There is no better symbol of love than a red rose. It conveys passion and desire, without the need for a single word to be spoken.
So how did this association between a simple flower and such deep emotion come about?
The red rose began its illustrious symbolic history in Greek and Roman iconography, where it was tied to Aphrodite, or Venus, the goddess of love. Later, in early Christian times it became associated with the virtue of the Virgin Mary.
Reputedly, Cleopatra used the red rose to carpet her bedroom when she received Antony.
In the 18th century, a special rose language evolved as a means of communication between lovers who were forced by society to keep their feelings a secret. And the red rose came to symbolise true love that would stand the test of time.
The flower is often mentioned in classic literature. It was a poetic standard in Shakespeare’s time; Scottish poet Robert Burns compared his love to a red rose in the poem Red, Red Rose; and the card “soldiers” in Alice in Wonderland lost their heads for painting white roses red, to name just a few.
These fragrant blooms come in varying shades of red, which also carry different symbolic meanings. For example, a bright red rose signifies romance, while burgundy means a love that has yet to be realised.
Throughout its long history, the red rose – whether a single bloom or a grand bouquet – still reigns as the ultimate symbol of passionate affection. Source, The Meaning of Roses
