The History and Meaning of the Rose Tattoo (2023)

The History and Meaning of the Rose Tattoo (1)

Our symbolism of the rose is one that is rooted in love, passion. It is a thorny flower that offers us a look at what we deem to be love and affection, whether as scattered petals or wrapped up in a bouquet. This flower has ancient connotations with love, excess, and passion, not to mention significant cultural respect all over the world. The rose is recognized everywhere as an important, ubiquitous flower that holds deep meaning and respect.The Romans used rose incense and petals to showcase their wealth, as the flower requires attention and cultivating throughout the seasons. Romans were also the inventor of the term “sub rosa” which literally means “under the rose” as a phrase of confidentiality. When placed in banquet halls, conversation was meant to be confidential and kept under wraps while the roses were “present”. Since its petals were edible, many emperors took the liberty of adding the flower to dishes of all kinds for a flourish of red color and bountiful beauty.As well as this, modern takes on the symbolism of the rose include the persistence of love and compassion throughout someone’s life. Hope is another strong emotion that is associated with this flower, whether it’s the hope of love or for any other sort of zealous feeling that someone might have in their life. This nature of the rose gives it an air of mystery that can make it seem very enigmatic at first glance.The History and Meaning of the Rose Tattoo (2)

The Mysterious Rose of the Tarot

In the Tarot, the rose is shown on four different cards:

  1. The Magician, as a creator and keeper of wisdom.
  2. The Fool, with a white rose meaning purity and a peaceful mind.
  3. Death, as something knowable, intentional and irreverent.
  4. Strength, the mind and body balance.

These different cards have given the rose many faces, making each petal seem as though it tells a story. The complexity of design lends itself to a complexity of emotions, which make it ideal for individuals who want to tell a story through their art. Since everyone’s story is unique, each rose requires its own color and story too. Your story may align with one of these ideals, or perhaps many of them in combination with one another. It’s up to you how to best express what you’re trying to convey with your art, and how it will look to those who may see it.

(Video) Meaning Behind Dagger with Rose Tattoo | Chris Fernandez

Rose Tattoos

The complex nature of the rose makes it one of the most beautiful flower tattoos to design and draw for tattoo artists. A rose tattoo meaning love won or lost has been popular throughout the ages as a symbol of the highest level of passion. Beauty is in balance with emotion with this flower, and no other can replicate its beauty and historical significance.Rose tattoo design has evolved over the ages, and traditionally offered a look at the unique passions of the person who wears it. A rose shoulder tattoo can be a large and “in charge” way of showing off your art and passion, without having it be literally on your sleeve. Wherever you decide to put it, roses were meant to be seen and spoken of as any flower, marveling at their beauty and telling the story of how they came to be in full blossom.The History and Meaning of the Rose Tattoo (3)Small rose hand tattoos are a popular design for modern customers, as they are a tiny representation of something that can be largely powerful. Oftentimes, the color of the rose is considered to be just as important to its meaning. Throughout the ages, various colors have come to be seen as demonstrating the most impactful aspects of the rose, and careful cultivation has lent itself to many different variations.The History and Meaning of the Rose Tattoo (4)

  • pink roses symbolize innocence, a new love, or remembrance of a loved one.
  • a black rose tattoo can mean the loss of a loved one, in a way that represents the compassion of the flower along with the dark bleakness or reminder of death, though not always so somber as much as a memorial.
  • white roses are more mysterious, with sacred connotations and a spiritual meaning.
  • yellow roses are for joyous celebration, are more lackadaisical, and comforting, representing a solid relationship with oneself or another person.

Since a roses’ color indicates its meaning, you can research into the many different ways that it has been symbolized over the years. Black and red roses tend to be the most popular and powerful of all the emotive flowers, and they constitute a large majority of what artists tend to design for their customers.The History and Meaning of the Rose Tattoo (5)Something else to keep in mind when designing a rose tattoo are the number of flowers that end up in your final design. Whether you are representing yourself and your spouse or loved one, two roses are traditionally the most loving number, as they go hand in hand or next to one another. Two flowers together symbolizes the beauty of togetherness and the closeness of the heart, especially if the roses are red. More than two roses often takes the role of an outburst of love, whether it be for family or friends, and the compassion of caring for people.

