Meaning of Red Roses: History and Symbolism - Spectrum of Roses (2024)

With their rich color, velvety soft petals and exhilarating fragrance, red roses are the epitome of romance and passion! These stunning flowers have been an iconic symbol of love and affection through the ages. In this article, we will chart the history and meaning of red roses, from the spilled blood of Aphrodite to a Valentine’s Day tradition. Red roses are the ultimate way to say “I love you”.

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Red Rose Meaning

Red roses are a universal symbol of love. They mean reciprocated love and the triumph of love above all else until death and even beyond.

Red roses symbolize intense and passionate love, true love, faithfulness, deep commitment, loyalty, affection, desire, beauty, perfection, romance, intrigue, respect, admiration, courage, and sacrifice.

Red rosebuds suggest beauty and purity.

The thornless red rose says love at first sight.

Bright Red Rose Meaning

Bright red roses mean passion, desire, vibrant love, romance, and enthusiasm. They can also mean courage and bravery.

Dark Red Rose Meaning

If you give dark red roses to someone you’re interested in, it says that you are ready for commitment. It suggests a deeper bond than bright red roses. The depth of passion from the giver is conveyed by how deep the color of red the rose is. They can also mean humility, unconscious beauty, appreciation, and respect.

Some examples of dark red roses include:

• Dark, velvet burgundy red roses suggesting commitment, devotion, unconscious love, mystery, and allure.
• Dark crimson-red roses signifying mourning.
• Merlot-colored red roses meaning beauty.
• Deep, dark red roses that nearly appear black, representing rebirth and new beginnings.

Red Rose in a Black Background Meaning

A red rose in a black background has multiple interpretations, depending on the context. Here the most common interpretations:

The Contrast of Love and Death – The vibrant red rose symbolizes love, passion, and beauty. The black background represents death, darkness, or the unknown. Together, they symbolize the transient nature of love and the beauty that can be found even during dark times.

Intense Emotion – The stark contrast between the red rose and the black background emphasizes the intense emotions represented by the red rose, including deep love, passion, and even sorrow.

Mystery and Elegance – The combination evokes a sense of mystery, elegance, and sophistication. The combination is a popular motif in art and design for its visually striking contrast.

Romantic Love in Difficult Times – The red rose, a universal symbol of love, set against a dark background suggests a romantic love that persists even in challenging or dark times.

Top 10 Red Rose Meanings

• Love
• Passion
• Commitment
• Beauty
• Romance
• Respect
• Courage
• Spirituality
• Desire
• Mystery

Red Roses Spiritual Meaning

Red roses have a spiritual meaning of commitment, devotion, divine love, passion, sacrifice, and the divine feminine. They represent the human heart, infinite love, and the heart’s power to heal and transform lives.

Many spiritual traditions view the red rose as the divine feminine for its connection to the goddesses Aphrodite and Venus. They are used in ceremonies and rituals to honor the natural beauty of women and invoke divine feminine energy.

Red roses are used in natural healing practices and aromatherapy. Their fragrance affects the heart chakra by helping to open and heal it. The red rose’s essential oil reduces stress and anxiety and calms the mind. The red rose is also said to balance and activate the root chakra at the base of the spine, allowing a more grounded, connected feeling to the earth.

In Christianity, red roses symbolize the spilled blood of martyrs and Christ’s passion. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux compared the Virgin Mary’s charity to a red rose. The flowers also suggest Mary’s virtue.

History of Red Roses

Ancient Romans would wear a red rose or place one outside a door as a vow of secrecy.

The Romans and Greeks also equated the red rose with luxury. Roman legends speak of the wealthy having red rose petals scattered in their bedchambers and baths because the flowers had a pleasant fragrance, and royalty associated them with love and beauty. They were also said to have used the petals as confetti during special events.

In 15th-century England, the red rose symbolized the House of Lancaster in the Wars of the Roses. It eventually merged with the House of York’s white rose to create the “Tudor Rose”, the symbol for the royal family that still exists today.

Red roses were the preferred choice in English medieval gardens and as decoration at the time.

In the 1600s and 1700s in England, crowds tossed red roses as soldiers left for war or returned home in honor of their courage.

In 19th-century Victorian England, gifting a red rose to your lover signified passion and secret desire.

The red rose has been a symbol of socialism since the 1880s. In addition, it’s the emblem of the British Labour Party, the England national rugby union team, and Rugby Football Union.

Red Roses and Valentine’s Day

Red roses are associated with Valentine’s Day primarily because of their association with the goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Venus.

In the Victorian language of flowers, red roses mean love! The perfect flower to give your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day!

But when did giving flowers for Valentine’s Day start? King Charles II of Sweden learned about a new art called the language of flowers while traveling to Persia in the late 17th century. This began the tradition of gifting flowers for Valentine’s Day.

