Roses are beautiful flowers. Delicate, and of complex composition, they are an always in-demand choice for those sending flowers, and their rightful place as one of the most popular wedding flowers of all time has been firmly cemented.
The rose as a flower has inspired countless different forms of art, from paintings to poems to ballads. It is an enduringly inspirational and evocative image.
Through these artworks, we can see that the significance of rose colors can mean different things to different people. While some artists may take poetic license and apply their own meanings to a specific colored rose, in actual fact, almost all rose colors already have their own special significance, some dating back to centuries ago.
We’ve all heard the Shakespeare quote: “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” But as it turns out, roses of different colors could convey completely opposite meanings to one another.
Whether you’re an avid gardener, in search of the perfect gift for a loved one, or even if you’re just curious to learn about the hidden meanings behind different colored roses, read on for our comprehensive guide to rose color significance.
The Significance of Rose Colors
Of course, to many people, a rose is a rose, and no matter what color it may bear, it is just as meaningful to them, for any number of personal reasons. This is precisely the reason why a roses delivery is always a welcome surprise.
But to provide an added layer of meaning to your next bouquet, it can be a nice touch to learn the traditional meaning behind these beautiful flowers.
Red Roses
Most people are probably familiar with the meaning of this particular rose. The red rose has always been a powerful symbol of passion, desire, and love. A popular choice for Valentine’s Day and for bridal bouquets, this rose says “I love you” in a simple and elegant way.
White Roses
The color white is a classic symbol of purity. White roses, too, are known to represent purity and innocence, as well as young love. They also symbolize new beginnings. As such, they are a popular choice for weddings.
Yellow Roses
Although you wouldn’t guess it from their cheery coloring, in victorian times, yellow roses harbored a sinister meaning: they were said to symbolize jealousy.
These days, however, these happy-hued flowers have a much nicer meaning. They have come to symbolize friendship and warmth.
Blue Roses
One of the rarer types of roses out there, the blue rose is somewhat mysterious. Perhaps this is why it said to represent mystery. It is also believed that when blue roses are given as a gift, they represent an unattainable love.
Pink Roses
A much more commonly seen rose, the meaning behind the pink rose is exactly what you might expect. Pink roses are symbols of grace, femininity, and elegance.
There is more to this simple rose, however. A lighter shade of pink is said to represent joy or gentleness, while darker pink can be used to convey admiration or appreciation.
Orange Roses
Beautiful and bright, orange roses naturally give off their own unique energy. They are known to represent vibrancy, energy, enthusiasm, and fascination.
They are often used to express a sense of pride. For this reason, they make a thoughtful gift for graduates.
Peach Roses
Sweet, simple, and unassuming, the peach rose conveys a feeling of sincerity or modesty. They can be a good way to express gratitude, but they can also be used to express sympathy to someone who has recently suffered a loss.
Green Roses
Although quite rare, and sometimes assumed to be synthetic, green roses are very real. In fact, it is thought they may be one of the oldest types of rose.
Green roses represent abundance, life, and fertility. They are a symbol of plenty and copiousness and make a great gift for new or expectant parents.
Lavender Roses
Lavender roses are often used to convey a sense of enchantment or wonder. They also represent love at first sight.
The dreamy meanings behind these pretty flowers make them perfect to gift for someone you have feelings of romance or even enchantment toward.
Black Roses
Unlike green roses, black roses do not occur naturally. Most black roses you see will either have been dyed to look that way or will actually be a very dark shade of burgundy or purple.
These blooms are often used to create a dark and gothic vibe. Black roses can often be found at funerals, but they can also have a more hopeful meaning: the birth of a new era or a period of great change.
Ivory Roses
Although often mistaken for white roses, ivory roses are actually a distinct color all of their own. They can best be described as an off-white or cream color, slightly darker than that of white roses. Ivory roses represent refinement, thoughtfulness, and grace.
Burgundy Roses
Like ivory roses, burgundy roses are sometimes mixed up with their counterparts of a similar color: red roses. Like red roses, burgundy roses are also used as an expression of love and passion. However, they can also represent a deep, unwavering devotion.
Mixed Roses
Sometimes, you will come across a bouquet of roses made up of not one color, but two. How to determine the true meaning behind a bouquet of roses, if it possesses two different colors?
There are actually different meanings, depending on the colors concerned. Red and white roses represent unity, for example, while yellow and orange roses convey happiness and joy.
Roses Everywhere
While it is interesting to learn about the significance of rose colors, the significance of greatest importance is the one that its recipient places on it. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That’s something to bear in mind the next time you’re grappling over which color rose to send that special someone.
If you’ve enjoyed this colorful content, be sure to check out some of our other stories on beauty, lifestyle, and relationships.