Meaning of Roses
...a code from the Victorian Era.

In earlier, more stricter times, the meaning of roses was carried with a specific color and arrangement. The specific use of roses was an emotional one and the meaning of roses has changed throughout the centuries.

The Christian Church took over many of these previously pagan ideas and with adaptation the rose came to signify martyrdom, as in the red petals as drops of blood. The white rose came to signify celibacy.

But it wasn't until Victorian times in Europe that the meaning of roses, as a floral language, portrayed the hidden message most strongly. Victorians had very strong taboos and restrictions on social interactions and so it was inevitable that communication became the art of the secret sign, much as the half open rose has a center concealed by it's petals.

In Victorian England suitors would start a courtship with a meaningful bouquet, which changed as the relationship changed, culminating with the final wedding bouquet. Such exchanges became complex and involved, not only for the color of the bloom but the number and mix of the colors. Thus such a complex message as, "I love you but you are to old for me", could be stated with perhaps two colors in a special number sequence. It was a learned but secret language.

Today much of that secrecy has become unnecessary but some of the meanings remain. Red roses still portray a different emotion than white roses, and white evokes a completely different emotion than black. (Not that there are any truly black roses.)

Stay with us to share the meaning of all the colors, the meaning of the number of roses in a bouquet and the many different categories that exist in the Rosa family.The meaning of different color roses, the meaning of yellow roses, the meaning of blue roses, the meaning of white roses, the meaning of pink roses.....well, you get the idea!

Dig Around #1:
Discover The American Rose Society.

Dig Around #2:
Discover the resources of The Canadian Rose Society.

Dig Around #3:
Build your own Botanical Garden.
Tips and techniques to help you fulfill the dream

1...What is The Meaning of Each Color?
The Victorians knew the language of Rose colors. We have decoded it for you.

2...Number of Roses
What the numbers mean!

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