Rose Meanings
More Information on the Meaning of Roses
While colors have come to represent meaning of roses of differing hues, combinations of the colors or even the method in which they are given or displayed also carry meanings.
Red and White Roses Combined signify unity
Red and Yellow Roses Combined express happiness; joviality; cheeriness
Roses in Full Bloom symbolize gratitude
Red Roses in Bud exhibit pure and lovely in youth
White Roses in Bud is a sign of a girl too young to love
Solitary Rose stands for simplicity
Two Roses intertwined to form one stem indicate an engagement or upcoming wedding
One Rose in full bloom with 2 buds in one vase signify secrecy
Leaves of a Rose Bush is a sign of hope
A Crown of Roses represent virtue or reward
While any meaning of roses or significance of colors, display or combinations are open to interpretation, it is important to realize that, to some, these meanings are quite real and can have great impact on the manner in which they accept the gift of flowers. Whether or not the giver of the roses intended the gift to be received in the same manner may be overlooked by the person accepting the flowers. In the case of black roses, for example, if a surviving family member perceives black roses to be a bad omen of some dire consequence, seeing them arrive at the grave side could be quite offended and feel threatened even though they were meant as an expression of sorrow. By the same token, sending red roses which typically signify “love” when you meant friendship could be innocently and unintentionally giving the wrong impression.
In the same vein of thought, you may attach more meaning to a gift of roses than the receiver realizes. Sometimes we are unable to verbalize our thoughts, feelings or emotions to another. Many people use flowers such as roses as their expression of sorrow, love, desire or feelings of regret or repentance. Sending or offering roses in such a manner, without speaking the words themselves, may not get your message across if the person receiving the flowers is unaware of any meaning of roses. It is wise, if sending the roses through a courier, to include a written message expressing your feelings if you cannot say them directly to the person. If you hand deliver the flowers, be prepared to say what is in your heart to make your meaning clear to the person accepting the gift.
Since almost the beginning of time, flowers have provided a means of indicating or expressing feelings, emotions and thoughts. As roses have evolved through hundreds of thousands of years, they have signified different things to different cultures. Now many people, Asian or American, rich or poor, high class or just regular folk, simply enjoy the rose for the beautiful and scented floral gem that it is, and may not attach any more meaning to the lovely blooms than a gracious gift in the garden. An ancient tie to historic civilizations; a national emblem for some, a link to mythology for others; the humble rose, growing wild in most parts of the world, is one of the most highly recognized, greatly favored and most beloved of all blooms.