Red Roses in Myths and Legends

In Greek Mythology, red roses are connected to Aphrodite and her lover Adonis. When Adonis was on a hunting trip, he was gored by a wild boar. Sadly, he died in Aphrodite’s arms. She wept as his blood soaked into the earth, staining the white roses near him to a deep crimson red. The link between red roses and romantic love came out of this myth – a love so strong that it transcends even death!

Another tale tells of Aphrodite walking through a rose garden after Cupid’s arrow caused the plants to grow thorns. Aphrodite pricked herself on a thorn, and her blood reddened the roses.

Roman mythology tells a similar story about the goddess of love. Venus is running to warn her lover Adonis about a plot to murder him when she cuts her ankle on a thorn bush. Beautiful red roses bloomed as her blood dripped on the plant, creating lovely red rose bushes.

An ancient Arabian legend told the tale of a nightingale that fell in love with a white rose and sang because it was so happy. As the bird pressed up against the rose, a thorn pierced its heart. The nightingale’s blood turned the rose red.

Red Roses in Other Cultures and Countries

In America, June 12 is known as National Red Rose Day, in honor of the flower that symbolizes love and romance.

In Australia, 65 Roses Day is celebrated in May to bring awareness to cystic fibrosis. It got its name when 4-year-old Eva Markvoort first learned of her diagnosis and mispronounced “cystic fibrosis” and “65 Roses”. The day is primarily represented by red roses.

In Mexico, red roses are popular for Day of the Dead celebrations, symbolizing love and passion.

Many cultures believe that the red rose possesses healing and protective powers. Spells and rituals with red roses bring love and prosperity and protect against negative energy. Some cultures also say red roses have aphrodisiac properties. They certainly have an intoxicating fragrance!

Hindus connect red roses with love and romance thanks to the legend of Lakshmi. She is the goddess that represents prosperity, wealth and beauty. She was created from red rose petals! 1008 small and 108 large ones.

Red Roses in Religious Ceremonies and Rituals

Red roses are used in ceremonies and rituals across many religions. They are offered as gifts to deities or hung over confessionals for secrecy.

Hindus offer red roses to deities such as Kali, Durga and Lakshmi in a devotional practice called puja.

Buddhists place red roses in their temples as offerings to the Three Jewels – Buddha, Dharma, Sangha.

You will find red roses in many Christian ceremonies and rituals. They are often seen at weddings and funerals. In the past, they hung above church confessionals to signify the confidentiality of confession.

Red roses are also associated with the Catholic rosary used during prayer. The word Rosary means “Crown of Roses”. Whenever someone says the rosary devoutly, they place a crown of 153 red roses and 16 white roses upon the heads of Jesus and Mary.

Red Roses in Art and Literature

The exquisite beauty of the red rose has inspired artists and writers over hundreds of years.

Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, is attributed with bringing popularity to a folk song about eternal love, “A Red, Red Rose.” He didn’t write it himself but was more of a transcriber. Ballads and poems going back as far as the 1600s may be the true origin of this famous literary work.

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel “The Scarlet Letter” (1850), a rose bush symbolizes freedom, strength and romantic inspiration.

In 1870 Etienne Adolphe Pior painted “Young Beauty Holding A Red Rose”.

In Oscar Wilde’s 1888 fairytale “The Nightingale and the Rose”, a nightingale sacrifices herself so that a student can have a red rose to gift his crush. The story contrasts selfless love with the selfish ego.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir painted “Roses in a Vase” in 1914.

In Salvador Dali’s 1958 painting, “Meditative Rose”, an enormous, perfectly formed red rose hovers high in the sky. A couple, tiny by comparison, stare up at it from the desert.

In 2001, Alex Katz painted “Red Roses with Blue”. It features red rose blossoms against a pale blue background.

Upside Down Red Rose Meaning

When flowers are upside down, they mean the opposite, so upside-down red roses say, “I hate you.” Ouch!

Withered Red Rose Meaning

A withered red rose means that the love has died.

Red Roses as a Gift

Red roses are a wonderful gift for a spouse, significant other, loved one, mentor, or someone you have a crush on, respect, or admire. Give them to your partner to say, “You’re the one for me.”

Red roses have romantic connotations. This is the best context to give them in. Red roses indicate to the recipient that you have romantic feelings towards them.

Read more about roses as gifts.

Red Roses Meaning in Relationships

Red roses mean true love, passion, desire, and romance in a relationship. Red roses symbolize affection and appreciation.

Red Roses Meaning in Friendships

If you give red roses to a friend, it signifies admiration and respect. Your friend might also get the impression that you have romantic feelings towards them, so consider adding some other rose colors.

Read more aboutroses in friendships.

Events or Occasions for Red Roses

Red roses are perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, a wedding proposal, a date, weddings, or your significant other’s birthday.

Red Roses at Weddings

Red roses are almost as popular as white roses at weddings.

