Rose Meaning

The Meaning of White Roses – White Roses Mean Purity and Innocence

The white rose along with the pink rose is one of the oldest known varieties of roses. Because of this, white roses have a long and symbolic history. There are many myths, stories and legends from several different cultures both ancient and modern relating to the origin of the first rose. Storytellers often depict the “mother of all” roses to be a white rose.

For example, in the States, a Native Indian tribe, the Cherokees tell a story of two star-crossed lovers. The legend goes that a great Cherokee Chief fell hopelessly in love with a woman who was the daughter of the chieftain from a neighboring Creek tribe.

After peace talks broke down between the two tribes, the two lovers decided to hide her away until he could return to help her escape into his peoples’ territory. But she was found and killed before he could return.

Her grief-stricken lover buried her body, but still saddened returned the following spring to only to find her burial mound covered in wild white roses. Until that time there had been no roses found inside the Cherokee Nation. These white “Cherokee Roses” still bloom every spring in many southern US states.

White Roses – Symbols of Secrecy

During the peak of the Roman Empire, the placement of a rose across a closed doorway was a sign to all within, that the discussion was to remain secret and confidential or “sub rosa” (under the rose).

This is why even today many military or paramilitary groups either use white roses or the Latin term as symbols for silence or secrecy such as New Zealand’s “Sub Rosa”, an association for retired intelligence corps members.

White Roses – Symbols of Honor and Spirituality

During the 30 year civil conflict which came to be known as the War of the Roses, the House of York, which used white roses as their badges of honor, fought against, the House of Lancaster, who wore red roses. It was believed that the White Rose of York was at first a religious symbol representing the Virgin Mary but later came to stand for light, purity and glory in the family.

White roses have often been a symbol for loyalty, honor or steadfastness. These roses have been a symbol for endurance and the ability to keep the faith. Roses have been minted on coins, medals or printed on currency and stamps of some kind in every country in the Northern hemisphere.

Since white roses have been identified with hope and honor, they are often part of funeral arrangements or sympathy baskets for Veterans Day, Memorial Day or the passing of a loved one. But white roses also mean new beginnings. Thousands of bridal arrangements are made each year that include white roses as signs of happy love and promises of loyalty and faith to the new couple.

The Meaning of White Roses

Standing for all things innocent and pure, white roses have also come to mean silence and secrecy. Bridal bouquets with white roses have been part of modern weddings for a long time. No one is quite sure what started the practice but since white roses are also a symbol of honor and loyalty, one can see why they have become so important to the ceremony.

White Roses can mean:

• Purity
• Innocence
• Silence
• Secrecy
• Reverence
• (Bridal) Happy love

Once you understand the meaning of white roses, you can use these flowers of light to express your most genuine feelings.