Single Red Rose
The Meaning of a Single Red Rose – the Single Red Rose is a Symbol of Love & Passion
A Single Red Rosebud: Purity and Loveliness, “I Love You” or “You are the One”
Red roses have been used as symbols for thousands years. The rose is over 35 millions year old and can be seen in ancient pictographs on clay pots and tablets from the Babylonians to the Chinese and Egyptian dynasties. This article will explore a little bit of the history and meaning of the single red rose.
Many myths and legends surround the red rose, and they come from all cultures and countries. For example, it was said, red roses they obtained their color from “blushing with shame” when God expelled Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.
In Hindu legend, Brahma, creator of the world, had a long disagreement with Vishnu, protector of the world, as to whether the lotus or the rose was the most beautiful. Vishnu stood for the rose, while Brahma said lotus blooms were the most attractive. Upon seeing a rose for the first time, Brahma conceded that the rose was indeed the most stunning and fashioned a bride for Vishnu from over a thousand rose petals.
Another story goes that in ancient Rome, lived the most beautiful woman in the world, Rodanthe. She had many suitors vying for her hand in marriage but she didn’t love or care for any of them. Overcome with passion and desire, her suitors broke into her home. The goddess Diana was so enraged that she turned Rodanthe into a rose and her spurned suitors into thorns on the stem, so that they could always look at her but never again touch.
It has been said that red roses were one of the exotic flowers beloved by Cleopatra. The legend goes that Cleopatra upon learning of the return of Roman general Mark Anthony, as a welcome gift, had a room so filled with fresh rose petals, that they covered his knees when he opened the door.
This grand gesture must have made an impact on more than Mark Anthony. Because soon afterwards, Roman merchants developed greenhouses so they could import and sell roses from Egypt. Roses became such a part of Roman society that one nobleman caused a riot by making starving farmers dig up their grain fields in order to plant more roses for his festival!
And it was the Romans, who like the American fairy-tale character, “Johnny Appleseed”, spread the growth of roses from the Mediterranean Sea to what is now northern France and into Great Britain.
However the red roses that we see today are actually hybrids introduced to the European market from China in the late 1700’s. These red roses had been cultivated by the Chinese and other Asian gardeners for over 5000 years. In fact red roses were first thought to have been grown in China.
A single red rose remains one of the most popular ways to convey the message, “I love you”. Famous for being a symbol for romantic passions and enduring love, a single red rose is the most frequent gift presented on Valentine’s Day, birthdays and other special occasions.
Single Red Rose Meanings
A single red rose expresses deep feelings for a loved one. A simple red rose speaks of beauty, love, courage and grace. A single rosebud, says, “I am falling in love with you” or “I care deeply for you”. While a single rose in full bloom says, “I adore you” or “I love you with all my heart”.
Once you know the secret meanings of a single red rose, you can use this special gift to express what you feel during those special moments. But no matter the occasion, a gift of a single rose is hard to resist.