Red roses look fabulous in wedding party flowers and decorations. Red roses in a wedding bouquet signify passion, appreciation for your partner, respect, and happiness. Red roses also represent eternal love and the union of two souls.

Red Roses at Funerals

Red roses are appropriate for funerals as they signify a beautiful person has departed this world.

Dark red roses are an appropriate way to say goodbye to a loved one.

Red Roses Meaning When Combined With Other Colors

Red roses with white roses represent enduring love and unity, an excellent choice for an anniversary. Red and white roses are also ideal for a wedding, as they convey the union of two souls.

Red roses and pink roses given together as an anniversary or birthday gift represent affection, admiration, and happiness.

Red roses and yellow roses together convey happiness. They also mean joy and love, so the combination is an excellent choice for a gift to a friend or for a date night.

Red Rose Varieties

“Rose Madam Red” is a thornless red rose with large blooms, vibrant color, and a sweet fragrance – an attractive choice for cut flowers and bouquets.

“Finally” is a gorgeous red, medium-sized rose with a beautiful cabbage shape.

“Mister Lincoln” is a classic, deep velvety red rose with an intoxicating fragrance.

The “Red Drift Rose” is a lovely vibrant shrub rose with medium-sized red, semi-double flowers.

Red Rose Tattoo Meaning

A red rose tattoo means passion, love, romance, or a deep commitment to a relationship. It may also signify a lover who has been lost.

Conclusion

No flower is more responsible for igniting emotions and expressing feelings from the heart than the red rose. They symbolise strength and resilience, courage, and sacrifice in the name of love. Just as the blood-stained color and sharp thorns remind us of Aphrodite’s pain, love itself can often hurt.

Red roses have inspired artists and writers and are important in religious iconography. They are the ultimate symbol of love. The red rose also signifies passion, true love, beauty, desire, romance, affection, respect, loyalty, and commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions – Meaning of Red Roses

What is the meaning of red roses?

Red roses symbolize intense and passionate love, true love, faithfulness, deep commitment, loyalty, affection, desire, beauty, perfection, romance, intrigue, respect, admiration, courage, and sacrifice.

What is the spiritual meaning of red roses?

Red roses have a spiritual meaning of commitment, devotion, divine love, passion, sacrifice, and the divine feminine. They represent the human heart, infinite love, and the heart’s power to heal and transform lives.

What do bright red roses symbolize?

Bright red roses represent passion, desire, vibrant love, romance, enthusiasm, courage, and bravery.

What is the meaning of dark red roses?

Dark red roses suggest a deeper bond than bright red roses and symbolize commitment, devotion, unconscious love, mystery, allure, humility, unconscious beauty, appreciation, and respect.

Are red rosebuds associated with any specific meaning?

Red rosebuds suggest beauty and purity.

What is the significance of gifting red roses on Valentine’s Day?

Red roses are associated with Valentine’s Day due to their connection with the goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Venus. They are considered the perfect flower to express love and passion on this romantic occasion.

What is the historical significance of red roses?

Red roses have a rich history dating back to ancient times. They were associated with luxury, love, and beauty by the Romans and Greeks. In English medieval gardens, red roses were preferred, and they became a symbol of the House of Lancaster in the Wars of the Roses.

Can red roses be used in religious ceremonies?

Yes, red roses are used in ceremonies and rituals across many religions. They are offered as gifts to deities, placed in temples, and hold symbolic significance in Christian rituals, such as weddings and funerals.

What do withered red roses symbolize?

A withered red rose typically represents the end or death of love.

What occasions are suitable for gifting red roses?

Red roses are perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, wedding proposals, dates, weddings, and birthdays of significant others.

Are there any cultural or country-specific associations with red roses?

In different cultures, red roses hold various meanings. For example, in Mexico, they are popular for Day of the Dead celebrations, symbolizing love and passion. In Hinduism, red roses are connected to love and romance through the legend of Lakshmi.

Can red roses be combined with other colors for specific meanings?

Yes, red roses can be combined with other colors to convey different messages. For example, red and white roses represent enduring love and unity, while red and pink roses symbolize affection and admiration.

What is the significance of red roses in art and literature?

Red roses have inspired artists and writers throughout history, appearing in paintings, novels, and poems. They symbolize love, freedom, strength, and romantic inspiration in various artistic works.

What does a red rose tattoo symbolize?

A red rose tattoo generally represents passion, love, romance, or a deep commitment to a relationship. It may also signify the memory of a lost loved one.

Are upside-down red roses associated with any particular meaning?

When flowers, including red roses, are upside down, they convey the opposite message, such as “I hate you.”

What is the significance of red roses in friendships?

Red roses given to a friend symbolize admiration and respect, although it may also be interpreted as romantic interest. It is advisable to consider adding other rose colors to avoid misunderstandings.

What is the best context to give red roses as a gift?

Red roses are most commonly given in a romantic context to express love and passion.