The Many Meanings of Tattoo Roses

Tattoos are highly symbolic pieces of art. It should therefore come as no surprise that the rose, perhaps the most symbolic flower in our culture, is also the most popular and most requested flower image used in tattoos. Interestingly, rose tattoos are request by men almost as much as women. Roses symbolize a wide variety of things. The color, shape, arrangement, and placement next to other symbols can all change the meaning of the rose symbol. This article will give you a whirlwind tour of rose symbolism.

ROSE COLORS 

• RED is most commonly symbolizes love, passion, and beauty. However, it can also symbolize courage and respect. Stylized red roses were a common symbol in medieval warfare, such as in the Wars of the Roses. ?
• WHITE roses have lots of different meanings: o The most common is innocence, purity, and virginity. o In a religious context, they mean humility and reverence. White roses also symbolize secrecy and silence?hence why the German anti-Nazi underground newspaper during World War II was named "The White Rose". o Withered and dried white roses can symbolize either fleeting beauty, or mean "you made no impression". ?
• LIGHT PINK symbolizes sympathy and admiration.
• PINK symbolizes grace and gentleness. 
• DARK PINK symbolizes gratitude and appreciation. 
• TEA ROSES (two-colored) means "I'll remember". 
• YELLOW symbolizes happiness and joy. 
• ORANGE symbolizes enthusiasm and desire. 
• BLACK symbolizes death. They can also symbolize "dark beauty".

ROSE ARRANGEMENTS 

A single red rose means "I love you".  A thornless red rose means "Love at first site". ? Two roses twined together to form a single stem symbolizes and engagement.  A bouquet of red roses symbolizes gratitude (which is why they are used by brides).  White roses surrounded by red roses symbolize unity.  A crown of roses symbolizes nobility, virtue, and reward.  A rose in full bloom over two rosebuds is a symbol of secrecy.  Rose leaves are a symbol of hope.

ROSES IN RELIGIOUS SYMBOLISM 

Roses are associated with the Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, and Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt.  The Hindu goddess Lakshmi is associated with rose petals.  In Christianity, a rose is symbolic of miracles.  At least a dozen saints are linked with roses, including Saint Therese of the Roses.  The Immaculate Heart, a heart surrounded by a ring of roses, is a symbol of the Virgin Mary.  The Virgin Mary herself is also called "The Mystical Rose".  The first rosary was said to be made of roses, then rose-carved beads later on.

SYMBOLS OF LOST LOVE

As the rose is so strongly linked with passion, love, and marriage, it is also frequently appears as a symbol of love that has been lost, broken, or betrayed. Three such common rose motifs are a rose pierced by a dagger or sword, a bleeding rose, or a weeping rose. Slightly less depressing is a rose surrounded by flames. This symbolizes love that has been burned, but not destroyed. Although this time love has burned you, it will rise phoenix-life from the ashes and grow again into a thing of beauty. A rose with prominent thorns on the stem wrapped protectively around the beautiful bloom is a symbol of guarded love. The rose may be beautiful, but it has thorns to protect itself, and will cut those who seek to hurt it. The Thorny Rose is a reminder that love does not come without risk and sacrifice. Finally, roses are occasionally used to symbolize death, usually in the form of remembering a loved one who has dies. Black roses and roses growing around a skull are two common motifs used to symbolize this.