Understanding the Rose’s Beauty

When you’re designing your rose tattoo, keep in mind all of these symbols, colors, and historical traditions. The timeless nature of this flower’s beauty makes it one of the most endearing classic-style tattoos. Many artists will have stylized representations of traditional artwork that will pique your interest, and you might even have some new ideas for them as well. Since the rose is so universally known around the world, take a look at what other cultures use it for, or how their designs influence your decision as to what kind of art you want in your piece.While you might see many rose tattoos out there in the world, know that each one is as unique as the flower itself, with a blooming possibility of hope, love, balance and passion.

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The History and Meaning of the Rose Tattoo (6)

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FAQs

What is the meaning behind rose tattoos? ›

The complex nature of the rose makes it one of the most beautiful flower tattoos to design and draw for tattoo artists. A rose tattoo meaning love won or lost has been popular throughout the ages as a symbol of the highest level of passion.

What is the history of rose tattoos? ›

The rose tattoo was first used by the Egyptians. It was believed that the rose had magical powers and would protect its wearer from evil spirits. The Romans later adopted the rose tattoo into their culture. During the Middle Ages, the rose became popular among European royalty.

How does the rose tattoo end? ›

She announces that she now feels the same burning that she felt before, and is pregnant again. She sets off with the pink silk shirt for Alvaro. This is the closing act of The Rose Tattoo and the end of this plot summary–Read on to get an in-depth analysis and more resources for this play.

How old is Rosa in the rose tattoo? ›

We learn that Serafina is pregnant, that she has a precocious 12-year old daughter, Rosa, and that she is religious.

Where did the rose tattoo originate? ›

The rose originated in Persia where it was seen as a symbol of strength. However, the meaning shifted from a strong masculine symbol into a more feminine representation of love. This change could have been inspired by The Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.

What does a single black rose tattoo mean? ›

Given that, black rose tattoos sometimes serve as reminders of mourning and remembering someone or something lost. But where there is death there is also birth, and so a black rose can also represent a farewell to something bad and a new beginning of something good — or so the Victorians thought.

What is the meaning of rose in history? ›

If one symbol represents love, power, royalty, beauty, sensuality, and mysticism–it is the rose. Also known as "the queen of flowers," the flower as we know it dates back to at least the oligocene epoch (about thirty-three to twenty-three million years ago).

What does rose stand for in US history? ›

In 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation to make the rose the floral emblem of the United States. Reagan wrote in Proclamation No. 5574: "More often than any other flower, we hold the rose dear as the symbol of life and love and devotion, of beauty and eternity

What is the history of the rose? ›

Garden cultivation of roses began some 5,000 years ago, probably in China. During the Roman period, roses were grown extensively in the Middle East. They were used as confetti at celebrations, for medicinal purposes, and as a source of perfume. Roman nobility established large public rose gardens in the south of Rome.

What happened to the rose at the end of the story? ›

Expert-Verified Answer. In the end, the boy throws the red rose into a gutter and a cart runs on the red rose, thereby crushing it. The question is in reference to the story 'The Nightingale and the Rose'.

What do the different color roses mean on tattoos? ›

Red roses are typically thought of as symbolizing romance or passionate love, but they also represent sacrifice or memorial. Pink roses are representative of healing, first love, and innocence. Blue roses signify the unattainable or the impossible. Black roses are a symbol of death and farewell.

What is the setting of the rose tattoo? ›

A film adaptation was released in 1955. The Rose Tattoo tells the story of an Italian-American widow in Mississippi who has withdrawn from the world after her husband's death and expects her daughter to do the same.

Who was the best actress in The Rose Tattoo 1955? ›

Anna Magnani won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance, and the film won Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography receiving five other nominations including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Pavan.

