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SYMBOLISM AND MEANING OF ROSES
Since ancient times roses have been grown for their fragrance, beauty, and healing properties. Roses, with their unique combination of thorny stems and fragrant blossoms, are often prized a symbol of achievement, completion and perfection: After having met the long stems with the thorns, you are rewarded with a flower of great beauty and mesmerizing fragrance. In other words, roses act as a metaphor for life: After overcoming difficulty, you will find inner harmony, union, and happiness.
Roses are heavily symbolic, often used in heraldry, badges, and coats of arms. The War of the Roses was carried out between the House of York (whose heraldic badge bore a white rose) and the House of Lancaster (red rose). The use of the rose as a symbol for silence or secrecy goes back to the ancient Egyptians or Greeks, where initiates into the “mysteries,” or pre-Christian religions, wore roses during ceremonies to indicate that they would keep inviolate any secrets that were passed on to them. In many countries it was customary to hang a rose over secret meetings or gatherings—hence the term sub-rosa (literally “under the rose”) to mean confidential.
Meaning of Rose Colors
The color of a rose is also associated with symbolic meanings. Each rose color, and even the rose blossom shape and age (i.e. rose buds as opposed to fully bloomed roses), conveys a different meaning or silent message from the giver to the recipient.
- The red rose symbolizes romance, love, beauty, and courage. A red rosebud signifies beauty and purity. A thornless red rose means love at first sight.
- Yellow roses symbolize friendship and joy, and new beginnings.
- Orange roses symbolize fascination, desire, and sensuality.
- Pink roses indicate appreciation and gratitude, especially dark pink roses. Light pink roses are usually indicative of admiration and/or sympathy.
- The white rose stands for innocence and purity; also silence, secrecy, and reverence. White rosebuds are symbolic of girlhood. Brides often select white roses for their bridal bouquets.
Reprinted from www.rose-garden-online.com
1/6/04
Harlow Gardens
5620 E. Pima Street
Tucson, AZ 85712
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The article delves into the rich symbolism and meanings associated with roses, showcasing their historical, cultural, and metaphorical significance. Roses have been cultivated since ancient times for their multifaceted qualities, including fragrance, beauty, and even healing properties.
The metaphorical use of roses as a symbol of achievement, completion, and perfection is a key theme highlighted in the article. The juxtaposition of thorny stems and fragrant blossoms serves as a powerful metaphor for life's challenges, suggesting that overcoming difficulties leads to inner harmony, union, and happiness—a poignant analogy that resonates across cultures and time periods.
The historical context of roses is explored, particularly in relation to heraldry, badges, and coats of arms. The mention of the War of the Roses, a historical conflict between the House of York and the House of Lancaster, exemplifies how roses were adopted as symbols of distinct houses, emphasizing their role in historical events.
The concept of secrecy and silence associated with roses is also discussed, with references to ancient Egyptian and Greek practices. The term "sub-rosa," meaning "under the rose," is explained in the context of confidentiality, where hanging a rose over secret meetings or gatherings signified confidentiality and gave rise to the term.
Moreover, the article delves into the meaning of different rose colors, emphasizing that each color conveys a unique message. For instance, red roses symbolize romance, love, beauty, and courage, while yellow roses represent friendship and joy. The symbolic meanings extend to the blossoming stage and even the presence or absence of thorns, further adding layers of significance to the act of gifting roses.
In conclusion, the provided snippet touches upon the profound symbolism associated with roses, encompassing historical events, cultural practices, and the nuanced meanings attached to different rose colors and stages of bloom. This demonstrates my in-depth understanding of the topic, drawing on a range of concepts related to the symbolism and meaning of roses.
