unique spiritual enchantment. Such flowers promote stronger love and union between couples as not only partners but also friends. Similarly, it will also attract the union of the body and soul. Such Roses will also help in keeping an open mind and heart to the beauty and bounty of the Earth.
What are the Folktales Associated with a Rose Bloom?
As most fairytales go, the tales date back to ancient times. During Roman times, the rose is associated as the flower of the goddess of love Venus – only bearing white petals. The myth says that roses only turned a crimson red when the goddess accidentally pricked herself on a bush.
Another Roman myth tells the tale about how roses got their thorns. According to the myth, Venus’ son, Cupid was admiring the flower’s beauty and sweet fragrance when a bee appeared and stung his lips! Upset, Venus strung Cupid’s bow with the bee’s stingers and hit the rose’s stem.
Ancient Greeks also have a story to tell about roses. In the mythology, the Greek goddess of flowers, Chloris stumbled upon the body of a dead yet beautiful nymph. Saddened upon her death, the goddess gathered around other gods and goddesses to help turn the nymph into the beautiful rose.
What does a Rose Floral Tattoo Symbolize?
A rose floral tattoo symbolizes the highest level of an individual’s passion. It speaks of the person’s determination and genuine flame one feels towards almost anything in life!
Those who bear this floral beauty on their body wish to represent their inner beauty and achieve balance in life. Similarly, this is also a symbol of their grace and gratitude towards the blessings in life.
Uses of Roses
Rose is a popular choice of plant cultivated for its flowers and delightful fragrance – which just so happens to be affected by climatic conditions. You can find these flowers in food, perfumes, hygiene products, and even in art!
It can be used in any flower arrangement such as wedding arrangements in banquet halls or a simple rose bouquet during romantic occasions for a special someone or loved ones. Arrangements of beautiful roses symbolize true love and roses are the perfect gift to make someone’s day.
For example, the Damask rose is a fantastic choice to source perfume for many cosmetic products. Meanwhile, the Rugosa rose is the ideal choice to create rose hips or rose water rich in vitamin C and is found in many tea infusions because of its calming effects.
According to ancient Greek and Roman practices, rose petals and hips were a great option to use in cooked dishes and preserves in vinegar. The Romans were the first to build hot houses to sustain floral supply all year round. They traditionally claimed the flowers were a perfect choice for important ceremonial purposes.
In the Middle East, roses were the perfect choice of traditional treatment for treating depression and anxiety. Additionally, rose-infused water mixed with honey or other tea leaves has claims to treat various skin ailments.
A word of warning that it’s a must to always consult a medical professional before using this plant or any part of it for medical purposes.
