The History of White Roses
With its clean white sparkle and the snowy-like appearance, white roses have, over the course of centuries, come to be symbolic of the innocence and the purity of the young, or a bride on her wedding day. The white rose speaks of hidden secrets waiting to be unveiled and of spirituality or spiritual love.
From the time of King Arthur there arose myth and legend that told of the beginnings of the white rose and how the first rose ever to bloom was white. Very often the white rose is seen in these legends as having been stained with a drop of crimson blood.
The Meaning of White Roses
In other legends of white roses, we hear how it was grown and bloomed a pure and virginal white, only to blush slightly pink at the kiss it received from a young woman. As time moved on, the continuing myths and legends gave rise to a symbolism that has become permanently attached to white roses. It is, today, a symbol of innocent and pure love, of childish things, of weddings and of mystical, secretive things. It symbolizes sympathy and kindness, as well as the truest kind of love, the love of a mother for a child or a husband for the woman he will marry.
White Roses in Today’s Society
White roses are known today as the bridal rose and carrying white roses, along with other white or pale hued flowers is what you will see in the traditional wedding party. They are representative of the new unity of the husband and wife and the long lasting union that will endure.
White roses are used to honor someone in its greatest symbolism. In this use, they are sent in order to honor someone who was of high value to their life. This is true whether the flowers are sent to a mentor or a friend at a birthday, an anniversary, and sometimes at a funeral. They are a very fitting way to memorialize a beloved friend or partner. They are a symbol of remembrance and honor that shows your feelings about the person who has passed. This is also a nod to spiritual love from the sender.
The next time that you have to send flowers, send white roses. White roses will fit in admirably with any other type of flower. White roses offer multiple sentiments, but always say, please know that I’m thinking of you. There is no occasion where white roses aren’t appropriate.
To view other varieties of white roses and colors of roses, go to the White Roses Gallery.
