Flowers have accompanied humanity for millennia, as offerings to gods, symbols in warfare, decorations for celebrations, and expressions of deep emotion. But no flower has become as closely tied to love as the rose.
Its iconic silhouette, rich fragrance, and diverse palette have made it a universal language of passion, admiration, and loyalty.
Roses adorned ancient Greek frescoes, appeared in Sufi poetry, and were carried by medieval knights. Each era added new layers of meaning, yet the rose remained a constant symbol of feelings too deep for words.
The rose’s symbolism has roots in ancient mythology. According to legend, red roses sprang from the blood of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, as she mourned her beloved Adonis. From its origins, the rose was linked to passion, sacrifice, and intense emotion. In ancient Rome, it also symbolised secrecy; the phrase sub rosa ("under the rose") referred to confidential matters.
Over time, mythology became custom. Today, when someone presents a rose bouquet, they may not know the story behind the gesture, but they’re still communicating timeless messages of love, longing, remembrance, or forgiveness. One flower holds centuries of meaning.
The message behind a rose bouquet isn’t defined by the flowers alone. Details such as colour, number, and even the stage of bloom all shape how the gift is received:
Quantity also matters. A single rose expresses devotion. Three roses say “I love you.” Seven indicates serious intent. Twelve roses, the classic love declaration. In some cultures, even numbers are avoided in bouquets, as they carry associations with mourning.
In visual art, roses often appear as emotional anchors, symbols with layered meaning. In medieval iconography, they could represent either earthly passion or divine grace. In his Divine Comedy, Dante describes Paradise as a celestial rose, a symbol of unity and perfection.
The rose has become a persistent metaphor for sensuality, beauty, and sorrow in poetry and music. From Shakespeare to Rilke, from Persian ghazals to romantic ballads, the rose continues to embody the depth and contradictions of love.
Thanks to its duality, the rose has maintained its symbolic power. It is beautiful and dangerous, with soft petals and sharp thorns. This balance makes the rose an apt metaphor for love, a feeling equally tender and vulnerable. To give a rose is to acknowledge not just the sweetness of affection but also the risks and emotions it carries.
The rose is also a flower of ritual. It’s offered at weddings, farewells, anniversaries, and reconciliations. It marks moments of emotional gravity, reinforcing its role as a vessel of meaning.
In the digital age, where emotions are reduced to emojis and abbreviated messages, a tangible gesture like offering a rose takes on new power. It doesn’t require an explanation or a caption. It is understood instantly, deeply, and across cultures.
The rose's symbolism has endured into the 21st century because it fulfils a timeless need, to say what words often can’t. While everyone has their way of expressing emotion, the rose remains a shared gesture of connection and care.
A rose is more than just a flower. It’s a living metaphor for complex, nuanced emotions. It has travelled through history, retaining its resonance. Every time someone gives a rose, they become part of that enduring tradition of communicating the essential, not with words but with intention.
To give a rose is to speak of love, devotion, longing, admiration, sorrow, or joy. It’s a way to share what’s felt but not always spoken. And for that reason, the rose is not just a bloom, it’s a symbol of what truly matters.
