Roses have been revered for their beauty and fragrance for centuries. They are one of the most popular flowers given as gifts and used for special occasions. Roses come in a rainbow of colors, and the color of a rose can hold special meaning. Gifting a red rose signifies love and romance while white roses symbolize purity and innocence. The rich history of roses and how their colors gained meaning is a fascinating story. In this article, we will explore the meaning behind rose colors and how they came to symbolize these concepts over time. Understanding rose color symbolism allows one to select the perfect rose color to convey specific sentiments and emotions.
Meaning of Red Roses
Red roses are the most classic and beloved rose color. The red rose has taken on powerful symbolic meaning with its gorgeous red shade. Red roses are the definitive symbol for true love and passion. They are the ideal way to convey romantic feelings and affection for a sweetheart or spouse. Red roses have come to symbolize intense devotion and desire between two people. They are perfect for saying “I love you” on Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or just because.
The meaning of red roses became cemented over the centuries. In medieval times, red roses represented the tragic love story of Guinevere and Lancelot. The blood-red color came to signify sacrifice and suffering in the name of true love. Victorian floriography, or the language of flowers, further popularized the symbolism of red roses. Deep red roses were used to convey heartfelt regret and sorrow. By the 18th century, red roses gained popularity as a romantic symbol as well as an aphrodisiac. Today, red roses remain the ultimate expression of romantic love.
Meaning of Pink Roses
Pink roses have warm, gentle symbolic meaning. They convey sweet, feminine energy and a more indirect expression of affection. The pink rose can indicate first love and innocence. It is also an ideal way to show gratitude, appreciation, admiration or sympathy. The soft pink shade rose to popularity as a way to communicate heartfelt emotions without the bold passion of red.
Pink roses first gained significance in North American and European culture. Their soft pink tones embodied gentleness and femininity in contrast to the brazen red rose. In the 19th century, pink roses came to symbolize grace and elegance. Early floriography attributed deep friendship meaning to pink roses. They were said to be given to those one holds dear to their heart when red roses would be too much. In modern times, pink roses continue to be an understated yet meaningful way to show you care.
Meaning of White Roses
White roses evoke pureness, innocence and new beginnings. Their bright white blooms connote purity and spirituality. They are traditionally used in weddings to indicate unity, virtue and the innocence of a new marriage. White roses can also signify young love and everlasting loyalty. Their pristine white shade has come to represent true love that stands the test of time.
During the Victorian era, white roses were dubbed the bridal rose for their association with young love and eternal loyalty. Queen Victoria used white roses and orange blossoms in her wedding bouquet to symbolize this meaning. At the time, white roses were seen as the ultimate expression of true love that would stand the challenges of marriage. Today, brides commonly carry white roses on their wedding day to embody these same concepts. Beyond weddings, white roses are the perfect gift to show loyal love and new beginnings.
Meaning of Yellow Roses
Yellow roses convey joy, warmth and welcome. They are lively, innocent and cheerful. Yellow roses evoke sunny feelings of joy and glee. They are the perfect way to brighten someone’s day and send a smile. Yellow roses also symbolize friendship and caring. Their bright golden blooms add a burst of color that reminds people of the sun on a summer day.
During the Victorian era, yellow roses were thought to represent jealousy for their color resembled a jealous heart. However, in modern times, yellow roses have taken on much warmer symbolism. They came to embody happiness and celebration in place of envy. Yellow roses can also indicate platonic emotions and an innocent, youthful love. Their cheerful image makes them an uplifting gift for friends, family, co-workers, or those needing an extra dose of sunshine.
Meaning of Orange Roses
Orange roses communicate fiery passion and bold romance. Their blazing energy can express intense desire, pride and fervor. Orange roses also symbolize enthusiasm and captivation. They are the perfect way to say, “I’m fascinated by you.” In a more muted tone, orange roses can show support and care. These fiery blooms are sure to get your message across with their burnt orange hues.
Historically, the signature orange color of these roses inspired their meaning. Orange tones have long been associated with flames and fire. The bold, warm shade came to represent passion, excitement and adventure. In the 19th century, wealthy horse enthusiasts began gifting orange roses to express congratulations and honor their companions. The orange rose took on a secondary meaning of pride. Today, they continue to be the ideal complement to convey heartfelt romance, fascination and eagerness.
Meaning of Lavender Roses
Lavender roses convey enchanting, mystical feelings. Their cool purple shade evokes fascination and allure. These roses are an excellent way to show adoration and love at first sight. Lavender roses also embody the uniqueness of the recipient. They are perfect for expressing mystifying and magnetic attraction between two people. Beyond romance, lavender roses show enchanting charm that captures attention.
