THE MEANING & SYMBOLISM OF ROSE

Long a symbol of love and passion, the ancient Greeks and Romans
associated roses with Aphrodite and Venus, goddesses of love. Used for
hundreds of years to convey messages without words, they also represent
confidentiality. In fact, the Latin expression “sub rosa” (literally, “under the
rose”) means something told in secret, and in ancient Rome, a wild rose was
placed on the door to a room where confidential matters were being
discussed

Rose: The perfect love symbol because they represent all things sensual,
sacred, pure and romantic. In ancient Greece and Rome the rose was sacred
to Aphrodite (Venus) and was her emblem of beauty - it was said to grow
from the blood of Adonis. In the Western traditions the Rose is a symbol of
passion, desire, voluptuousness, and physical perfection. The Rose is also a
common symbol of eternal life and resurrection. The Rose is also connected
to the goddess Hecate, Dionysus and the three Graces.

Rose: The symbolic meaning of the rose is known by almost everyone on

some level - otherwise it wouldn’t be the most popularly sent flower on
Valentine’s Day (I know, I’m 2 weeks too late here).

The rose is associated with Aphrodite (Greek) goddess of love who was often
depicted adorned with roses around her head, feet and or neck. In myth we
track down this association when we discover that a rose bush grew within
the pool of blood spilled from Aphrodite’s slain lover (Adonis). We can
interpret the symbolism here several ways. The most common interpretation
is that the rose symbolizes an immortal love or a union that will never fade -
even through time or death.

Similarly in Christian lore, a rose bush was said to have grown at the site of
Christ’s death. His blood serving as the association with a red rose,
combined with its thorns is thus symbolized the ultimate sacrifice.

In addition to being a symbol of love, the rose is also representative of

secrets or tacit understanding. The term “sub rosa” means under the rose
and comes from the practice of Romans hanging roses above meeting tables.
Here it was understood that anything said at this table, beneath the hanging
roses, was forbidden to be repeated elsewhere.

Seeking symbolic meaning of the rose from an esoteric perspective, we can

look at the Tarot, in which the rose is considered a symbol of balance. Here
the beauty of the rose expresses promise, new beginnings, hope. This
beauty is contrasted with its thorns which represents defense, physicality,
loss, thoughtlessness. The rose is seen in the major arcana as: Magician,
Strength, Death and Fool cards. All of these cards hold strong meanings of
balance and equilibrium.

The color of the rose is symbolic as well: (flower color meanings can be found
here in flower meanings in general can be found here ).
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Yellow Rose: Joy, Protection against envious lovers, Mature love
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White Rose: Purity, Sanctity, Secret admirer, Mysticism
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Red Rose: Sacrifice, Immortal love, Health, Memorial, Passion
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Pink Rose: First love, Innocence, Healing