By Chelsea Reed
Welcome back! In honor of National Rose Month, let’s dive into another fascinating look at the super-mysterious language of roses. In Part 1, we mentioned how the meaning of roses can be interpreted by their color. If you haven’t read this blog yet, now’s the time to do so. Today, we will look at the meanings of roses by how many are given, and the variety. Let’s investigate this secret language a little further!
The message of a rose’s color can be enriched by how many you wish to give to your admirer. A single orange rose, for example, could mean “I’m proud of you!” Single-rosed messages are often intimate and sweet. Perhaps the most famous example is the enchanted red rose in Disney’s movie Beauty and the Beast. In flower language, a single red rose declares “you are the one for me!”
Once you add more roses to the bouquet, however, the message intensifies. This is especially true with the red rose, which is the classic symbol of romance. Two roses suggest a desire to be together. Three roses declare a desire for more company. A dozen roses means “be mine.” Twenty-five roses shout, “I am yours!” Fifty roses (yes, fifty!) exclaim limitless love forever. Strangely enough, six roses say “I’ll meet you halfway.” But if it’s more roses than what you’ve given the last time, it’s the perfect way to say to your lover, “I’m ready for the next step.”
Not sure how many roses you can send to a friend or coworker? Thirteen roses are a fine way to say, “let’s be friends forever!” In nonromantic relations, twenty-five roses are a traditional sign of congratulations. If you recently had a conflict with your friend, try sending fifteen roses. It’s a subtle but meaningful way to tell them, “I’m sorry.”
Not only do roses tell different stories by their color and quantity, but the message can also vary by the variety of roses sent from the secret messenger. For example, a thornless rose means that the admirer is stricken by love at first sight! Wild Roses are a sign of simplicity. The Rose of Sharon is a classic symbol in Biblical literature that expresses being consumed by love. And the chrysanthemum, also known as the Autumn Rose, is a traditional Chinese rose that represented the imperial family.
Some rose varieties were cultivated by horticulturists with the hopes to deliver a certain message. Hailing from the Middle East, the Damask rose is nicknamed the Persian ambassador of love. This fragrant variety symbolizes a fresh and sweet admiration. It’s a great choice to start with in your rose language experimentation. Did you know that the Peace Rose was called that name to commemorate the end of World War II? Each United Nations member was given this rose to bring back to their country and remember world peace.
While these varieties bear pleasantries, others in the rose language can make an exchange quite dramatic. If you receive a Moss Rosebud, your lover is confessing their love to you for the first time. If it’s a Christmas Rose, your lover is saying, “Relieve my anxiety!” If it’s an Amaranth Rose, they are declaring a long-term commitment to you. A Dog Rose reveals that a relationship is riddled with pleasure and pain. But if it’s a Musk Rose or a Carmine Rose, watch out! It could be a capricious or even deceitful admiration.
Hmm, maybe it’s time for a black rose move to call it off?
Now that you know more about the secret flower language of roses, try practicing it with your loved ones and see how they respond. If you’re really confident, send them a piece of art that features a rose. That way, they will be able to cherish the gift forever! Seaside Art Gallery has plenty of fine nature art with beautiful flowers.
Chelsea Reed is a copywriter who writes winning content, articles, blogs, and websites from her base in North Carolina. She might not be building sandcastles or swashbuckling with pirates these days, but the Outer Banks beaches continue to keep her young at heart.
