You’ve received a red rose and are curious about the meaning behind this gift? Do you want to learn about the origins of this legendary flower and how to give it effectively?
You’re in the right place.
As a florist, the red rose, along with the white rose, is the flower I work with the most every day. Symbol of romance, it is often chosen by couples to express their feelings on Valentine’s Day. Today, I will share with you everything I know about the flower known as the queen of blooms.
For centuries, the red rose has been associated with romantic passion and desire. It symbolizes the intense feelings that bind two partners together. This beautiful and delicate flower is one of the main symbols of romance, inspiring countless poets and artists throughout history. When choosing a quality rose, make sure to inspect it carefully and avoid those that are blemished, wilted, or overly open. If you change the water regularly, it can last up to 10 days in a vase and can even be dried upside down. If you’re looking for a red rose that never wilts to symbolize an everlasting love, consider an eternal rose under a glass dome or a bear made of roses.
Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:
- What is the true hidden meaning of the red rose
- What makes it famous
- How to choose a lasting red rose
- Unique gift ideas featuring this extraordinary flower
What does a red rose symbolize?
The most popular flower in France, the red rose is cherished for its vibrant color, the delicacy of its petals, and its captivating fragrance. But do you truly know what it symbolizes?
In this section, you will learn how to interpret this flower in the language of flowers, along with plenty of information about its history and amazing properties.
The Flower of Love and Passion ❤️
Arriving in Europe in the 18th century, the language of flowers originally comes from the Middle East. It allowed women confined in harems to communicate with the outside world through messages conveyed by flowers.
According to the language of flowers, the Red Rose symbolizes deep passion that binds two lovers together. It is a representation of true love and desire. Giving a red rose is the perfect way to say “I love you” to someone special.
When red roses are used in a wedding bouquet, they symbolize the joy of marriage and the admiration that the couple feels for each other.
A deep shade of red can signify that you are ready to commit to your partner and that you love them passionately.
Finally, if you want to confess your love to someone, the perfect flower is, of course, the red rose. Giving it alone will symbolize your hope for mutual feelings.
The Red Rose in Art 🖼️
This mythical flower has inspired countless artists. Among them is one of the most famous French painters, Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841 – 1919). He created numerous paintings featuring red roses.
Pierre Auguste Renoir, Vase of Roses
The rose has also inspired many poets, who have praised its beauty. Victor Hugo (1802 – 1885), a French romantic poet, said the following:
“I look at a rose and feel at peace.”
Finally, many legends explain the origins of the vibrant hue of the red rose. In ancient times, the Greeks believed that Aphrodite, the goddess of love, got hurt on a white rose bush, causing the flowers to turn red.
Some Fun Facts About Roses 💬
The red rose has captivated people for thousands of years. And it’s easy to see why! Here are some amazing facts to learn more about this remarkable flower:
- Roses are extremely ancient flowers. Archaeologists have even discovered fossilized roses dating back 35 million years!
- They are an edible flower! The petals can be consumed and are commonly used to make rose water, a flavoring that scents candies and jams.
⚠️ While rose petals are edible, do not eat them unless you are sure they have not been treated with pesticides or other toxic substances.
- In 2006, a variety of rose was sold for over $15.8 million: this is the garden rose cultivar named Juliet, created by rose breeder David Austin.
- Rose oil has been one of the main ingredients in women’s perfumes for centuries. It is extracted through a complex chemical process: it takes over two thousand roses to produce just one gram of oil!
How to Choose a Quality Red Rose?
When you’re looking to buy flowers, it’s not always easy to know how to pick them. Today, I’m sharing my expert tips for choosing red roses that will bloom beautifully and last for over ten days.
First, take a close look at the flower, paying attention to:
- The absence of brown spots on the petals: these indicate that the flower has been wet, which can cause it to rot prematurely.
- The presence of leaves on the stem: they are the first to wilt when the flower hasn’t been properly hydrated. If they are drooping, florists often remove them to maintain the beauty of the rose.
- The bloom of the flower: choose a flower that is not fully open yet and still in bud form. This will ensure its longevity in a vase. Ideally, it should just have started to open.
You can then ask the florist:
- Test by pinching the base of the flower bud: it should feel firm so that the flower can last in a vase.
- Check how long the flowers have been on display. If it’s been more than five days, I recommend avoiding that variety unless the florist has a climate-controlled chamber to store them overnight.
How Many Red Roses Should You Give?
You now know how to select quality red roses that will last a long time. However, you still need to decide how many roses you want to choose to create your bouquet.
Depending on the number presented, different interpretations can be assigned to it:
- 1 rose: “I declare my feelings for you.”
- 3 roses: “I love you!”
- 5 roses: “I admire you!”
- 7 roses: “I love you passionately!”
- 9 roses: “I love you forever.”
- 12 roses: “Will you marry me?”
- 15 roses: “I’m sorry.”
- 36 roses: “I want to confess my endless love for you.”
- 99, 100, or 101 roses: “I love you infinitely! You are the woman of my life.”
For a birthday, you can also give the number of roses that matches the person’s age. 😉
👉 The person you are giving flowers to may not know the meaning of the red rose and the number you’ve chosen. Don’t forget to explain it to them, so they can understand the significance of your gift!
How to Preserve a Red Rose?
You’ve been gifted red roses and you want to keep them? Here are some tips to help them last as long as possible.
Taking Care of Fresh Roses in a Vase
Consider changing the water every 24 to 48 hours. You can also trim the stems at an angle by about an inch to help the flowers rehydrate.
Keep your vase away from any heat sources and away from direct sunlight. At night, you can place it in a cool room like your garage: this will help your flowers last longer!
Drying Red Roses
To dry your bouquet, I recommend taking the flowers out of the water before they start to wilt. You can then hang them upside down in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area, away from direct light.
However, it will be challenging to maintain the red color, which tends to fade quickly. If you want roses that can be kept without wilting or losing their color for several years, I recommend choosing everlasting roses instead.
➡️ Want to learn more? Check out our article dedicated to preserving roses!
The Eternal Red Rose: A Symbol of Endless Passion
Are you looking for a unique gift that will surprise your partner? Are you hesitant to give natural flowers because you feel they wilt too quickly?
Here’s a gift idea that might be just right for you… It’s the Everlasting Rose!
This genuine natural rose retains its fresh flower appearance and vibrant color for years. This is made possible through a chemical process that replaces the sap with a natural stabilizing product: glycerin.
Since it never wilts and retains its bright red color, the Eternal Rose is a beautiful symbol of love. It represents your endless feelings for your partner, and its scarlet hue serves as a reminder of the passion they inspire in you.
Looking to give a lasting flower? Check out our roses under a dome 🌹 and our cuddly eternal rose bears 🧸 directly on our online store.
Take advantage of it! We’re here to answer all your questions, and shipping is free!
Now you know the secrets of the famous Red Rose… I’ll be back soon with a new article about a very special rose, the one from Beauty and the Beast!