Red Roses: Their Meaning, Symbolism and History
At the Magic Flower Company, we wanted to explore the deeper roots of the red rose as it is a true icon and one of our most loved and popular blooms.
History of Red Roses
Dating back to Greek mythology, the creation of red roses have been linked to Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. It is believed that when Aphrodite came across her lover, Adonis, who was wounded by a wild boar, a mixture of her tears and his blood produced a beautiful red rose bush when they hit the ground.
Moving onto Roman mythology, the creation of red roses have been linked to Venus, the Goddess of Love. As Venus was running to warn her lover, Adonis, about a murder plot against him, she cut her ankles when she ran through a thorn bush. Her blood then turned into blooming red roses wherever it touched.
Further down the line, during the Victorian Era, red roses were commonly used to send messages of love due to romantic gestures and shows of affection being basically banned. Then, when Shakespeare took to fame, this became a poetic standard and everyone knew the red rose as the symbol of love.
Meaning & Symbolism of Red Roses
The meaning and symbolism of the red rose has stayed consistent over all of the years and will forever remain as the perfect expression of romance. Even though there are many different colours of roses, each with differing meanings, the red rose and even different shades of the red rose, still symbolise the same thing.
For example, the burgundy rose suggests a one-sided romance and gifting this would be in order to see if it is reciprocated. Also, deep red roses are said to symbolise deep, meaningful emotions towards a significant other. Being the colour of blood, it has been implied that this emphasises the pinnacle of the human existence and love is the core.
The Number Guide
As well as the different shades of red symbolising love, the different numbers of red roses all express romantic love in various ways. Here is a quick guide:
One Rose – Love at first sight, or if in a long-term relationship ‘you are still the only one’
Two Roses – Mutual love and affection
Six Roses – Infatuation and the need to be yours
Ten Roses – Their love is perfection
Eleven Roses – True and deep love that is treasured
Twelve Roses – A classic gift that says ‘be mine’
Fifteen Roses – An apology for a loved one
Twenty-Four Roses – Clearly state that ‘I’m yours’
Thirty-Six Roses – Head over heels in love
Fifty Roses – A love that has no bounds
Now you know the story of the red rose and the different kinds of love it represents, why not gift a preserved one to show your everlasting love? Shop our Red Magic Roses today.