Who were the original members of Rose Tattoo? ›

Rose Tattoo were formed in Sydney in 1976 with Leigh Johnston on rhythm guitar, Tony Lake on lead vocals and they were led by slide guitarist Peter Wells — who had departed as bass guitarist of heavy metal band, Buffalo. Drummer Michael Vandersluys completed the line-up.

Did Rosa ever have kids? ›

More information about Kennedy's work, quotes from Parks, and advice for how kids can use similar techniques is also included in the Library's family activity kit, Remembering Rosa Parks. Although Rosa and her husband Raymond Parks had no children of their own, children were a significant part of Rosa Parks's life.

What does a rose with an eye in the middle mean? ›

The evil eye symbol has been used for centuries and dates as far back as 3,300 B.C. It is said to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits, but it's often noticed for its beauty.

What does 3 roses mean? ›

A pair of roses signifies mutual love and affection. 3… A bouquet of three roses means “I love You” and is the traditional one-month anniversary gift.

What does a rose mean on a coat of arms? ›

Rose: mark of the seventh son (a red rose symbolises grace and beauty while a white rose means love and faith) Animals. Animals were frequently used as a main charge in coats of arms.

What does a purple rose tattoo mean? ›

Roses tattoo like black rose, blue rose, purple rose, and other colors of roses tattoo has meaning as love, beauty, braveness, and sacrifice.

What is the meaning of a single yellow rose? ›

Yellow roses symbolize friendship and joy. They are also used to represent those feelings that are associated with friendship such as warmth, delight, gladness, caring, and affection. These blooms were once used to communicate jealousy, during the Victorian era.

What does a single white rose mean? ›

Like other rose colors, the white rose also brings symbolism in numbers. You can convey a strong message of hope and love with one white rose. It is pure and respectful. Out of innocence and honesty, it can acknowledge the bond between 2 people. With two roses, you show mutual love and affection.

What is the ancient rose symbol? ›

Roses were known to be a symbol of desire and secrecy in Roman mythology. Romans would reportedly put roses in their bedrooms to represent the love and beauty that Venus was known for. Roman emperors were also known for filling their bathtubs with rose petals and using them as confetti for celebrations.

What does the rose symbolize in Christianity? ›

Roses (Rosa spp.)

Red roses symbolized the shedding of Christ's blood, and sometimes referenced the charity of the Virgin Mary. White roses evoked the chastity of the Virgin, who was known as the “rose without thorns.” Many individual saints also had an association with roses in Renaissance Europe.

Why is the rose so important? ›

The association of rose with love is also a concept passed on from myths that relate how the name of Eros, the God of Love, can be rearranged to form the word 'rose'. In early Christian times, rose was often associated with the Virgin Mary's virtue.

Why is the rose important to the world? ›

Cultural Significance of Roses

In the religion of Islam, it is said the fragrance of the rose represents the sacredness of peoples' souls. In Catholicism, the fragrance is called the “odor of sanctity” and is often associated with angels. Roses are seen as a symbol of the Virgin Mary.

Is the rose a symbol of Jesus? ›

In Christian symbolism, the RED rose stands for the blood shed by Jesus on the CROSS; it has also become a symbol for earthly love, a tradition which continues today. The rose may represent the Virgin Mary, and thus virginity, or fertility and passion.

What are 3 facts about roses? ›

6 Fascinating Facts About Roses That You Probably Didn't Know
  • Roses Are One of the Oldest Flowers. ...
  • You Can Eat Roses. ...
  • Their Fragrance is Used in Perfumes. ...
  • Each Rose Color Has a Different Meaning. ...
  • The Rose is the U.S. National Flower. ...
  • The Most Expensive Rose Sold for Millions of Dollars.
Jun 29, 2022

When was rose tattoo made? ›

Rose Tattoo (song)
"Rose Tattoo"
ReleasedNovember 7, 2012
RecordedMay – July 2012 at Q Division Studios (Somerville, Massachusetts)
GenreCeltic folk folk punk
Length5:06 (Original version) 3:39 (Re-recorded version)
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