During Victorian times, the lavender rose was a sign of enchantment and love at first sight. Their unique color spoke to the magical, magnetic attraction between two people. The lavender rose was also thought to indicate their alluring uniqueness in combination with love. In the 1980s, lavender roses gained renewed popularity in floral arrangements. Today, they continue to represent mystical, enchanting emotion that feels magical.
Meaning of Blue Roses
Blue roses capture mystery, longing and the unattainable. They represent desire for the impossible and speak to feelings beyond reach. Since blue roses do not exist naturally, they signify mysticism and longing to attain the impossible. Blue roses say, “I can’t have you but I can’t stop thinking about you.” They convey a sense of mystery and longing for someone extraordinary and unique.
Throughout history, blue roses were always associated with the impossible and unattainable. Their mystic blue shade does not exist among natural roses. The blue rose was immortalized as a sign of desire for the unattainable in Tennessee William’s play The Glass Menagerie. Today, blue roses remain an ideal gift to express feelings for an impossible yet all-consuming love. They uniquely say what cannot remain unspoken.
Meaning of Green Roses
Green roses represent renewal, calm, good health, and the balance of nature. Their verdant green shade is connected to nature, growth and harmony. Green roses also symbolize best wishes for good fortune and blessings. They are the perfect gift for anyone recovering from illness or experiencing fresh starts. Their soothing green tones gently convey renewal, tranquility and wellbeing.
Throughout history, green has represented growth, harmony with nature and renewal. During Victorian times, the green rose had similar associations with wellbeing and blessings. However, their exotic look also came to symbolize prosperity in addition to good health. In modern times, green roses continue to embody fresh starts and wishing others growth. They are the ideal gift for precious people starting life’s next chapter.
Meaning of Peach Roses
Peach roses convey gratitude, kindness and sincerity. Their warm peachy bloom is both attractive and understated. Peach roses are the perfect way to send genuine thanks and express your appreciation. Their sincerely sweet color also symbolizes modesty. Peach roses demonstrate that your kindness comes from the heart. They are excellent for showing true thankfulness and gratitude.
During the Victorian era, peach roses were seen as an indicator of modesty rooted in genuine emotion. At the time, their soft peachy tones were viewed as the embodiment of sweet sincerity and a humble heart. Peach was also viewed as the color of friendship conveying wholesome, kind sentiments. In more modern times, peach roses are still the ideal way to send heartfelt thanks and convey your true appreciation.
Meaning of Purple Roses
Purple roses signify enchantment and magnetism on the lighter end of the color spectrum. They also represent regal majesty and splendor on the darker end. Lavender purple roses indicate love at first sight. Darker purple blooms suggest fascination, charm and an air of royal mystery. Overall, purple roses capture unique, mystical emotion between people.
During Victorian times, purple roses were viewed as enchanting and magnetic. However, they could also denote regal majesty and splendor when in their deepest purple tones. Purple roses were associated with charming someone and feeling magnetically drawn to another person. In modern times, light purple roses still mean love at first sight. Dark purple roses suggest allure, fascination and grace of great magnitude.
Meaning of Black Roses
Black roses represent death, farewell and endings. They signify dark, mournful emotion and can express grief or deep sorrow. Black roses are also seen as rebirth and renewal coming after endings. Beyond sadness, black roses may symbolize courage and resilience to move forward. They can encourage embracing the mysterious transitions of life.
In history, black roses were seen as representing death and dark, somber emotion. Their deeply gothic meaning spoke to life’s most mournful endings. However, black roses also took on the meaning of rebirth. Their dark shade gave way to renewal, change and new beginnings. In modern times, black roses are often used at funerals and symbolize courage during grief. They remind us to embrace life’s mystery and inevitable transitions.
Conclusion
Roses have taken on rich symbolic meaning with each distinctive color over time. Red conveys romance, pink reflects grace, white signifies purity, yellow expresses joy. Orange roses symbolize passion, lavender represents enchantment, and blue speaks to the impossible. Green roses mean renewal, purple blooms suggest mystique, peach conveys gratitude and black indicates mourning. The expansive color spectrum of roses gives meaningful options to convey all emotions. With this guide to rose color meaning, one can now select the perfect blooms to communicate specific sentiments for special occasions.
Meanings of Rose Colors
| Rose Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red | Love, Romance |
| Pink | Grace, Sweetness, Admiration |
| White | Purity, Innocence, New Beginnings |
| Yellow | Joy, Friendship |
| Orange | Desire, Passion |
| Lavender | Enchantment, Love at First Sight |
| Blue | Unattainable, Impossible Love |
| Green | Renewal, Good Health |
| Peach | Gratitude, Appreciation, Sincerity |
| Purple | Charm, Fascination, Splendor |
| Black | Death, Farewell, Rebirth |
