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Roses are one of the world’s most cherished sources of natural beauty for all to admire, and probably the most popular subject matter when it comes to tattoos. Roses have inspired people over the ages to develop a language of roses by ascribing meanings to color, variety and number of roses being gifted. Traditionally, the rose is considered the flower of love.

Obvious symbolism may be delicate beauty or passionate love, but there is a wealth of culture behind rose symbolism that can be different based on different elements, including color and whether or not the rose is open.

It’s no coincidence that on Valentine’s Day, a celebration of romance and love, roses are what we give to exemplify the depth of our love, often developed through the experience of sweetness and sharp pricks. Nothing beats a red rose in saying "I love you" on the day of love.





To many, life's duality is represented by the rose with its gloriously and vividly colored petals and difficult to handle thorns. These characteristics are a reflection of the sweetest highs and the painful lows, and this duality is precisely what makes life so beautiful.

In tarot, the rose symbolizes balance. The beauty of this flower represents promise, hope, and new beginnings. In contrast, its thorns are an expression of defense, thoughtlessness and loss.

In Greek mythology the rose is a powerful symbol of love and adoration. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, was often portrayed with a crown of roses around her head. This can be interpreted many ways, but the association comes from a rose bush that grew within a pool of blood spilled by Adonis, her slain lover, and so a common interpretation is that the rose is a representation of an immortal love that withstands time and even death.

It is always good to know the symbolic meanings associated with roses when you are thinking about getting one tattooed for the rest of your life. When you consciously choose a certain color, variety or number of roses, you bring a whole new depth to the gesture of getting a rose inking. Find a concise list of rose flower meanings below:

An unmistakable expression of love, a red rose is a symbol of passionate love and romance, that's why people use a red rose to say "I love you" on Valentine's Day, but they also represent sacrifice or memorial. The number of red roses has special romantic meanings associated with them. 12 red roses is the most popular of all.

Pink roses are representative of joy, grace, gratitude, and affection. From palest pink to deep fuchsia, pink rose tattoos can be magnificent.

White roses are considered the purest of all and represent new beginnings and symbolize pure and undying love. It can represent innocence, hence its common association with virginal brides. White roses are also a sign of purity, of reverence, and are used to honor the memory of someone. It can also symbolize remembrance, beauty, perfection and joyfulness.

Yellow rose tattoos most commonly symbolize friendship. It can also mean joy, luck, new beginnings, and in some cases, dying love. Probably that's why cream roses are considered particularly bridal.

Black rose tattoos often symbolize mourning and death, but have also been used as a sign of strength or rebellion. They can also represent the ushering in of change and new beginnings. There is definitely something seductive about the sinister tone of a black rose tattoo.

As they are not found in nature, blue rose tattoos symbolize the allure of the impossible, the unattainable.