Language of Flowers: The Color Symbolism of Roses

Roses can communicate a multitude of emotions.

Rose cultivation goes as far back as 5,000 years, according to meaningofroses.com. While red roses are among the most popular, the earliest known rose color was pink. By the mid 19th century, green and yellow roses had escalated in popularity. While color imbues roses with meaning, meaning also stems from the number of roses in a bouquet.

History

It was said that Aphrodite's beauty inspired the creation of the rose.

The Greeks were among the first to associate roses with love and beauty, for they believed that the first roses appeared at Aphrodite's birth as a way for the Earth to match her beauty. The Romans carried on the tradition by making the rose an emblem of Venus. Centuries later, Christian lore stated that roses were initially white and without thorns. When God expelled Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, the rose turned red in mortification and grew thorns as a reminder of the loss of perfection.

Natural Roses

White roses are also known as the "bridal rose."

Mother Nature has produced pink roses longer than any other shade. Because of the soft, blushing shade, pink roses are associated with girlish charm and innocence. According to whatrosesmean.com, dark pink roses mean that the giver is appreciative while pale pink signifies admiration and overall sweetness. Red roses are emblematic of true love and passion, while dark, crimson roses signify that one is in mourning. Sunshine-yellow roses symbolize friendship and good cheer. Nicknamed the "bridal rose," white roses are associated with purity and starry-eyed innocence, making them popular wedding flowers.

Man-Made Roses

Blue roses are among man-made blossoms.

Science has allowed mankind to manipulate the chemical formula of roses, creating colors not organically possible. Blue roses were born by accident in a laboratory. Because of its spontaneous birth, the blue rose has since come to represent mystery and secrecy. Black roses, also not found in nature, signify mourning and sorrow. Despite the profusion of green in the natural world, green roses also had to be chemically bred. The green rose has since come to represent fertility and the hope for new opportunities in life. Before horticulturists were able to grow these unique roses, florists still produced them by dying white roses the desired shade.

Combinations

Red-tipped yellow roses is a sign that a friend wants to become a lover.

Bouquets that use different colored roses communicate more complex meanings. White and red bouquets represent devotion to one's true love, making such combinations popular for brides. Giving yellow roses with red tips is a way for friends to communicate the desire to take the relationship to a more serious stage. Pink roses coupled with red indicate happiness in a current relationship while pink and white roses are a simple expression of joy.

Misconceptions

A dozen red roses indicates one longs to be involved.

Up until the 19th century, all roses in Europe were white, pink or a combination of the two. Red roses became popular when they were brought over from China in the 19th century, according to professorshouse.com. Once red roses became popular, meaning started to become attached to the number in a bouquet. A single rose is a fervent declaration of devotion to someone's one and only love, while a dozen red roses is more of a flirtatious gesture, signaling a desire for a relationship.

References

• Meaning of Roses: History of Rose Symbolism
• Myths Encyclopedia: Flowers in Mythology
• Victorian Bazaar: Rose Symbolism Dictionary