ALT-10 The Significance of different Rose Colors
When you send a bouquet of roses to your loved one or friend, you may not be aware that added to the written message accompanying your gift is the extra message that the blooms themselves impart. Through the use of color and arrangement, flowers can give their own deeper meaning that can strike a chord in the heart and soul and can convey an emotion that may have been difficult to put down on paper.
Over the course of many years the colors of the rose have developed from their simple shades of white and pink when earnest cultivation begun to show a more sophisticated mix of color from the 1800's onwards.
These different shades become very popular during the staid Victorian Age when displays of high emotion was frowned upon and blossoming love was curtailed by strict rules of conduct. They were given as single flowers, posies or elaborate arrangements, to represent many different emotions, used to convey subtle messages very effectively:
1. Red roses are a vibrant declaration of love and passion. They indicate a sense of great romantic thought and giving someone a single red rose are making a simple statement of "I love you".
2. Yellow beginning of the 19th century cultivated by the Frenchman, Joseph Permet Ducher . They were first used in the Victorian times to symbolize jealousy, but are now used to signify domestic happiness, friendship and endearing love. They can also be an appropriate flower as an expression of sympathy or an way to ask forgiveness.
3. Orange blooms are used to show pride and amazement. They can be given as a message; "I desire you or want to get to know you better" and "You fascinate me"
4. Peach expresses sincere appreciation for accomplishment and can be given as a gift of congratulation or to a student for passing her exams. They can indicate an appreciation or optimism for the future. The palest of peach symbolizes modesty.
5. The blue rose: A chance discovery in a laboratory made by two scientists working on research for cancer and Alzheimer's disease, finally found a solution to attaining this wondrous bloom and produced the "Holy Grail" of horticulture. This rose indicates a sense of mystery and attaining the impossible. An indication that there is a need to be discrete and in doing so affords the blooms an air of secrecy. Giving a blue rose to someone may be indication of mysterious new beginnings
6. The black rose cannot be found in nature. Its color has eluded many rose cultivators and you will only find the dyed variety or roses of such a deep red such as The Black Baccara, that have the appearance of being almost black. These roses are said to have mystical powers and indicate a state of non attainment or of something that is improbable and unnatural. Some people would see them as a symbol of death and slavish devotion.
7. The green rose: Has said to have been cultivated since 1743. It is a sterile, yet fascinating flower. It is used to signify calmness and fertility. It represents new beginnings, transformation and change. An indication of new life and happiness and all that is natural.
8. Pink roses can be used to indicate a state of contentment and happiness. They can be sent as an act of appreciation or admiration. Also used to denote friendship and often sent as messages of sympathy.
9. Dark pink roses are used to convey a simple message of thanks. Used as a means to show our thankfulness about certain situations.
10. The delicate light pink is used to denote great joy, grace and admiration. They can also be used an expression of sympathy.
11. By giving a lavender rose you are telling the recipient that you have fallen in love with them and your heart is full of enchantment.
12. A purple rose means enchantment and love at first sight. It can also be used to indicate paternal or maternal love.
13. White roses give a simple statement of innocence and purity. It is a popular wedding flower and is used in the bridal bouquets as a symbolization of spiritual love and the anticipation of joy and happiness. They can also be used to symbolize loyalty and silence. Coupled with the red rose this can be seen as a symbolization of unity.
The flowers could be arranged into a poetry of color and a message behind them made more sophisticated in regard to the type of flower added to the general arrangement. For example rosebuds were used to indicate innocence and youth and fully blooming roses signified maturity.
The number of roses is important too and can add weight to the how deep the feelings of the sender run. The giving of one dozen red roses is considered to be the most passionate of messages and proclaims to the whole world the ultimate sign of love for the recipient.
Roses can say a thousand words when we may not be up to verbally expressing how we feel. They can be sent if we are feeling miserable after a bad argument and we want to apologies. They are useful if you find it difficult to express your condolences to a bereaved one and they can give a visual show of pride to celebrate an achievement in life.
We often turn to flowers to express our feelings when we are unable to voice them how much better to know the true significance of the flowers that we send to our loved ones, and to use their special connotations to create a thoughtful poetry of blooms?
